Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

Jambo said:
It's possible that Adelaide may have conceived to Moby following the birth of Gary in February of last year. Even if she hasn't, Storm is back on site following his return from Taronga, and so should be able to breed with both her and the other breeding female (Miri) if he hasn't already.
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Australian sea lion pups are born between January to June according to most sources (I note Taronga has had a range of December to July).

With this in mind, the failure of any of the Taronga females (Nala, April and Amalie) to produce a pup in the next three months likely means any future pups sired by Storm will be coming in December 2025-March 2026 (if at all). There may have been no successful pregnancies from his stay.
 
Something else I forgot to mention from Saturday's visit: A viewing area has been opened up looking into the giraffe barn. I suppose this was built along with the barn, but Saturday was the first time I had seen the roller doors open. There were no giraffes in the barn at the time of my visit, however.

I also thought I would share this story about the chimps: Niambi was very active, climbing across the high ropes. Cekiri was trying to be adventurous, but Ceres kept going to fetch her, so they eventually compromised on a spot with a few other adults around so she could venture a bit further. Meanwhile, Lisa was letting Lemba climb all over the place (albeit not as high as her half-brother/cousin, Niambi, was).

A good example of the different parenting styles amongst Taronga's chimps, with Lisa being an older, experienced mother and Ceres being very protective of her daughter after losing her previous offspring, Cebele.
 
Abbey said:
Something else I forgot to mention from Saturday's visit: A viewing area has been opened up looking into the giraffe barn. I suppose this was built along with the barn, but Saturday was the first time I had seen the roller doors open. There were no giraffes in the barn at the time of my visit, however.

I also thought I would share this story about the chimps: Niambi was very active, climbing across the high ropes. Cekiri was trying to be adventurous, but Ceres kept going to fetch her, so they eventually compromised on a spot with a few other adults around so she could venture a bit further. Meanwhile, Lisa was letting Lemba climb all over the place (albeit not as high as her half-brother/cousin, Niambi, was).

A good example of the different parenting styles amongst Taronga's chimps, with Lisa being an older, experienced mother and Ceres being very protective of her daughter after losing her previous offspring, Cebele.
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Thanks for sharing @Abbey. It’s always fascinating to observe the different parenting styles of the chimpanzees.

Anecdotally, it seems like the ranking of the female also influences her protectiveness of her infant. Ceres is a middle to low ranking female, so despite having some experience (this is her third infant with her first being a male that died at the age of 10 years in 2008), she keeps her offspring close for its protection.

Compare this to Kuma, who was one of Taronga’s highest ranking females upon the birth of Fumo (her second surviving infant). She was a relaxed mother, allowing Sule to carry him off from a very early age.

Lisa has held a high ranking position for decades. She benefited from the support of her high ranking mother while raising her first two offspring (Lobo and Lubutu) and by the time her third infant (Lani) was born, she was the mother of the alpha male.

Shiba was noted to have been a very protective mother to Sembe. Unlike Lisa and Sacha, she didn’t have a mother to support her while raising Shabani and Samaki and surely would have found it a struggle. Her second infant was even attacked by Koko, who at the time was considered a rival. As Shiba attained a higher ranking position in the community, she’s been more relaxed with her last two infants (albeit still a helicopter parent).
 
Asian elephant transfer likely April 28-30:

Taronga Zoo have announced this weekend will be the last chance to see their elephants, indicating they will be on site until at least April 27.

They’ve previously announced the transfer will be late April, leaving the last three days as candidate transfer dates.

The intention here was presumably to take advantage of the crowds that come with the long weekend (from both a gate talking perspective and giving an increased number of people a chance to see them).
 
Zoofan15 said:
Asian elephant transfer likely April 28-30:

Taronga Zoo have announced this weekend will be the last chance to see their elephants, indicating they will be on site until at least April 27.

They’ve previously announced the transfer will be late April, leaving the last three days as candidate transfer dates.

The intention here was presumably to take advantage of the crowds that come with the long weekend (from both a gate talking perspective and giving an increased number of people a chance to see them).
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Article about the elephant move:

It implied that Hari (Indian rhinoceros) will be transferred over in the near future (as opposed to them filling the elephant exhibit with animatronic dinosaurs for half a year like Auckland and Perth). Indian rhinoceros are an ideal fit for this exhibit, so renovations should be minimal.

After a century in Sydney, Taronga Zoo says goodbye to its elephants

Mr Kerr said Hari, the one-horned rhino who was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo in 2021, would soon take up residence along with some water buffalo.

"We are calling this the great migration, so it's very exciting. We are bringing down Indian rhino, greater one-horned rhino,” he said.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Asian elephant transfer likely April 28-30:

Taronga Zoo have announced this weekend will be the last chance to see their elephants, indicating they will be on site until at least April 27.

They’ve previously announced the transfer will be late April, leaving the last three days as candidate transfer dates.

The intention here was presumably to take advantage of the crowds that come with the long weekend (from both a gate talking perspective and giving an increased number of people a chance to see them).
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As expected - they'll likely want to be avoiding long weekend traffic too. And also the rain this weekend.

If they're wanting to avoid the rain, Monday would be the best day for the move.
Zoofan15 said:
Article about the elephant move:

It implied that Hari (Indian rhinoceros) will be transferred over in the near future (as opposed to them filling the elephant exhibit with animatronic dinosaurs for half a year like Auckland and Perth). Indian rhinoceros are an ideal fit for this exhibit, so renovations should be minimal.

After a century in Sydney, Taronga Zoo says goodbye to its elephants

Mr Kerr said Hari, the one-horned rhino who was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo in 2021, would soon take up residence along with some water buffalo.

"We are calling this the great migration, so it's very exciting. We are bringing down Indian rhino, greater one-horned rhino,” he said.
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Hari will be moved across in Spring. Taronga will take the next few months to conduct the necessary renovations to the complex before being able to welcome Hari and the Water Buffalo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Article about the elephant move:

It implied that Hari (Indian rhinoceros) will be transferred over in the near future (as opposed to them filling the elephant exhibit with animatronic dinosaurs for half a year like Auckland and Perth). Indian rhinoceros are an ideal fit for this exhibit, so renovations should be minimal.

After a century in Sydney, Taronga Zoo says goodbye to its elephants

Mr Kerr said Hari, the one-horned rhino who was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo in 2021, would soon take up residence along with some water buffalo.

"We are calling this the great migration, so it's very exciting. We are bringing down Indian rhino, greater one-horned rhino,” he said.
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The water buffalo in question will be three males.

Reported at a keeper talk last Saturday 19/04/2025.
 
Osedax said:
Larry, Curly and Moe I believe. These three buffaloes have been living off display at Dubbo for a few years now, with a transfer to Sydney Zoo from 2019 to 2022 as companions for Saigon the elephant.
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Oh, that's so cool that these particular water buffaloes have good experience on their resume of living in a mixed-species exhibit (this time with a rhino, rather than an elephant) and will be returning to the big smoke again. Even though an elderly female elephant is different from a young male rhino, hopefully their experience will contribute to a smooth introduction.
 
Abbey said:
Oh, that's so cool that these particular water buffaloes have good experience on their resume of living in a mixed-species exhibit (this time with a rhino, rather than an elephant) and will be returning to the big smoke again. Even though an elderly female elephant is different from a young male rhino, hopefully their experience will contribute to a smooth introduction.
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While companion animals of other species are rarely successful in serving as companions to elephants (presumably due to their complex social repertoire), Asian water buffalo have been proven as effective companions to Indian rhinoceros - namely Hari’s sire while he waited the arrival of the female.
 
Abbey said:
Oh, that's so cool that these particular water buffaloes have good experience on their resume of living in a mixed-species exhibit (this time with a rhino, rather than an elephant) and will be returning to the big smoke again. Even though an elderly female elephant is different from a young male rhino, hopefully their experience will contribute to a smooth introduction.
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I believe (though am not entirely sure) that these three were also kept with Dora (Indian rhino for those who don't know) at some point.
Edit: Cross-posted with @Zoofan15
 
Younesmark said:
Anyone know about the history of these three bulls and ever there were plans to breed them ?

Something majestic about these cattle that trumps domestic ones .
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I assume they were bred on site at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It appears the three males live solely as a bachelor herd (and may even be castrated).

The region has at least nine holders of Asian water buffalo (in addition to private holders) and facilities like Altina Wildlife Park are regularly breeding them. They have a breeding herd of at least 15, including calves born this year. Bulls will inevitably be in surplus, so I doubt there’s ever been a plan to breed with Larry, Curly and Moe; but rather maintain them as a cohesive herd.
 
Osedax said:
Larry, Curly and Moe I believe. These three buffaloes have been living off display at Dubbo for a few years now, with a transfer to Sydney Zoo from 2019 to 2022 as companions for Saigon the elephant.
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Zoofan15 said:
I assume they were bred on site at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It appears the three males live solely as a bachelor herd (and may even be castrated).

The region has at least nine holders of Asian water buffalo (in addition to private holders) and facilities like Altina Wildlife Park are regularly breeding them. They have a breeding herd of at least 15, including calves born this year. Bulls will inevitably be in surplus, so I doubt there’s ever been a plan to breed with Larry, Curly and Moe; but rather maintain them as a cohesive herd.
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Interesting to hear it will be those three - I do recognise their names and perhaps it's from when they lived with Saigon at Sydney.

Their names in particular are also in reference of the famous 'threes stooges' and American comedic trio from the 20th century.

I know Dubbo have breed Water Buffalo in the distant past, but I'm not sure whether they have in recent decades. It's possible Dubbo acquired these three from a private facility - and then named the trio after the famous movie stars.
 
Zoofan15 said:
I assume they were bred on site at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It appears the three males live solely as a bachelor herd (and may even be castrated).

The region has at least nine holders of Asian water buffalo (in addition to private holders) and facilities like Altina Wildlife Park are regularly breeding them. They have a breeding herd of at least 15, including calves born this year. Bulls will inevitably be in surplus, so I doubt there’s ever been a plan to breed with Larry, Curly and Moe; but rather maintain them as a cohesive herd.
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Many thanks !
 
Two things from today:

- The Cotton-top Tamarins have moved back onto their island.

- Not so much news, as something interesting that I noticed. Both Malurus lamberti (Variegated Fairy Wren) and M. assimilis (Purple-backed Fairy Wren) are signed for the Finch Aviary, though with the same common name (Variegated) and distribution map. The reason for the two signs is to help visitors distinguish between the male and female fairy wrens in the exhibit. However, the male is signed as M. lamberti and the female as M. assimilis.
 
Osedax said:
Two things from today:

- The Cotton-top Tamarins have moved back onto their island.

- Not so much news, as something interesting that I noticed. Both Malurus lamberti (Variegated Fairy Wren) and M. assimilis (Purple-backed Fairy Wren) are signed for the Finch Aviary, though with the same common name (Variegated) and distribution map. The reason for the two signs is to help visitors distinguish between the male and female fairy wrens in the exhibit. However, the male is signed as M. lamberti and the female as M. assimilis.
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So no more in the Moore Park Aviary?
 
Osedax said:
And finally a question: How many red pandas does the zoo currently have? I saw 4 today.
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Zoofan15 said:
The zoo had/has five red pandas:

1.0 Pabu (24/12/2012) Sagar x Bo
0.1 Zeya (08/12/2021) Pabu x Amala
0.1 Daiyu (08/12/2021) Pabu x Amala
1.0 Keisho (01/12/2023) Pabu x Daiyu
0.1 Khyana (01/12/2023) Pabu x Daiyu

However, it would come as no surprise if one of these had transferred out. Breeding season is in June-August in the Southern Hemisphere, so they’ll likely be a number of transfers over the coming weeks in time for introductions in a couple of months.
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Nepalese red panda update:

The missing red panda is Zeya, who has transferred to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary:

0.1 Zeya (08/12/2021) Pabu x Amala

Assuming Taronga hasn’t received any red pandas of late, this means Pabu is alive and well:

1.0 Pabu (24/12/2012) Sagar x Bo
0.1 Daiyu (08/12/2021) Pabu x Amala
1.0 Keisho (01/12/2023) Pabu x Daiyu
0.1 Khyana (01/12/2023) Pabu x Daiyu

It’ll be interesting to see if the zoo receives a male in the future to pair with Daiyu.
 
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