@Tigergal It’ll be a massive exhibit for him. He’ll make good use of the pools though. It’s the best elephant replacement I’ve heard so far out of any zoo in the region.
@Zoofan15 I absolutely agree, I think it’s a fantastic size and will hold up well for many years to come. You’re correct that it’s the best replacement so far, but it’s also not much of a competition with insects or dinosaurs!
@Tigergal I’m holding out hope Auckland Zoo will surprise us. Their original idea was to put Southern white rhinoceros in there (a species which has been at Auckland Zoo since 1980). I was told earlier this year that they’ve gone back to the drawing board, so hopefully it’s something more inspired.
I wonder how much the phase out of Asian Elephant will have an impact to the competition with Sydney Zoo that (still) has those giants. What are the opinions/estimations of locals/people from Downunder to this point?
@zoomaniac I don’t anticipate it’ll have much impact at all as I think Taronga have played it really well. They’ve not only come up with a decent replacement, but shared it with the general public ahead of its arrival, so they have time to become excited. Visitation may even increase. Compare this to Auckland and Melbourne, where nobody knows what’s going on; and Perth, where the best they’ve come up with is making the Savannah bigger.
Yeah think it really is an exciting anticipation for the arrival of Hari from Dubbo, such amazing animals too Indian rhinos; and completely agree with you both, that Taronga have planned this really well; knowing that while it's been a neccesary but difficult decision for Pak Boon & Tang Mo to move to a way bigger home living with more elephants again, that their former home is still a decent size for Hari the rhino to enjoy for years (and maybe a female rhino to have calves together with someday, the best part is Dubbo being their sister zoo, the additional larger living space is forever the option easily rearranged to swap between for their needs when they can also).
Am certain all visitors are going to be so captivated by him, as seeing Dora his dad was like 20 years ago, and Kua few years later too. The three water buffalos who will be his 'room-mates' will really 'compliment' him too (always thought are really striking animals too in their own unique way water buffalos). Agree there are probably only a very few number of large animals in the world who can really have a big ''wow'' impression to people when getting to see them (elephants will of course always have their own unique ''wow'' but that's because they are uniquely special in their own amazing way, but it's so great that will get to have rhino back at Taronga, and a rarely seen species at that (even though they're all awesome), and in much more appropriately sized living space for their needs, might not be open range sized, but city zoos never can match; as general rule of more limited space - but so long as its decent sized, and it is, so win-win hey.
When saw your photo the other day Tigergal of the the work being done to the facade of the exhibit too, not just working on the interior for any changes need for Hari & the buffalos; was really great to see that they are really going into the full work of geo-environmental and geo-cultural theming of Hari and other Indian rhino's wild home origins in India and Nepal etc; given Taronga always does put that sort of thought out detail in, probably shouldnt have felt so surprised, but still thought was really good to see. So true though that while a savannah expansion at say Perth Zoo will benefit their white rhinos, giraffes and zebras - theres no other replacements for loss of Asian eles' at Melbourne or Auckland with insects and robotic dinosaur models at the moment (well Perth too with the latter currently short term). Hopefully they really are short term plans for them all.
