Taronga's great southern Oceans

this is the 'seal habitat' pool wich is directaly behind the theater. it has vewing from this level and then further down through port holes

I like how there are bits of the rockwork cut out to show some of the great views taronga has.

i think this pool is quite impressive too. one thing i would love to see more of in seal pools generally is more underwater objects for the animals to manouver around....like rocks etc

Or toys. At melbourne sometimes they had balls and stuff that the seals would play with all of the time. Even in an enclosure that is meant to look natural you could have toys disguised as rocks, seaweed(or real seaweed) or the occasional plastic bag.LOL

there are so many things which could be incorporated as enrichment...water currents and water jets, oxygen bubbles, wave simulators, and rocky crevices, kelp or weed forests and areas where live fish could steal away to

have to say im really impressed with tarongas southern oceans exhibits.

I seen this for the first time the other week although i didnt get a good look around (at the zoo with uni so had to keep moving ) I was impressed by it , it looked pretty cool

GSO is pretty terrific---
the penguin exhibit is the best i have ever seen for Little penguins, and the pelican enclosure is amazing.
the seal habitat pool, lower seal pool for Australian sea-lions and leopard seal viewing gallery are all incredible. however, for the price tag i would like to have seen a few other things included. i believe Taronga neglected a great chance here to interpret and exhibit the birds of the heath and shoreline, as well as some of the treasures you can find in rock pools. there is a lot of 'empty' space in this exhibit which could have been used to exhibit more animals...not that i like to see animals crammed in but if you can do it for Asian elephants than you can do it for Pied Oystercatchers.
I would also like to have seen mangroves interpreted, sea-turtles (with a fake rookery) and live exhibits of sting-rays, weedy sea-dragons etc.
this is where Taronga astounds me that you it spent over $50 million trying to portray a marine environment without a single fish.

yes i sort of agree, adding seabirds yes! but sydney aquarium has all the rays and fish if people are keen to see them. more species of penguins would be awesome.

Sydney Aquarium also has seals and penguins too, that doesnt stop Taronga having them too.
I stand by my point, its a great exhibit but it could of used more live animal exhibits to better interpret the ocean habitat...behind every great show there is a support cast.