Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo News 2025

[Jambo]

The Water Buffalo are now off exhibit, likely in preparation for their transfer to Taronga. It's possible they could've been transferred across already, as the mixed exhibit there with Hari the Indian Rhino was scheduled to 'open' this Spring.

A second group of Scimitar Horned Oryx are now on display in their former enclosure.

 

[Osedax]

The Water Buffalo are now off exhibit, likely in preparation for their transfer to Taronga. It's possible they could've been transferred across already, as the mixed exhibit there with Hari the Indian Rhino was scheduled to 'open' this Spring.

A second group of Scimitar Horned Oryx are now on display in their former enclosure.

The water buffalo haven't been on display for years. Which exhibit are you talking about?

 

[Jambo]

The water buffalo haven't been on display for years. Which exhibit are you talking about?

The exhibit that used to have Addax a few years back; next to the Waterhole precinct. The Addax now seem to have been moved off display as well.

 

[Osedax]

The exhibit that used to have Addax a few years back; next to the Waterhole precinct. The Addax now seem to have been moved off display as well.

That was the former water buffalo exhibit when they were last on display (2018 or 2019 I think, definitely no later than that). It has mostly held Addax or Persian Onager since then, though it had European Fallow Deer on my most recent visit (last year).

 

[Jambo]

That was the former water buffalo exhibit when they were last on display (2018 or 2019 I think, definitely no later than that). It has mostly held Addax or Persian Onager since then, though it had European Fallow Deer on my most recent visit (last year).

It seems they were only on display there for a small period then, based on you seeing Fallow Deer there during your last visit. Perhaps this move may have been to get them used to being on display again in preparation for their move to Taronga.

 

[Zoofan15]

Update on Cheetah cub:

The female cub born 22/02/2025 had been named ‘Rozi’ (Swahili for ‘Rose’) and has been paired with a puppy for social interaction as is common for singleton handraised cubs of this species (including the cub’s mother, Siri, when she was born 2015).

A Lonely Cheetah Cub at an Australian Zoo Now Has an Unlikely 'Best Friend'—a Puppy

 

[Tigergal]

Lion cubs named

From Instagram
Introducing Kaari, Mzuri and Nguvu

The 'pride' of Dubbo (Marion and Lwazi's cubs) have been named - just in time for World Lion Day!

The male cub is Nguvu, a Swahili word meaning 'strength', while one of the female cubs has been named Mzuri, meaning 'good' or 'beautiful. The third cub has been named Kaari, a ‘young girl' or 'daughter' in Kenyan culture.

 

[Zoofan15]

Update on Msumeno (hand-raised giraffe calf):

From socials:

One of the dads that calls Taronga Western Plains Zoo home is Giraffe bull Mtoto. Since arriving from Mogo Zoo, Mtoto has played an instrumental role in our breeding program for this iconic species, siring 10 calves including five in 2024.

But perhaps Mtoto's greatest fatherly achievement has been the role he has played in raising his youngest calf, Msumeno. Rejected by his mother Nyah in December 2024, after he failed to suckle, Msumeno has been hand-raised by our dedicated team of Giraffe Keepers.

Unfortunately, Msumeno was not able to be reunited with the rest of the herd, as he would not reliably respond to keepers' calls to come and feed. Instead, he was introduced to his dad, Msumeno, who was living separately from the herd so his attentions didn't distract any of the new mums from their motherly duties

Despite his one-tonne stature, Mtoto has proven a very gentle father, helping Msumeno to discover solid foods and teaching him Giraffe etiquette. Msumeno now weighs over 275 kilograms and has started to spend some time on the public habitat adjacent to the main Giraffe herd, where he has been spotted smelling and touching noses with members of the herd, and even doing zoomies with his half-siblings on the other side of the fence. It is hoped Msumeno will soon be fully weaned, and ready to become a fully-fledged member of the Zoo's Giraffe herd!

 

[Zoofan15]

Tasmanian devil update:

Better the (Tassie) Devil you know

The Zoo has welcomed three female Tasmanian Devils, Blaze, Devon and Sam, who came to Dubbo from Aussie Ark near Barrington Tops, NSW.

The new arrivals come after the Zoo said goodbye to Mija and Pecorino who both passed away due to their advanced ages.

Philus the Tasmanian Devil will live out her twilight years in the Zoo’s behind-the-scenes Tasmanian Devil facility, where keepers and veterinary staff can more easily cater to her medical needs as she ages.

 

[Zoofan15]

Spider monkey births:

A further two spider monkey infants have been born in recent months, joining Havana’s infant born March 2025.

Lion cubs on Patrol

Three baby Spider Monkeys have joined the troop on the Primate Islands, joining four rambunctious toddlers who were born in recent years. The babies can be spotted by eagle-eyed visitors from the comfort of Café Wild or – for the more adventurous – on board a pedal boat on the Savannah Lake.

———

Potential mothers include Rosa, Hiccups, Jai, Martina and Margarita. The sire is presumably the zoo’s breeding male Pedro, who has sired all other infants to date since his arrival in 2014. On that basis, I assume his daughters (Ariana, Isadora, Mica etc) are on contraception and can be excluded as candidates for the dams of these infants.

 

[Jambo]

Spider monkey births:

A further two spider monkey infants have been born in recent months, joining Havana’s infant born March 2025.

Lion cubs on Patrol

Three baby Spider Monkeys have joined the troop on the Primate Islands, joining four rambunctious toddlers who were born in recent years. The babies can be spotted by eagle-eyed visitors from the comfort of Café Wild or – for the more adventurous – on board a pedal boat on the Savannah Lake.

———

Potential mothers include Rosa, Hiccups, Jai, Martina and Margarita. The sire is presumably the zoo’s breeding male Pedro, who has sired all other infants to date since his arrival in 2014. On that basis, I assume his daughters (Ariana, Isadora, Mica etc) are on contraception and can be excluded as candidates for the dams of these infants.

Great news - the group has certainly had great success following Pedro's acquisation in 2014. This should take the number of offspring born to Pedro to 11 now; the most recent previously being a trio born in 2023, and another in 2022.

If I can remember correctly the offspring of Pedro were previously separated from the main breeding group to prevent inbreeding, and held on a neighboring island.

 

[Zoofan15]

Great news - the group has certainly had great success following Pedro's acquisation in 2014. This should take the number of offspring born to Pedro to 11 now; the most recent previously being a trio born in 2023, and another in 2022.

The previous cohort was:

0.1 born November 2022 to Rosa
0.1 born January 2023 to Hiccups
0.1 born February/March 2023 to Jai

And then a fourth infant announced March 2024.

Birth intervals in this species typically range from 16-48 months, so all mothers here are eligible to give birth again.

If I can remember correctly the offspring of Pedro were previously separated from the main breeding group to prevent inbreeding, and held on a neighboring island.

That’s surprising. This species has been notorious for rejecting its young due to females lacking the opportunity to observe maternal care. There’s been a strong emphasis on troops regularly breeding in order to provide young females with this experience, so the best place for Pedro’s daughters is in a breeding troop (on contraception to prevent inbreeding).

 

[Tiger91]

The previous cohort was:

0.1 born November 2022 to Rosa
0.1 born January 2023 to Hiccups
0.1 born February/March 2023 to Jai

And then a fourth infant announced March 2024.

Birth intervals in this species typically range from 16-48 months, so all mothers here are eligible to give birth again.


That’s surprising. This species has been notorious for rejecting its young due to females lacking the opportunity to observe maternal care. There’s been a strong emphasis on troops regularly breeding in order to provide young females with this experience, so the best place for Pedro’s daughters is in a breeding troop (on contraception to prevent inbreeding).

It may well be his older offspring that seen the last lot of infants grow up that have been separated. They have already experienced watching the young grow up during the necessary years of learning. Plus if they have separated them they may well be getting them ready for dispersal. With breeding so many, hopefully we will see some transfers to top up other zoos numbers that have dwindled.

 

[Zoofan15]

It may well be his older offspring that seen the last lot of infants grow up that have been separated. They have already experienced watching the young grow up during the necessary years of learning. Plus if they have separated them they may well be getting them ready for dispersal. With breeding so many, hopefully we will see some transfers to top up other zoos numbers that have dwindled.

Yes, that’s certainly a possibility. They’ve been breeding continuously for close to a decade now and other zoos like Auckland and Hamilton are non-breeding, with new females an advantage to their stagnating colonies (Auckland additionally need a male).

Both behavioural non-breeders and neglectful/disinterested mothers seem to be issues that are rife across the region. Hopefully the stream of mother raised females Dubbo is producing in a well socialised troop will enhance the cultures of the troops they disperse to.

 

[Tiger91]

Yes, that’s certainly a possibility. They’ve been breeding continuously for close to a decade now and other zoos like Auckland and Hamilton are non-breeding, with new females an advantage to their stagnating colonies (Auckland additionally need a male).

Both behavioural non-breeders and neglectful/disinterested mothers seem to be issues that are rife across the region. Hopefully the stream of mother raised females Dubbo is producing in a well socialised troop will enhance the cultures of the troops they disperse to.

Yes, the good news is they are a more easily imported species. They are numerous in zoo's there doesn't seem to be the import restrictions like some other species have. Which means zoos can hinge of Dubbo's females while importing new males to breed to them for genetics.

 

[Zoofan15]

Rozi the Cheetah cub has died:

From socials:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is devastated by the loss of Cheetah cub Rozi, after a short period of illness.

Born prematurely via caesarean section on 22 February 2025, Rozi spent the first two months of her life receiving around-the-clock, intensive care at the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Dubbo.

As a result of her premature birth, she exhibited some delays in her development, but she defied the odds to meet all her milestones in her own time. She was growing into a healthy, confident young Cheetah with a promising future.

Rozi’s health recently took a turn, and after extensive medical investigations involving human and animal health professionals it was discovered she had an extremely rare, terminal condition that couldn’t be cured or treated. This condition would have been present since birth but had not presented itself until she started showing symptoms in August. The compassionate decision was made to humanely euthanise her, and she passed peacefully and with dignity, surrounded by the team of keepers and veterinary staff who had devoted themselves to her care for the past six months.

 

[Zoofan15]

Female Quokka joey emerges from the pouch:

Great news! A female especially is a valuable addition to the captive population, with surplus few and far between.

Djinda was born at Dubbo herself in 2022 and previously gave birth to a male joey (Digby) in 2024.

From socials:

Quokka Djinda has been keeping a secret.

The female joey is yet to be named but is becoming more and more visible by the day!

Head to the Aussie Walkthrough and see if you can spot her!

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

The previous cohort was:

0.1 born November 2022 to Rosa
0.1 born January 2023 to Hiccups
0.1 born February/March 2023 to Jai

And then a fourth infant announced March 2024.

Birth intervals in this species typically range from 16-48 months, so all mothers here are eligible to give birth again.


That’s surprising. This species has been notorious for rejecting its young due to females lacking the opportunity to observe maternal care. There’s been a strong emphasis on troops regularly breeding in order to provide young females with this experience, so the best place for Pedro’s daughters is in a breeding troop (on contraception to prevent inbreeding).

What would you say is the (sub-)specific affiliation of the spider monkeys in Australian zoos right now?

 

[Zoofan15]

What would you say is the (sub-)specific affiliation of the spider monkeys in Australian zoos right now?

Auckland Zoo have historically been one of the powerhouses of spider monkey breeding in Australasia. Their troop was founded with A. g. geoffroyi imported from the USA in 1964 and to my knowledge has remained purebred ever since.

It’s therefore my belief any spider monkeys within the region bred at Auckland Zoo are A. g. geoffroyi, including Hamilton Zoo’s entire troop, which were either bred at Auckland Zoo or born to Auckland sourced spider monkeys.

From the New Zealand Mammals thread:

Wellington originally had a mixed-species group dating from the 1960s (containing A. belzebuth, A geoffroyi and A. hybridus). Since 2009 they have obtained animals from other NZ zoos (Auckland, Hamilton, Orana) as well as importing from overseas.

Orana's colony descends from an import of five animals (2.3) from San Francisco Zoo (USA) in 1978, at the time thought to be pure A. g. vellerosus but later shown to be subspecific-hybrids. Other animals have been added more recently from other NZ zoos (e.g. Auckland and Hamilton).

 

[Osedax]

What would you say is the (sub-)specific affiliation of the spider monkeys in Australian zoos right now?

Auckland Zoo have historically been one of the powerhouses of spider monkey breeding in Australasia. Their troop was founded with A. g. geoffroyi imported from the USA in 1964 and to my knowledge has remained purebred ever since.

It’s therefore my belief any spider monkeys within the region bred at Auckland Zoo are A. g. geoffroyi, including Hamilton Zoo’s entire troop, which were either bred at Auckland Zoo or born to Auckland sourced spider monkeys.

From the New Zealand Mammals thread:

Wellington originally had a mixed-species group dating from the 1960s (containing A. belzebuth, A geoffroyi and A. hybridus). Since 2009 they have obtained animals from other NZ zoos (Auckland, Hamilton, Orana) as well as importing from overseas.

Orana's colony descends from an import of five animals (2.3) from San Francisco Zoo (USA) in 1978, at the time thought to be pure A. g. vellerosus but later shown to be subspecific-hybrids. Other animals have been added more recently from other NZ zoos (e.g. Auckland and Hamilton).

I think I remember reading somewhere that TWPZ's group is made up of A. g. geoffroyi, A. g. vellerosus, and hybrids between the two.