Keeping red panda’s in Queensland coastal zoos is one thing but inland even only two hours west of Brisbane can be a whole lot different in the temperature’s and climate than living along the coastline
Darling Downs Zoo Another Review of Darling Downs Zoo
- Thread starter WhistlingKite24
- Start date
Let’s not forget that the DDZ is not a government backed zoo like most of our major city zoos but a small private family run regional zoo. To reach the stage they have done to this point is impressive enough in the time frame they have is nothing less than amazing. I have little doubt they will keep growing and expanding its collection and in my mind it has surpassed any other zoo in Queensland zoo history.
I had heard the zoo has one adult pair of Quokkas and a young JoeyPART 1: AUSTRALIAN PRECINCT
Darling Downs Zoo is Queensland’s largest regional zoo currently and is located two hours from Brisbane. Situated in an area with limited water resources, very hot summers and cold dry winters, the collection largely maintains grassland and desert species, creating a nice point of difference from the often lush, rainforest-like nature of the coastal zoos across south-east Queensland. The zoo is divided and aims towards maintaining four main geographical zones; Australia, South-east Asia, Africa and South America. The zoo is undergoing a large expansion especially involving their African species and will continue developing this particular area.
The last time I did a proper review for DDZ was in December 2018 so approaching four years [A Review of Darling Downs Zoo [Darling Downs Zoo]] and since then the zoo has developed dramatically and broaden their collection further. Unlike the 2018 review, I will now provide images from my recent visit and a final species list to align with my established format I use when reviewing zoos. Also note the zoo has experienced a lot of rainfall recently, creating a greener-than-usual look about the place. The appearance of the zoo is greatly influenced by the climate and rain, and the zoo can look very different from one visit to another.
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The first enclosures include the cockatoos which creates a lively and engaging introduction to the visit. The first two smaller aviaries are of similar size; the first one contains a pair of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, and the second aviary has a pair of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. The main cockatoo aviary is a mix of Galah and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo as it has been for many years. The cockatoos share their enclosure with Australian Brush Turkey. Next to the cockatoos, there is an open-topped exhibit for the waterfowl that runs along the fence line and includes two main bodies of water along with smaller gravelly streams. This is a well-planted display with a range of native plants and grasses that provides great visual appeal. The waterbird area was divided in half on my visit; one half contained a pair of Australian Pelicans, Black Swans and Wandering Whistling Ducks while the other half had a second pair of Black Swans with a cygnet. The wild Red-rumped Parrots that live across the zoo are particularly numerous in this area, adding a great deal of colour and activity.
Cockatoo aviaries
Waterbird enclosure
The first enclosure that starts on the opposite side is a large open-topped yard with a shaded viewing area and a raised ramp for visitor access. This contains Koalas and is a generously sized enclosure for them providing access to the elements as well as opportunities for shade and privacy, contrasting the often ‘box with sticks’ set-ups they received at too many local zoos. There is an additional meshed exhibit that can be seen at the back with extra koalas as well. The koalas are also mixed with the new Red-legged Pademelons that are already breeding very well and is currently serving as a holding exhibit for young Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Quokkas are also indicated on the map but were not seen. The neighbouring enclosure is similarly as open with a front viewing area with a mesh-fronted den allowing visitors to see the breeding pair of Common Wombats which are mixed with Rufous Bettong which most members of the public label “baby wombats".
Koala enclosure
Wombat enclosure
Formerly housing Whiptail Wallabies, the next paddock currently houses Red Kangaroo and Cape Barren Geese among the long, dense grass. This was home to their last rhea for a few years. There is also the main enclosure with the breeding group of Red Kangaroos and a trio of Emus where visitors can feed both species. The kangaroos breed well here and I saw one female with a joey attempting to get back into the pouch.
Serving as a gateway connecting Australia and Asia is a very tall waterbird aviary with dense vegetation and pools of water, representing species from both continents. I have always been mightily impressed with this enclosure for many years as there is always so much to stop and see. As the trees have grown taller and thicker, this has provided great hiding opportunities and it can often take a few laps to see everything. The first few species are very visible however; colonies of Royal Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis are joined by Cattle Egret, Australasian Swamphen, Pied Stilt and the often-elusive Nankeen Night-Heron that have bred well at DDZ. Complementing these larger waterbirds are the ducks; Ruddy Shelduck, Hardhead, Wandering Whistling Duck and Rajah Shelduck. When all the ducks noisily congregate in the water it truly is a sight. Filling the top half of the aviary, there are Eclectus Parrot, Nicobar Pigeon, Topknot Pigeon and Torresian Imperial Pigeon. Wonga Pigeon and White-headed Pigeon were also signed but not seen. Lady Amherst’s Pheasant and Bush Stone-Curlew complete the mix along with a recently added pair of Laughing Kookaburras. There are usually Broad-shelled River Turtles in this enclosure as well but I didn’t manage to see any and there is a chance I missed some additional bird species as well. It’s a really considered group of species that creates a very enjoyable visitor experience. There is also a nearby enclosure for an additional pair of Cape Barren Geese as well to complete the first half of the Australian precinct.
Waterbird aviary (use the large spoonbills at the bottom to get a sense of the scale)
Part 2 will discuss the South-east Asian precinct from Siamang to Sri Lankan Leopard.
They've succeeded where the regions main zoos are failing:
- Acquiring new species (not phasing out existing ones)
- Simple yet spacious exhibits (not smaller exhibits with kitsch)
- Imports of purebred subspecies to revive regional breeding programmes
And a result are fast becoming a standout amongst the region's zoos. It's a simple format founded on commonsense, but they've mastered it and therefore become very successful.
Correct, my question is as to why are most of the main large zoos failing?
A lot of them seem to be under pressure to cut costs/generate money where they can. A herd of purebred Grant's zebra brings in no more money than inbred generic hybrids; while decreasing species from the collection (especially megafauna) reduces food costs. I'm not saying I support this way of thinking, but I understand it. Ultimately a balance needs to be found as we've seen where a lack of dedication to importing on a regular basis has got the region with regards to several species.
Being a private zoo, I assume DDZ has one captain with a clear vision. Government run zoos have too many different people involved, who all have different agendas, and those agendas change when management/governments change.
There is a big push now in the public zoos to focus on Aussie animals. In a way it's fair enough, our animals need help, but the fact remains that small, nocturnal critters just aren’t as exciting to most people as large exotics. I guess in the end, that will work in DDZ and similar zoos favour, we will have to visit them if we want to see a wide range of exotics. And the more people they get through the gates, the more funds they will have to keep expanding.
Each new director the main zoos appoint comes with their own agenda and the frequent changes to the boards that oversee management of the zoo frequently results in changes that effectively undo the work of the previous regime. Each management ultimately wants to report back on the changes that happened under their tenure. Some of these changes are improvements, but many conversely are a regression.
The focus on Australian fauna is tourism driven (as well as conservation driven). Australians and New Zealanders aren't generally interested in species they've seen many times before (including for free in the wild), so focusing on the international market is a double edged sword as the recent pandemic has shown.
I agree with parts of what you have said but there has been a lot of bad management decisions that have not worked out well for quite a few species kept within our region such as phasing out a number of bear species for the Sun bear species only to have this falling in a heap. Sending hippo’s out of the region when they were badly needed here since importation is not possible a bad mistake. Phasing out of all Langur species again for one chosen species which have not moved past Taronga zoo (bar 2 spare males), even though they have been in this country for some time now. The phasing out of Maned wolfs by a major zoo only to have a small regional zoo step in to save them with great success since. The are many more cases like this which does not work out well for our zoo’s in the long term.
A number of the main zoos seem to be following the philosophy of retaining species if they fall into the following categories:
- Endangered or Critically Endangered
- Part of a conservation campaign
- Enabling (engaging to visitors)
This explains the decision to phase out species like Temminck's golden cat and Leopard cat.
Unfortunately us ZooChatters often have different perceptions of what qualifies as enabling. I'd rather see a Temminck's golden cat over a meerkat anyway.
Every now and then, there's a phase out made that defies all logic i.e. Mandrill at Melbourne. If a Mandrill ain't enabling, I dont know what is.
I believe you were close to the mark saying each director wants to mark there mark at the zoo with some sending it backwards with others lifting it up to another level like the late John Kelley!
It's like every director wants to bring new species to the zoo, but each new species seems to come at the expense of another. It's especially senseless when the zoo has the infrastructure to breed and maintain a species in the collection and has been successful in doing so for a number of years.
Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged.
Aesthetically some of the enclosures leave a lot to be desired. I’m not a fan of theming, that’s not what I mean, I mean landscaping and “dressing” the enclosures. Look at the caracal and serval enclosures. Could nothing more interesting have been done in terms of planting, rocks, logs, substrate, etc? Visually they seem to be quite underwhelming to say the least.
I haven’t been there so am just raising this as a question and constructive criticism based on what I have seen rather than knee jerk condemnation from afar.
I haven’t been there so am just raising this as a question and constructive criticism based on what I have seen rather than knee jerk condemnation from afar.
There's nothing wrong with thinking critically.
The simplest explanation is they've prioritised size over landscaping and asthetics and I see that as no bad thing. Aside from the benefits of space, it's future proofing. A large bare exhibit can easily be landscaped and refurbished when there's available funds to do so; whereas conversely, it's a lot harder to increase the size of exhibit.
Also I believe appointing a board with almost no animal savvy people is just to appease the woke brigade with the zoos paying the price for this mindset
Darling Downs Zoo. Update. 27/5/22
Its been around two years since my last visit so I was looking forward to seeing all the new progress since my last visit. I am not going to do a review but more of an update since Whistlingkite24 visit had well covered much of the zoos progress at that time.
I am pleased to report the birth of two Sri Lankan leopard cubs, what a nice mile stone for the zoo, there has been a rash of resent births lately including 2 Zebra, another litter of Caracals also another litter of serval to the imported female's. 2 meerkat babies.and yes another Giraffe calf so now they have 2 babies there including the hand raised calf which looks very well and I was lucky enough to see both very close up.
Also to report 4 more Blackbuck,black swans,baboons,Red handed Tamarins, Emperor Tamarins, common Marmoset's, Pygmy Marmoset’s.
Bilbys, Red tail black cockatoos. Ringtailed possums.barn owl’s. Red Kangaroos.and rufous bettongs. I may of missed out more births.
I knew there had been significant development there since I was there last but what I saw of the latest progress came as a very nice surprise. I knew they would make a nice job of the in progress Baboon exhibit but what I saw looked wonderful to date, the area alone could be (guessing) 30 times larger than their present enclosure also large amounts of big logs and massive rocks are being brought in the outside area. A number of trees have also been planted.Its far from completion but even at this stage its going to look impressive once all the furniture is arranged, they have built several very large mound’s almost small hills for the baboons to climb up upon.
The new African area has been started with quite a lot of new fencing already in place, I believe many of the zoos animals will be transferred into the new much larger enclosures including the Lions, Zebra and Giraffes with some new species being added. I expected major progress for my visit but not this amount, it was impressive. I watched the serval mother with her kittens playing among the long grass and now I can see why these small cat enclosures are so long, they got up to quite a speed chasing one another because of the leg room given to them.
I won’t go into to many details and make the post to long but in my view the zoo just keeps improving and expanding with well thought out exhibit’s. I get a nice vibe about the whole place the animals look contented and well cared for I am really looking forward to what the next few years bring,
Its been around two years since my last visit so I was looking forward to seeing all the new progress since my last visit. I am not going to do a review but more of an update since Whistlingkite24 visit had well covered much of the zoos progress at that time.
I am pleased to report the birth of two Sri Lankan leopard cubs, what a nice mile stone for the zoo, there has been a rash of resent births lately including 2 Zebra, another litter of Caracals also another litter of serval to the imported female's. 2 meerkat babies.and yes another Giraffe calf so now they have 2 babies there including the hand raised calf which looks very well and I was lucky enough to see both very close up.
Also to report 4 more Blackbuck,black swans,baboons,Red handed Tamarins, Emperor Tamarins, common Marmoset's, Pygmy Marmoset’s.
Bilbys, Red tail black cockatoos. Ringtailed possums.barn owl’s. Red Kangaroos.and rufous bettongs. I may of missed out more births.
I knew there had been significant development there since I was there last but what I saw of the latest progress came as a very nice surprise. I knew they would make a nice job of the in progress Baboon exhibit but what I saw looked wonderful to date, the area alone could be (guessing) 30 times larger than their present enclosure also large amounts of big logs and massive rocks are being brought in the outside area. A number of trees have also been planted.Its far from completion but even at this stage its going to look impressive once all the furniture is arranged, they have built several very large mound’s almost small hills for the baboons to climb up upon.
The new African area has been started with quite a lot of new fencing already in place, I believe many of the zoos animals will be transferred into the new much larger enclosures including the Lions, Zebra and Giraffes with some new species being added. I expected major progress for my visit but not this amount, it was impressive. I watched the serval mother with her kittens playing among the long grass and now I can see why these small cat enclosures are so long, they got up to quite a speed chasing one another because of the leg room given to them.
I won’t go into to many details and make the post to long but in my view the zoo just keeps improving and expanding with well thought out exhibit’s. I get a nice vibe about the whole place the animals look contented and well cared for I am really looking forward to what the next few years bring,
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Just to add a little to the above
There are a new set of Aviary’s attached to the left of the current owl aviary’s possibly 3 which appear to be taller and about ready to be fitted out. @WhistlingKite24
Also I noted that the large group of Aldabra tortoises appear notably larger every time I visit they are thriving there.
I also found the home bred baby alligators in a outside nursery exhibit at least 3 of them.
The Komodo dragon had also put on some extra size since I saw him last and looking very well.
I didn’t get to see the pair of Quokka in the Koala exhibit but did see the beautiful pair of Red legged Paddy melons. The birth of a baby Quokka was also another resent and first birth for the zoo.
I believe Quolls are another species to be added to the collection in the future.
There are a new set of Aviary’s attached to the left of the current owl aviary’s possibly 3 which appear to be taller and about ready to be fitted out. @WhistlingKite24
Also I noted that the large group of Aldabra tortoises appear notably larger every time I visit they are thriving there.
I also found the home bred baby alligators in a outside nursery exhibit at least 3 of them.
The Komodo dragon had also put on some extra size since I saw him last and looking very well.
I didn’t get to see the pair of Quokka in the Koala exhibit but did see the beautiful pair of Red legged Paddy melons. The birth of a baby Quokka was also another resent and first birth for the zoo.
I believe Quolls are another species to be added to the collection in the future.
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Thanks for the updates @Zorro. It’s exciting to hear of the progress Darling Down Zoo continues to make with their numerous felid births and the Grant’s zebra foals being a particular highlight.
The Hamadryas baboon habitat sounds groundbreaking. With Melbourne decreasing the numbers in their troops and slowing breeding, Darling Downs Zoo could soon have the largest troop in an Australasian zoo.
The Hamadryas baboon habitat sounds groundbreaking. With Melbourne decreasing the numbers in their troops and slowing breeding, Darling Downs Zoo could soon have the largest troop in an Australasian zoo.
One of the things I often notice when I go there is that the public do spend quite a bit of time watching the antics of the baboons. They really appear to bring a lot of smiles to peoples face’s with all the carry on between them. I can only imagine how much entertainment they are going to provide the zoo goer when they make the move into the new massive enclosure with all its climbing opportunities with all the big boulders and tree trunks will provide.