Darling Downs Zoo Darling Downs Zoo News 2025

Zoofan15 said:
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
Click to expand...


Ill be honest sloths are what im most excited about.
But that list plus spider monkey, Tapir, capybara and coati actually bring in a really nicely stocked list of species for a SA areas. Bonus if they import a small feline species. So it doesnt surprise me DD zoo are already getting on it.
 
Tiger91 said:
Ill be honest sloths are what im most excited about.
But that list plus spider monkey, Tapir, capybara and coati actually bring in a really nicely stocked list of species for a SA areas. Bonus if they import a small feline species. So it doesnt surprise me DD zoo are already getting on it.
Click to expand...
I believe the DDZ had/has a big interest in Jaguars but unless they are approved for importation will not be seen again unfortunately.
 
I’m interested in the logistics/expenses behind such frequent imports; I imagine it’s a huge undertaking, and not a cheap one at that. How does the DDZ business model enable such amazing imports, especially ones that quarantine animals for other zoos in the region? As a smaller private zoo, I am continually impressed by this commitment to imports and breeding of many species, but wonder how viable it is overall.
 
Zorro said:
I believe the DDZ had/has a big interest in Jaguars but unless they are approved for importation will not be seen again unfortunately.
Click to expand...
They can be they just require there to be interest from a large amount of regional facilities, and unluckily for Steve, this isn't the case. Not much he can do about that sadly.
baekho100 said:
I’m interested in the logistics/expenses behind such frequent imports; I imagine it’s a huge undertaking, and not a cheap one at that. How does the DDZ business model enable such amazing imports, especially ones that quarantine animals for other zoos in the region? As a smaller private zoo, I am continually impressed by this commitment to imports and breeding of many species, but wonder how viable it is overall.
Click to expand...
Steve may be able to answer this better, however it's not like these imports are 'too expensive' or 'logistical nightmares'. He's obviously investing the money into the right places unlike our government zoos which invest in questionable initiatives.:rolleyes:

It really comes down to how much he wants the animals - the due work that is put in will pay off; and we can see the results pouring in; not only for Steve and DDZ but the other regional facilities like Altina who've also done their due diligence in regards to imports and reviving regional populations.
 
baekho100 said:
As a smaller private zoo, I am continually impressed by this commitment to imports and breeding of many species, but wonder how viable it is overall.
Click to expand...

My wife [aka the Finance Minister] will tell you that it is not really viable in terms of return on investment. None of the species that we have imported, or will in the future, can be sold in this country.

However, they do boost visitation. Year on year that has been the case so far. We are certainly not the prettiest zoo in Australia but visitors are impressed with the diversity of our collection and also that we encourage all of our staff to "have a chat". They don't expect to come to a zoo that has so many different species [many of which they don't get to see in today's homogenised collections]. They also don't expect to hear about our many conservation activities - especially with species that they don't get to actually see - Greater Bilbies comes to mind here.

Thus, the visitation income driven by the diversity of our collection, finances the conservation side of things.

Couple this with keeper talks that don't lecture our visitors and you pretty well have our Business Plan in a nutshell.

On the personal side it gives us some satisfaction to be able to support some of the better run Species Management Programs as well to boost low populations of some non-managed species in Australian zoos and even to restore some species that have already been lost here. Watch this space for more along those lines.
 
Last edited:
Zorro said:
I believe the DDZ had/has a big interest in Jaguars
Click to expand...

True - but we realise that this is just a dream. We held the last Jaguar in this region and she still lives in our heart today. The species would have been the jewel in the crown for our South American precinct but we know that we will have to settle for Xenarthra species in it's stead. This is why we fought so hard, for so many years, for a Xenarthra IRA.
 
Steve Robinson said:
Couple this with keeper talks that don't lecture our visitors and you pretty well have our Business Plan in a nutshell.
Click to expand...

I read an interview with a keeper from another zoo who mentioned that the visitors were fascinated to hear about the individual animals and their personalities etc; but when the talk progressed to conservation messages and what visitors need to do at home to help, the focus was lost and people began dispersing.

I’ve seen a couple of keeper talks via video tours from Darling Downs Zoo and was impressed from a visitor perspective with how the staff engaged with the visitors. It came across very natural - striking the right balance between informative; but without coming across like a lecture. It’s quite clear that that’s what the vast majority of visitors would want from their experience.
 
Steve Robinson said:
My wife [aka the Finance Minister] will tell you that it is not really viable in terms of return on investment. None of the species that we have imported, or will in the future, can be sold in this country.

However, they do boost visitation. Year on year that has been the case so far. We are certainly not the prettiest zoo in Australia but visitors are impressed with the diversity of our collection and also that we encourage all of our staff to "have a chat". They don't expect to come to a zoo that has so many different species [many of which they don't get to see in today's homogenised collections]. They also don't expect to hear about our many conservation activities - especially with species that they don't get to actually see - Greater Bilbies comes to mind here.

Thus, the visitation income driven by the diversity of our collection, finances the conservation side of things.

Couple this with keeper talks that don't lecture our visitors and you pretty well have our Business Plan in a nutshell.

On the personal side it gives us some satisfaction to be able to support some of the better run Species Management Programs as well to boost low populations of some non-managed species in Australian zoos and even to restore some species that have already been lost here. Watch this space for more along those lines.
Click to expand...
I haven't visited DDZ yet but will be sure to pop up next time I'm in Queensland; simply for those reasons you've stated above! DDZ is becoming a facility that is worth the travel and the visit...not something I can really say about any other zoos in the country.

To be honest, I'm very impressed with the way you and the rest of your staff are approaching things - especially the visitor aspect of things and ensuring your appealing to them via species diversity and also being friendly (which I feel goes a very long way to ensuring positive visitor experience).

Very efficient and effective business model Steve; certainly tracking in the right direction.

I can guarantee you - the more you continue to grow your collection and support these species that are being phased out of these other zoos, the more visitors you continue to get.

Down here in Victoria, I already have friends in the industry who talk about your facility in high praise. One day it will all pay off - keep in mind, some of the most popular zoos worldwide are world renowned for their collections especially!

Even the average zoo visitor is intrigued by the likes of species they've never heard of nor seen before.
 
Jambo said:
I haven't visited DDZ yet but will be sure to pop up next time I'm in Queensland; simply for those reasons you've stated above! DDZ is becoming a facility that is worth the travel and the visit...not something I can really say about any other zoos in the country.

To be honest, I'm very impressed with the way you and the rest of your staff are approaching things - especially the visitor aspect of things and ensuring your appealing to them via species diversity and also being friendly (which I feel goes a very long way to ensuring positive visitor experience).

Very efficient and effective business model Steve; certainly tracking in the right direction.

I can guarantee you - the more you continue to grow your collection and support these species that are being phased out of these other zoos, the more visitors you continue to get.

Down here in Victoria, I already have friends in the industry who talk about your facility in high praise. One day it will all pay off - keep in mind, some of the most popular zoos worldwide are world renowned for their collections especially!

Even the average zoo visitor is intrigued by the likes of species they've never heard of nor seen before.
Click to expand...
Have you thought about visiting after the bull Pygmy Hippo arrives?.
Every time I have visited there is something new and/or improved. I believe since the zoo added an extra 122 acres to the existing 50 acres its given the zoo much more scope to run more larger species of animals with the Zebra paddock having 20 acres alone.

I believe having the zoo out in the countryside was a good/wise move the animals appear so completely relaxed.
The staff are all very friendly and helpful also completely engrossed in what they are doing. The way I see it because of the amount of new imports of a number of species the zoo will become the "go too place" for new much wanted genetics which will help other zoo collections around the country,
I just wonder what the place will look like in another 5 years time at the pace they are moving at!
 
Steve Robinson said:
They don't expect to come to a zoo that has so many different species [many of which they don't get to see in today's homogenised collections].
Click to expand...

I would certainly agree, and without getting too much into the business model side of things, I could see this as a great angle to capitalise upon for advertising. Hopefully this unique draw keeps the business flowing and allowing for further imports. Having some of QLD’s only(?) lions in itself must bring crowds
In regards to the increasing cost and complexity, this certainly doesn’t surprise me, but worries me at the same time. Even imports from NZ I have seen go through extreme trouble - on a personal note, the amount of email correspondence I imagine must be involved gives me a headache to think about… must be so much back and forth!

Having zoos like yours committed to needed imports of lesser represented exotic species is certainly amazing, and as shown in this thread, I think everyone’s gratitude is immense. I just wonder about the future of these increasingly complex imports, and hope some of the species you have already imported receive further support from other institutions.
 
Zorro said:
The Darling Downs Zoo is now open again. Social media!
There has been extensive flooding in parts of Brisbane and northern New South Wales, Over 450,000 homes have lost power with some having to wait another week to be connected!
Click to expand...
Luckily they seemed to have avoided the worst of the storm as predicted due to being located a reasonable distance inland.

With the torrential rains, flooding was to be expected (even inland). It's really welcome news to hear DDZ has opened quite quickly after the cyclone, and that the zoo and it's inhabitants have all managed to stay safe.
 
Zorro said:
The Darling Downs Zoo is now open again. Social media!
There has been extensive flooding in parts of Brisbane and northern New South Wales, Over 450,000 homes have lost power with some having to wait another week to be connected!
Click to expand...

We have been very lucky as we haven't really seen this cyclone up here. Only about 60mm of rain in total and not enough wind to damage anything. The rain wasn't even enough to run off into the dam although the tanks did benefit a little bit.

All animals and staff are safe and well and enjoyed seeing the occasional visitor today. Because of the devastation all around us visitation was very occasional indeed today and will probably remain that way for some time to come. Our thoughts are very much with our colleagues who have not fared as well as we have.

I remember the last cyclone to come this far south but it was so long ago that I doubt that I will see the next one!
 
Steve Robinson said:
We have been very lucky as we haven't really seen this cyclone up here. Only about 60mm of rain in total and not enough wind to damage anything. The rain wasn't even enough to run off into the dam although the tanks did benefit a little bit.

All animals and staff are safe and well and enjoyed seeing the occasional visitor today. Because of the devastation all around us visitation was very occasional indeed today and will probably remain that way for some time to come. Our thoughts are very much with our colleagues who have not fared as well as we have.

I remember the last cyclone to come this far south but it was so long ago that I doubt that I will see the next one!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear Darling Downs Zoo, its staff and animals have made it through unscathed.

Australia has no shortage of natural disasters (with forests fires also afflicting several zoos in recent years). The tenacity of the staff in coping with these has been admirable; though of course we’re even more glad when they don’t have to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top