Taronga Zoo A Review of Taronga Zoo

[AWP]

Great report, brings back memories to me!

After many years of seeing Rufous Bettongs it was great to finally see a different bettong species.

For me it was quite the opposite. I won’t say that woylies are common in Europe, but I have seen the species now and then in the past twenty years. Long-nosed potoroo is a relative new addition to European collections, but I have the feeling it outnumbers the woylie by now. Rufous bettong was new to me. I would an other potoroid to my list in the final days of my trip, the tropical bettong.

This enclosure housed Long-nosed Bandicoot, Common Ringtail Possum and Tawny Frogmouth. All three species were very active during my visit.

Long-nosed bandicoot was the biggest no-show for me, as it wasn’t kept in one of the others zoos in Australia I visited.

I soon came to the realization that I was witnessing the full-display and mimicry of a male Superb Lyrebird!

I have been searching for lyrebirds in the aviary, but wasn’t succesfull. However, I would see one in the wild later on.

the first enclosure I briefly saw contained a pool for Fiordland Penguin from a distance (I saw at least three individuals however a lot of their enclosure was away from public view).

Got only a distant view of the Fiordland penguins too, a pity as it was a new species to me.

The Tuatara was next with a nice rocky enclosure unfortunately it remained unseen.

Didn’t see it either, unfortunately. Not the biggest deception though, as I saw it on two of my three visits to Zoo Berlin.

You might be wondering to yourself after reading the 5500-word walk through of the zoo, how did I overall rate Taronga Zoo? In short, very highly.

The nocturnal house, bird aviaries and the reptile house easily won me over. They all had their own unique features and details, and were all well-thought-out. The overall atmosphere, the panoramic views and the historical elements of zoo all made for a very positive experience. The rest of the zoo was really hit and miss at times. Some of the enclosures (especially for the charismatic megafauna) lacked, facing inevitable space constraints, whilst others areas and exhibits excelled with innovation and ingenuity. Taronga Zoo is a place of great juxtaposition with a unique mix of the brilliant and at times, the mediocre.

I was a bit disappointed after my visit, but I think I expected to much as I was dreaming to visit Taronga for many years. It was just like you wrote, some sections are really great (I would say the same top-three as you), but some weren’t that special. However, world class zoo, no doubt.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Thanks for the reply; it's really interesting to read about your experiences at the zoo.

For me it was quite the opposite. I won’t say that woylies are common in Europe, but I have seen the species now and then in the past twenty years. Long-nosed potoroo is a relative new addition to European collections, but I have the feeling it outnumbers the woylie by now. Rufous bettong was new to me. I would an other potoroid to my list in the final days of my trip, the tropical bettong.

I thought that would be the case with most overseas visitors. It seems like Rufous Bettong are slowly spreading to a few European zoos following Hamerton's import.

Long-nosed bandicoot was the biggest no-show for me, as it wasn’t kept in one of the others zoos in Australia I visited.

I got lucky with the bandicoot as I didn't see it the first time round through the nocturnal house. I returned later in the afternoon whilst it was being fed. Still haven't seen a stick-nest rat though.

I have been searching for lyrebirds in the aviary, but wasn’t succesfull. However, I would see one in the wild later on.

I really didn't expect to see a lyrebird in this aviary (mainly because I forgot there was one in there!) If the lyrebird hadn't started its vocal display I would have completely missed it. I don't think I mentioned this in the review but it was well-hidden, behind a meshed area the general public couldn't directly access. I think you were well and truly compensated by seeing one in the wild!

 

[AWP]

Still haven't seen a stick-nest rat though.

I did see it in Taronga, but I had the best view on it in Alice Springs, where a stick-nest rat was kept in a outside enclosure.

I think you were well and truly compensated by seeing one in the wild!

I saw one in a forested gorge/valley in the Blue Mountains. It was a female, so I was doubting at first if it was a lyrebird as it hadn't that specific tail. Wonderfull bird, almost pheasant-like songbird.

 

[DaLilFishie]

Between Taronga and the National Zoo in Canberra, which would you recommend? I'm hoping to have the opportunity to visit either of them (covid-allowing of course), so which would you suggest? Currently leaning towards Taronga as from what pictures I've seen, the National Zoo in Canberra looks a bit lackluster.

 

[Zoofan15]

Between Taronga and the National Zoo in Canberra, which would you recommend? I'm hoping to have the opportunity to visit either of them (covid-allowing of course), so which would you suggest? Currently leaning towards Taronga as from what pictures I've seen, the National Zoo in Canberra looks a bit lackluster.

@WhistlingKite24 will be able to give a more insightful response; but my impression is that Taronga Zoo has better quality (world class) exhibits, a decent reptile collection (33 species) and an extensive bird collection (at least 59 species); while the National Zoo has a greater variety of exotic mammals - with spacious; but less imaginative exhibits.

Exotic mammals the National Zoo has (that Taronga doesn’t) include Sri Lankan leopard, hybrid tiger, Cheetah, Spotted hyena, African wild dog, Barbary sheep, Serval, Siamang, Southern white rhinoceros, Indian antelope, Eland and Black and white ruffed lemur. Assuming you’ve seen most or all of these species before, Taronga Zoo is the better option in my opinion.

I’d also recommend comparing this first rate review by @WhistlingKite24 with another (by @akasha) to get a through overview of both: National Zoo and Aquarium Review (January 2022) [National Zoo and Aquarium]

 

[DaLilFishie]

@WhistlingKite24 will be able to give a more insightful response; but my impression is that Taronga Zoo has better quality (world class) exhibits, a decent reptile collection (33 species) and an extensive bird collection (at least 59 species); while the National Zoo has a greater variety of exotic mammals - with spacious; but less imaginative exhibits.

Exotic mammals the National Zoo has (that Taronga doesn’t) include Sri Lankan leopard, hybrid tiger, Cheetah, Spotted hyena, African wild dog, Barbary sheep, Serval, Siamang, Southern white rhinoceros, Indian antelope, Eland and Black and white ruffed lemur. Assuming you’ve seen most or all of these species before, Taronga Zoo is the better option in my opinion.

I’d also recommend comparing this first rate review by @WhistlingKite24 with another (by @akasha) to get a through overview of both: National Zoo and Aquarium Review (January 2022) [National Zoo and Aquarium]

Thanks for this! I have not seen any of those mammals, besides the Siamang, but to be perfectly honest I am not too interested in most mammals. Taronga's bird collection seems much more interesting, plus I can't say no to Platypus! And thanks for the review for the National Zoo, I had looked for one but couldn't find any.

Taronga doesn't still have the Leopard Seal does it?

EDIT: after having a look through the National Zoo review, I think I can say with certainty I would prefer visiting Taronga. I was especially interested in what is kept in the aquarium, but there's nothing in there that I haven't already seen. I guess Taronga it is then!

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for this! I have not seen any of those mammals, besides the Siamang, but to be perfectly honest I am not too interested in most mammals. Taronga's bird collection seems much more interesting, plus I can't say no to Platypus! And thanks for the review for the National Zoo, I had looked for one but couldn't find any.

Taronga doesn't still have the Leopard Seal does it?

You’re very welcome.

No, sadly Taronga doesn’t have Leopard seals. Their last one (and indeed the last captive one in the region) died in February 2014.

 

[StoppableSan]

You’re very welcome.

No, sadly Taronga doesn’t have Leopard seals. Their last one (and indeed the last captive one in the region) died in February 2014.

I assume they have their hands full with pinnipeds at the moment, but what's the probability that Taronga could take in a rescued leopard seal again?

 

[Zoofan15]

I assume they have their hands full with pinnipeds at the moment, but what's the probability that Taronga could take in a rescued leopard seal again?

Pretty slim sadly. Casey and his predecessors were found injured on Sydney beaches and deemed unreleasable. An international environmental agreement prevents them from being returned to Antarctica in case they transfers diseases into the fragile southern environment.

It’s not common to see them this far from Antarctica, but there have been a few over the years. Marineland in New Zealand has also held a few.

 

[Zoofan15]

@DaLilFishie @StoppableSan

A note that Taronga’s Leopard seal was not only the only captive Leopard seal in the region upon his death, but was the only captive Leopard seal in the world. Seems obvious when you consider the proximity of Australasia to Antarctica compared to other regions.

Aside from being a fascinating attraction for the zoo, Casey provided the marine mammal keepers with unique husbandry experience. He was also the subject of research into captive Leopard seals, providing a unique dataset.

 

[Jambo]

I assume they have their hands full with pinnipeds at the moment, but what's the probability that Taronga could take in a rescued leopard seal again?

They currently hold three different pinniped species; Australian Sea Lions, New Zealand Fur Seals, and Californian Sea Lions. The former Leopard Seal enclosure is currently occupied by some of their breeding New Zealand Fur Seals and Australian Sea Lions, so I'm not sure they even have the space too at the moment.

If a Leopard Seal does end up stranded and in need of a new home, Taronga could provide for this. Although the chances of one ending up on a Sydney beach, then needing care, and then needing a new home in captivity is very unlikely.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Between Taronga and the National Zoo in Canberra, which would you recommend? I'm hoping to have the opportunity to visit either of them (covid-allowing of course), so which would you suggest? Currently leaning towards Taronga as from what pictures I've seen, the National Zoo in Canberra looks a bit lackluster.

If you generally prefer the smaller critters like I do than definitely Taronga. I should note however that there have been several changes since this review:

• the nocturnal house is currently closed and wont be open for a year or so, placing a big dent in their native mammal collection currently. The platypus house is no longer there either but their platypus are still housed outdoors.

• the bush bird aviaries I praised so highly have been quietly demolished and replaced with a facility for Northern Corroboree Frogs. A worthwhile cause of course but it shouldn't have come at cost of these historic aviaries. The zoo still has a few aviaries including the wonderful Blue Mountains Bush Aviary, the rainforest aviary, the Moore Park aviary and the aviaries near the south-east Asian mammals. A few new species not mentioned in my review like Crested Bellbird and White-rumped Shama are noteworthy.

• the reptile house remains largely same but will soon be replaced with a new reptile/amphibian habitat in the centre of the zoo. I should note species I mentioned like the Fijian Banded Iguana and Solomon Islands Boa have now died out after I wrote the review.

 

[Riley]

Possibly worth mentioning that when I went about a month ago the moore park aviary didn’t have any birds, instead it was quite interestingly housing a red panda

 

[Jambo]

Possibly worth mentioning that when I went about a month ago the moore park aviary didn’t have any birds, instead it was quite interestingly housing a red panda

I visited back in January and the aviary was empty of birds too. A Red Panda is an interesting addition to the aviary though! It must've been their male Pabu, who was likely moved to allow additional space for Amala and their new cubs.

 

[Zoofan15]

Between Taronga and the National Zoo in Canberra, which would you recommend? I'm hoping to have the opportunity to visit either of them (covid-allowing of course), so which would you suggest? Currently leaning towards Taronga as from what pictures I've seen, the National Zoo in Canberra looks a bit lackluster.

Historical Architecture:

Another note about Taronga Zoo is that being an older zoo (1916), it has some stunning historical architecture if you’re into history.

Here’s two of the many historical highlights:


Photo taken by @Hix


Photo taken by @WhistlingKite24

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Possibly worth mentioning that when I went about a month ago the moore park aviary didn’t have any birds, instead it was quite interestingly housing a red panda

Well that’s disappointing. Were the Palm Cockatoos on display elsewhere in the zoo?

 

[Jambo]

Well that’s disappointing. Were the Palm Cockatoos on display elsewhere in the zoo?

Not as far as i'm aware. I may be visiting next week so i'll have a look; the Red Panda situation is most likely temporary so the birds should be back there soon.

 

[Pertinax]

@DaLilFishie @StoppableSan

A note that Taronga’s Leopard seal was not only the only captive Leopard seal in the region upon his death, but was the only captive Leopard seal in the world. Seems obvious when you consider the proximity of Australasia to Antarctica compared to other regions.

Aside from being a fascinating attraction for the zoo, Casey provided the marine mammal keepers with unique husbandry experience. He was also the subject of research into captive Leopard seals, providing a unique dataset.

This is a species I never expected to ever see, but was fortunate, in different years, in seeing both the one at Napier in NZ and also two(?) at Taronga where I hadn't realised they were kept.

 

[Zoofan15]

This is a species I never expected to ever see, but was fortunate, in different years, in seeing both the one at Napier in NZ and also two(?) at Taronga where I hadn't realised they were kept.

Lucky!

Taronga has had three Leopard seals in recent years. Brooke died 2008; Sabine died 2011; and Casey died 2014.

 

[Jambo]

Possibly worth mentioning that when I went about a month ago the moore park aviary didn’t have any birds, instead it was quite interestingly housing a red panda

Visited today- can confirm Pabu is indeed in the Moore Park Aviary. He was extremely active, climbing around right at the front of the aviary and drew quite a crowd! On the other hand, Amala had access to both main red panda enclosures, and their cubs still haven't fully emerged from their nest yet.