It was a bad mistake that should never had happen bad management
Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
There are enough smaller regional zoos in the region that could take spare males if given the option
Darling Downs, Altina, Hunter Valley and Mogo would be my top picks. All have been proactive in expanding their collections. Potentially Tasmania Zoo and Australia Zoo could be interested also.
The region already has males, so females are needed demographically speaking; but additional male founders would enhance genetics since all Australia’s males are related.
Don't be too surprised if all the current males are allowed to past away without further breeding.
I agree about what you mentioned about the regional zoos bar the AZ they have never had any antelopes ever!
Well Taronga's male is quite old at the present time, and Monarto's male won't be getting any younger come any imports made.
The future of Bongos regionally really relies on the younger two males at Dubbo (full siblings); so in the event of an import, acquiring at least one other male should be a priority for genetics sake.
Given this google earth image was taken by satellite in February this year, does it seem like something is being constructed in Gung and the camel's old yard perhaps? the western portion.
That’s interesting. I hope it’s for something more imaginative than a shelter for the train that’s supposedly filling in for the SkySafari until that’s operational in a few years.
Considering Taronga’s topography, this flat expanse of land is a rare opportunity to build something worthwhile.
That makes sense (d'oh, train/tram stop, why).
Just found google earth has satellite images that go back to at least 2002 (probably earlier), the only thing is havent worked out how to turn off labels (any current labels like the location of the current seal show ampitheatre and the tiger trek complex for example, the labels remain where they are today without working out how to hide them) other than that it's an actual satellite image of Taronga Zoo from October 2002 (I put a tiny light orange square marking where at the time, Dora the Indian rhino was residing, in whats now part of the giraffe, zebra and ostrich enclosure as we all know; was also where ill-fated Kua and the black rhino briefly before were living, the yard mostly home to zebras in the 1990s and think 1980s too, and 2000s when no rhino individuals, 2010s, ostriches too sometimes).
Taronga 17 Oct 2002
Find it exciting and interesting too as not knowing it goes back that far for Taronga, it would go back that far (hopefully further) for other zoos and places too.
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That makes sense. So exciting just found google earth has satellite images that go back to at least 2002 (probably earlier), the only thing is havent worked out how to turn off labels (any current labels like the location of the current seal show ampitheatre and the tiger trek complex for example, the labels remain where they are today without working out how to hide them) other than that it's an actual satellite image of Taronga Zoo from October 2002 (I put a tiny light orange square marking where at the time, Dora the Indian rhino was residing, in whats now part of the giraffe, zebra and ostrich enclosure as we all know; was also where ill-fated Kua and the black rhino briefly before were living, the yard mostly home to zebras in the 1990s and think 1980s too, and 2000s when no rhino individuals, 2010s, ostriches too sometimes).
Taronga 17 Oct 2002
Find it exciting and interesting too as not knowing it goes back that far for Taronga, it would go back that far (hopefully further) for other zoos and places too.
Thanks for sharing. It’s always fascinating to compare maps of zoos over the years and what’s changed and what’s stayed the consistent (e.g historic buildings/exhibits such as the Koala House and Elephant House).
It’ll be great to see rhinoceros make a return to Taronga. As a species, they’re far more prevalent in city zoos than elephants and hippopotamus - with the phase out of the latter no doubt attributable to the space needed to be dedicated to filtration equipment.
@Zoofan15 Ok will officially go on the record too and despair if it is for a train stop, surely sky safari is enough and the hotel. Also the ideas you and Jambo and Zorro have suggested really think is the way forward (even if Taronga just works with half of the plans, would prefer pretty much all). Just wish Congo precinct could be a go ahead and maybe the old seal pools could be utilised too in some form as part of it (and that okapis and newly imported bongos to reboost the population) were both going to happen.
Thank you. Above all else, I think Taronga should prioritise gorillas. They’re their flagship species and the current exhibit, which was hastily renovated ahead of the Apenheul import in 1996 has long been considered too small to manage a breeding troop.
Building a purpose built gorilla complex, with space to hold a bachelor troop would enable the zoo to breed regularly. This would be invaluable in building up female numbers in the main troop (or providing other zoos in the region with Taronga bred females); and in addition to accomodating the three adolescent males on site, any future male infants bred could join this troop over the coming years.
100% agree about the gorillas.
Hey theres also these satellite images
2005
2006
In the event an exchange was undertaken with Melbourne Zoo of Frala and Mbeli for Kanzi, this would give Taronga Zoo the following troops:
Breeding troop:
1.0 Kibale (2001)
0.1 Johari (2000) - non-breeding
0.1 Kanzi (2015)
Bachelor troop:
1.0 Mjuuku (2014)
1.0 Fabumi (2015)
1.0 Mwamba (2017)
A new complex with exhibits for the breeding troop and bachelor troop could be constructed; with Taronga’s adolescent males moving into the smaller exhibit in the interim and Kanzi being taken off contraception to produce her first infant.
Kanzi could produce four infants at natural birth intervals:
2026
2029
2034
2037
Males (hopefully no more than 2-3) could join the bachelor troop in a cohort; females born in the first two slots (offspring of a middle aged father) could be transferred to other zoos e.g. Mogo (as they’d be granddaughters of Melbourne’s silverback); and females from the later two slots (offspring of an older father) could be retained for succession of the troop in anticipation of Kibale passing on.
Melbourne’s Gorilla Rainforest could easily house a breeding troop of a silverback, three females and their young of various ages. Kimya’s death (completely unforeseen) is a timely reminder no troop should be allowed to dwindle to a single adult female. Mogo’s is similarly precarious given two of the three females are in their mid-40’s, though at least they tried to bring in an additional female.
Sure, though what I’d be most interested to see is Auckland Zoo maps. Post away!
I agree that should never happen someone took their eye off the ball
The thing sunbears have going for them is essentially a mass production line of bears to pool from. Sanctuaries have had some breeding occur. If we could target those animals we may see better results. Otherwise it is most likely keep throwing the dart and seeing when we hit a breeder and try expanding that way. Most of Asia is plagued with TB, even the humans at the moment. obvious unwell health aside for the bears. We arn't screening the humans from Bali, im not sure why we'd need to be so concerned with the bears its not anything the humans arnt doing
Sun bears id say are very pertinent to Taronga. In the not to distant future Taronga will be without them. Mr Hobbs was arguably one of the most popular animals at the zoo. To loose them without reaquiring would be a PR disaster after the elephants have moved on. This is an issue Taronga will be facing and probably already doing so. There's not really anything regionally that can replace a bear.
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To be honest, I think the best hope of retaining sun bear in the region long term is to hope breeding picks up in Europe to the point they see fit to spare a couple of young females. Hopefully in their reproductive lifetimes (up to 18 years approx), males will become available - but right now that’s little more than a pipe dream sadly.
Sun bear I would argue are also one of there most popular animals. Mister Hobbs was an iconic TZ animal. There are always large crowds when Mary is out wandering around. Especially when you add the conservation message behind them. Plus bears, big cats, monkeys and elephants are you typical popular zoo animals. And we only have one true species of bear regionally.
ETA: We have two true bears pandas are our second, my bad.
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I believe more like shock
When the announcements happen we won't hear from you for a month!
Yes, bears would definitely be up there.
A century ago, big cats, bears, great apes and elephants were the most popular animals in any zoo and very little has changed in that regard. Due to their relevance to pop culture, bears have remained popular with young and old alike.
Sun bears are particularly unique. They’re also known as the dog bear and half bear/half dog seems an apt way to describe them.
I think it's time a new bear species is considered for the region. Andean Bears also carry great conservation value and would be great drawcards for any South American precincts!