Darling Downs Zoo Darling Downs Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Zorro
- Start date
Update from socials:
The holidays are now in full swing and the weather on the Darling Downs is glorious. It’s a good time to plan a visit to Queensland’s country zoo.
It is so much easier to get around the zoo now. Most of the major paths have been tar sealed and are much more accessible to old folk, mums with prams and people with mobility issues.
Caesar, our lion cub is now on view all day and loves showing off – and then sleeping! We have baby Meerkats, baby Lemurs of two species, Llama babies and even a white Kangaroo joey.
Recent Transfers
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Hamadryas baboon:
Four male Hamadryas baboons have been transferred to the Central Coast Zoo/Amazement Farm & Fun Park:
1.0 Horace (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Seti (2019) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Julius (2021) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Jafar (2021) born at Darling Downs Zoo
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Sri Lankan leopard:
A male Sri Lankan leopard has been transferred to Zambi Wildlife Retreat:
1.0 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
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Hamadryas baboon:
Four male Hamadryas baboons have been transferred to the Central Coast Zoo/Amazement Farm & Fun Park:
1.0 Horace (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Seti (2019) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Julius (2021) born at Darling Downs Zoo
1.0 Jafar (2021) born at Darling Downs Zoo
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Sri Lankan leopard:
A male Sri Lankan leopard has been transferred to Zambi Wildlife Retreat:
1.0 Phoenix (10/08/2023) Ecko x Maysha
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Swanson02
Well-Known Member
Potentially going to Darling Downs Zoo Tomorrow as I'm in the area (Toowoomba). Not 100% confirmed though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
Potentially going to Darling Downs Zoo Tomorrow as I'm in the area (Toowoomba). Not 100% confirmed though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
Enjoy! It’s a zoo I’d love to visit one day.
1. I’d like to know how many baboons they have. I believe it’s the following 1.6 baboons:
1.0 Gyasi (2014) born at Sydney Zoo
0.1 Mandy (2014) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Cruella (2016) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Selma (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Isla (2018) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Selene (2019) born at Darling Downs Zoo
0.1 Angelica (2020) born at Darling Downs Zoo
2. Also what groupings their tawny lions are in - Mal still rotating with one sister at a time; or an integrated pride of 1.2 lions?
3. Names of the Caracals.
Potentially going to Darling Downs Zoo Tomorrow as I'm in the area (Toowoomba). Not 100% confirmed though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
Not so much questions, but if you go some good pictures of the place would be neat!.
I agree with @Tiger91 in that photos would be much appreciated if you get the time!Potentially going to Darling Downs Zoo Tomorrow as I'm in the area (Toowoomba). Not 100% confirmed though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
Also if you don't mind I'd be keen to know what groupings they keep their zebra in at the moment; I know they recently formed a second breeding group with a new colt from Altina.
Enjoy your visit tomorrow check out the size on the Komodo dragon and the number of giant tortoises next door, check out the size of their enclosure!Potentially going to Darling Downs Zoo Tomorrow as I'm in the area (Toowoomba). Not 100% confirmed though
Are there any questions we want asked?
I don't want to tread on @Steve Robinson toes though
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Yes please.
Are these lists current:
Hamadryas baboon:
0.1 Genie (2000)
0.1 Abeba (2004) Albert x Grit
0.1 Layla (2010) Scooby x Genie
1.0 Tehuti (2011) Scooby x Genie
0.1 Zola (2014) Scooby x Genie
0.1 Zendaya (2021) Tehuti x Abeba
African wild dog:
1.0 Aeren (15/05/2016) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Chuka (15/05/2016) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Duma (15/05/2016) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Lezaro (13/05/2017) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Mutaz (13/05/2017) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Niryu (13/05/2017) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
1.0 Otto (13/05/2017) Travis x Zahra (Altina)
I’d also be interested to know future plans for the Hamadryas baboon troop mentioned above i.e. whether Zendaya will transfer out; whether new females will come in.
I visited Darling Downs Zoo yesterday I also met up and had a chat with Steve. through my visit and my chat with Steve I got several updates on current holdings and upcoming imports some i have permission to share on here albeit locations and other important details I have to keep under wraps.
0.1 Shenzi (white) (06/08/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)
1.0 Kwanza (White) (12/11/2012) Shaka x Shenzi
0.1 Buffy (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
0.1 Sahara (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
0.1 Sassy (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
1.0 Mal (Tawny) (02/07/2014) Unknown x Unknown
0.1 Msichana (White) (13/01/2015) Shaka x Shenzi
1.0 Caesar (Tawny) 07/08/2024 Mal x Sassy
In regards to upcoming imports,
- The Hamadryas Baboon population appears to only be the female group that's left at the main exhibit with no males.
- Sahara (F) (tawny) and Kwanzzaa (M) (white) are now kept with Sassy and Buffy (F) (tawny) and Mal (M) (tawny) is now kept with Mischana (F) (White) there are plans to breed these two together whilst Caesar (Mal x Sassy) will be maintained for breeding with Australian bred females. The groupings are thus as follows
0.1 Shenzi (white) (06/08/2009) Imported 2010 (South Africa)
1.0 Kwanza (White) (12/11/2012) Shaka x Shenzi
0.1 Buffy (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
0.1 Sahara (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
0.1 Sassy (Tawny) (10/10/2011) Fred x Dalila
1.0 Mal (Tawny) (02/07/2014) Unknown x Unknown
0.1 Msichana (White) (13/01/2015) Shaka x Shenzi
1.0 Caesar (Tawny) 07/08/2024 Mal x Sassy
In regards to upcoming imports,
- A male Pygmy Hippopotamus has been identified and will hopefully be arriving by the end of the year.
- 3 trios of Coati are also hopefully due for import by the end of the year.
- Steve has started negotiations to acquire Brazilian Tapir though this hasn't gotten as far as the former two yet.
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Thanks for the updates Patrick.
And wow, where do I even start...!Just when most of us thought this was going to be the end of Coati in the region due to the government owned zoos essentially phasing them out - here Steve is, off to the rescue yet again to save another species within our region. Three trios would be absolutely wonderful for the regeneration of a regional breeding program. Hopefully we can have some other regional facilities step in and help with this too further down the line.
Also really phenomenal news to hear a male Pygmy Hippo has already been identified and will arrive this year. With the passing of the IRA last year, I was hopeful a lot of the facilities would be making the most of it and whilst we had confirmation of at least one facility planning to import a Common Hippo bull, we hadn't gotten anything on the Pygmy Hippo side of things.
The arrival of this bull would effectively provide the region with yet another breeding facility for this species which is amazing news. Let's hope Melbourne also has a female on the way for Felix!
Additionally, it's finally good to have confirmation that DDZ too will be taking part in a rejuvenation of the Brazilian Tapir breeding program and acquiring some individuals from overseas. This species appears to breed in plentiful numbers in Europe especially so it shouldn't be as hard to locate suitable individuals. On an exciting note, it would be great to have Brazilian Tapir breeding again in the region as it's been almost two decades since our last Brazilian Tapir calf!
Thank you for finding out all this information @Patrick Keegan. What a comprehensive update filled with many surprises.
It’s great to hear of the shake up of the lion groupings as pairing Mal with a younger lioness (10 years old) offers a much better prospect of breeding; though the unexpected birth of Caesar to 13 year old Sassy last year was a welcome surprise.
Caesar being the fourth generation of his family to be born at Darling Downs Zoo is certainly a special cat. There’s countless options for lionesses with the region that could join him in the future across the Dubbo and Monarto prides. Monarto have been managing fall outs between their lionesses, so this could offer an option to transfer out some of their lionesses; though given Caesar’s age and inexperience, Darling Downs Zoo may want to go with younger options i.e. from the last litters born at Dubbo/Monarto (2023). I note you mention Australian bred lionesses, which discounts this as an option; but a female cub was born at Paradise Valley Springs in 2024 (and is close in age to Caesar). Were she to be considered, it would be the first import into Australia of a Paradise Valley Springs cub since 2001 (Millie).
Coati, wow! Words cannot describe how stoked I would be to see this magnificent species return to Australia as it teters on the brink of disappearance!
Thanks for the updates Patrick.
Just when most of us thought this was going to be the end of Coati in the region due to the government owned zoos essentially phasing them out - here Steve is, off to the rescue yet again to save another species within our region. Three trios would be absolutely wonderful for the regeneration of a regional breeding program. Hopefully we can have some other regional facilities step in and help with this too further down the line.
Also really phenomenal news to hear a male Pygmy Hippo has already been identified and will arrive this year. With the passing of the IRA last year, I was hopeful a lot of the facilities would be making the most of it and whilst we had confirmation of at least one facility planning to import a Common Hippo bull, we hadn't gotten anything on the Pygmy Hippo side of things.
The arrival of this bull would effectively provide the region with yet another breeding facility for this species which is amazing news. Let's hope Melbourne also has a female on the way for Felix!
Additionally, it's finally good to have confirmation that DDZ too will be taking part in a rejuvenation of the Brazilian Tapir breeding program and acquiring some individuals from overseas. This species appears to breed in plentiful numbers in Europe especially so it shouldn't be as hard to locate suitable individuals. On an exciting note, it would be great to have Brazilian Tapir breeding again in the region as it's been almost two decades since our last Brazilian Tapir calf!
Are we really surprised, Steve seems to do more species imports then the big zoos put together. As soon as the hippo IRA passed it was only a matter of time!.
I agree his initiative is commendable. Hippopotamus and Brazilian tapir I know we’ve all been getting excited about for a while; but coati came completely out of left field as far as I’m concerned. How exciting we could soon see them make a come back in the region!
That is very true it appears a number of the smaller regional zoos are more progressive than some of the majors zoos which seem to be stuck in slow mode!
That is very true it appears a number of the smaller regional zoos are more progressive than some of the majors zoos which seem to be stuck in slow mode!
Lets be real for a minute, Darling downs and Altina have done the majority of the heavy lifting for the last few years. The back pain must be immeasurable!.
Without these two zoos many smaller species would be in much worse positions and or gone.
I mean while its a great surprise.
South american precincts are going to be the new areas, they wouldn't be going ahead with the new IRA if there wasn't a push for them. So it makes sense to bring back coati.
I believe the DDZ were the driving force in a number of Aldabra Giant tortoise importations in resent times and I believe had a big hand with the importation of the young Komodo dragons from a European zoo.
Yes. Hopefully the Xenarthra IRA will soon allow several new South American species to enter the region.
The agreed species are all exciting, but I anticipate sloths will be particularly popular with the general public
Giant Anteater
Linne’s two-toed sloth
Tamandua
Yellow armadillo
Three-banded armadillo