Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

I agree but with it likely a different set of managers now?

Yes, both zoos have had new CEO’s since then and the Zoos Victoria board has had countless people come and go. PSD are an endangered South East Asia species, so they’re a good fit for both zoos. Enabling seems to be the overarching theme though - with numerous endangered species being phased out from both zoos including Addax (Werribee) and Persian onanger (Dubbo).

 

[Zorro]

Yes, both zoos have had new CEO’s since then and the Zoos Victoria board has had countless people come and go. PSD are an endangered South East Asia species, so they’re a good fit for both zoos. Enabling seems to be the overarching theme though - with numerous endangered species being phased out from both zoos including Addax (Werribee) and Persian onanger (Dubbo).

They are a stunning species!

 

[PaddyRickMFZ]

Yes, both zoos have had new CEO’s since then and the Zoos Victoria board has had countless people come and go. PSD are an endangered South East Asia species, so they’re a good fit for both zoos. Enabling seems to be the overarching theme though - with numerous endangered species being phased out from both zoos including Addax (Werribee) and Persian onanger (Dubbo).

And with elephants on the way out, it presents a possible cohabitation with something at MZ, or in a hypothetical Asian plains near the elephants at WORZ

 

[Zoofan15]

And with elephants on the way out, it presents a possible cohabitation with something at MZ, or in a hypothetical Asian plains near the elephants at WORZ

It’s a small deer, which makes it an ideal fit for city zoos. It doesn’t appear to breed readily in zoos so I imagine it’d be difficult to import a decent sized founder base, but I imagine Taronga and Melbourne could at least secure a pair each.

 

[Jambo]

And with elephants on the way out, it presents a possible cohabitation with something at MZ, or in a hypothetical Asian plains near the elephants at WORZ

Philippine Deer are quite a small species so would probably not cohabit well with larger species like elephants.

In saying that, the current Bongo enclosure would be quite suitable for them; and I believe was one of the intended enclosures for them - shared with Babirusa.

 

[Zorro]

Philippine Deer are quite a small species so would probably not cohabit well with larger species like elephants.

In saying that, the current Bongo enclosure would be quite suitable for them; and I believe was one of the intended enclosures for them - shared with Babirusa.

It would be wonderful to have some PD in our zoos but I believe with new CEOs and managers now they might never be looked at again, hopefully I am wrong!

 

[Zoofan15]

Philippine Deer are quite a small species so would probably not cohabit well with larger species like elephants.

In saying that, the current Bongo enclosure would be quite suitable for them; and I believe was one of the intended enclosures for them - shared with Babirusa.

Considering they’re a critically endangered species that’s difficult to obtain and doesn’t breed readily, it’d be inadvisable to have them cohabiting with any species that poses a degree of risk to their safety.

I’m not saying zoos should be careless with Indian antelope; but to put it bluntly, the PR implications of one of those being killed by an elephant would be far less than a PSD.

 

[JessKimber]

I have to vent a bit. Just got back from a Singapore trip and it highlighted how steeply downhill Taronga’s direction is going.

We have fewer species than ever, and the species we do have are common and boring. Newly built sections are concrete set dressings that waste space which could have been used to house animals, and which have almost no educational or interactive value. The Tiger Trek is a monumental wasted opportunity - they could have incorporated a walkthrough aviary in all of that space, or an actual shop/food stall, or small mammal enclosure, and made the ranger station an immersive and interactive display to educate guests on conservation of rainforests. It’s all just some empty shells and a chicken coop.

The new Australian precinct is barely different to what existed before, in fact it feels even more empty than the previous area. Asia is a mess of African hoofstock and we’ve lost so many interesting and geographically relevant species - tapirs, chital, gibbons, orangs, snow leopards, komodos, dholes… Every time they renovate a section we lose species and the space is converted to emptiness. The lawns used to be full of aviaries and now they only host concerts.

It’s really sad to see the choices being made to turn Taronga into an empty concrete basin full of faded plastic set dressing and retired animals. I’m really worried that the Congo will be more of the same, with no new species. I know part of the issue is import laws, but that doesn’t excuse how soulless the zoo has become.

 

[Zoofan15]

I have to vent a bit. Just got back from a Singapore trip and it highlighted how steeply downhill Taronga’s direction is going.

We have fewer species than ever, and the species we do have are common and boring. Newly built sections are concrete set dressings that waste space which could have been used to house animals, and which have almost no educational or interactive value. The Tiger Trek is a monumental wasted opportunity - they could have incorporated a walkthrough aviary in all of that space, or an actual shop/food stall, or small mammal enclosure, and made the ranger station an immersive and interactive display to educate guests on conservation of rainforests. It’s all just some empty shells and a chicken coop.

The new Australian precinct is barely different to what existed before, in fact it feels even more empty than the previous area. Asia is a mess of African hoofstock and we’ve lost so many interesting species - tapirs, chital, gibbons, orangs, snow leopards, dholes… Every time they renovate a section we lose species and the space is converted to emptiness. The lawns used to be full of aviaries and now they only host concerts.

It’s really sad to see the choices being made to turn Taronga into an empty concrete basin full of faded plastic set dressing and retired animals. I’m really worried that the Congo will be more of the same, with no new species. I know part of the issue is import laws, but that doesn’t excuse how soulless the zoo has become.

Taronga has undoubtedly declined in quality. Many of the main zoos have decreased the number of species held, citing welfare (fewer species in bigger exhibits); but when species are simply phased out for visitor amenities, that’s unacceptable imo. Taronga is undoubtably the worst for this - with the aviaries/concert lawn and Tiger Trek (with its fake supermarket etc.) being just two examples.

Zoos would do well to remember that the zoo animals are the attraction - not a playground or a concert. “Let’s go to the zoo so the kids can play on a playground” said no parent ever; and any artist capable of drawing crowds of 10,000+ is going to perform at a venue capable of accomodating those numbers (not a zoo).

Every visitor attraction wants to compete for tourism (local, regional and international). Points of difference help them achieve this and to state the obvious, a zoo’s point of difference is animals. They should focus on that, rather than doing an average job at being a Jack of all trades.

 

[Zorro]

I have to vent a bit. Just got back from a Singapore trip and it highlighted how steeply downhill Taronga’s direction is going.

We have fewer species than ever, and the species we do have are common and boring. Newly built sections are concrete set dressings that waste space which could have been used to house animals, and which have almost no educational or interactive value. The Tiger Trek is a monumental wasted opportunity - they could have incorporated a walkthrough aviary in all of that space, or an actual shop/food stall, or small mammal enclosure, and made the ranger station an immersive and interactive display to educate guests on conservation of rainforests. It’s all just some empty shells and a chicken coop.

The new Australian precinct is barely different to what existed before, in fact it feels even more empty than the previous area. Asia is a mess of African hoofstock and we’ve lost so many interesting and geographically relevant species - tapirs, chital, gibbons, orangs, snow leopards, komodos, dholes… Every time they renovate a section we lose species and the space is converted to emptiness. The lawns used to be full of aviaries and now they only host concerts.

It’s really sad to see the choices being made to turn Taronga into an empty concrete basin full of faded plastic set dressing and retired animals. I’m really worried that the Congo will be more of the same, with no new species. I know part of the issue is import laws, but that doesn’t excuse how soulless the zoo has become.

Sad but very true. As I have stated here before the decline of our major zoos is a worry, Millions are spent on new exhibits but due to a lack of imagination, apathy and bad management they look pretty second rate as compared to many overseas zoos in Europe, USA,UK and Asia. Some are very big on all the talk but not to much on the walk.The many phase outs across the region within our major zoos is showing and I believe over time less of the public are going to want to visit, With a cost of living crisis people want value for their money something they are getting lest of visiting most of our major zoos, The one shining light in my view in Monarto Safari Park which is taking open range zoos to a whole new level. Another positive aspect has been the rise a a number of the small regional zoos country wide which do strive to keep a decent range of species for public display something most of our big zoos struggle with. As a visitor to many oversea zoos worldwide I can say many of our zoos are a disappointment!

 

[Jambo]

We'll see what happens. I predict Rainforest Trail / Wild Asia to be the next redevelopment after the new reptile house, wildlife hospital, Sky Safari and Congo precinct, especially as the elephants will be leaving within the next few years. I would say its exhibits are looking a little on the small side, especially the bongo and Pygmy hippo exhibits. After that, I would say GSO is the next precinct to be renovated, although this would probably just be the demolition of the pelican exhibit (hopefully they will build an aviary for them but I can't think where) and a small enlargement of the seal pools.

With the smaller developments currently at hand (being the reptile centre, wildlife hospital and sky safari); the Congo precinct is theoretically next.

I had believed it was initially planned to follow the African precinct; but of course this hasn't been the case. With there being rumors of Taronga phasing out gorillas I would obviously assume this would be linked to the Congo precinct being thrown on the backburner; alongside the difficulty surrounding acquiring Okapi.

The Rainforest definitely seems to be the next area of focus imo. With the elephants going it's surely the right opportunity to revamp the whole precinct. Give the Pygmy Hippos more space, maybe acquire new species such as the likes of Orangutans and Clouded Leopard.

I don't see GSO being renovated anytime soon. It's still a fairly new precinct and still achieves its purpose quite well. Maybe in around a decades time they'll consider renovating it; expanding the pools should be the goal.

Aside from that, the rest of the zoo is certainly in great shape. A South American precinct would also be something that would benefit Taronga. If the Congo precinct doesn't go ahead and the gorillas are phased out; the space is there!

 

[Zoofan15]

With the smaller developments currently at hand (being the reptile centre, wildlife hospital and sky safari); the Congo precinct is theoretically next.

I had believed it was initially planned to follow the African precinct; but of course this hasn't been the case. With there being rumors of Taronga phasing out gorillas I would obviously assume this would be linked to the Congo precinct being thrown on the backburner; alongside the difficulty surrounding acquiring Okapi.

The Rainforest definitely seems to be the next area of focus imo. With the elephants going it's surely the right opportunity to revamp the whole precinct. Give the Pygmy Hippos more space, maybe acquire new species such as the likes of Orangutans and Clouded Leopard.

I don't see GSO being renovated anytime soon. It's still a fairly new precinct and still achieves its purpose quite well. Maybe in around a decades time they'll consider renovating it; expanding the pools should be the goal.

Aside from that, the rest of the zoo is certainly in great shape. A South American precinct would also be something that would benefit Taronga. If the Congo precinct doesn't go ahead and the gorillas are phased out; the space is there!

Like Melbourne Zoo, I definitely feel like any redevelopments at Taronga Zoo will be focussed on addressing noticeable gaps (namely the elephants). I agree GSO is a functioning precinct that should be lower priority at this point in time.

I really hope that Taronga can acquire Okapi. It’d be even better if Melbourne and Auckland could acquire them as this would given the region the nucleus for a sustainable breeding programme for at least two decades before further imports are needed.

In the meantime, the Bovid IRA and Hippopotamus IRA give Taronga the availability to import both Eastern bongo and (when processed) Pygmy hippopotamus. I anticipate both will have a future irregardless of the future of Western lowland gorilla and Okapi; though on that note, I would expect the Congo precinct to be scrapped without the latter two (headliners).

 

[Osedax]

A South American precinct would also be something that would benefit Taronga.

I really hope that Taronga can acquire Okapi. It’d be even better if Melbourne and Auckland could acquire them as this would given the region the nucleus for a sustainable breeding programme for at least two decades before further imports are needed.

Agreed.

I don't see GSO being renovated anytime soon. It's still a fairly new precinct and still achieves its purpose quite well. Maybe in around a decades time they'll consider renovating it; expanding the pools should be the goal.

I agree GSO is a functioning precinct that should be lower priority at this point in time.

Yes, I agree it is not an immediate focus, but after the completion of everything else we have discussed, I predict it will be the next major renovation. And that will most likely be in around 10 years time.

 

[Zoofan15]

Agreed.


Yes, I agree it is not an immediate focus, but after the completion of everything else we have discussed, I predict it will be the next major renovation. And that will most likely be in around 10 years time.

That’s certainly possible. In discussing the phase out of Auckland Zoo’s pinnipeds, a keeper mentioned the cost of replacing the supporting infrastructure as a factor. It has a limited lifespan (around 20-25 years in their case) and without knowing the specifics of Taronga’s filtration system, their’s could well be due for renewal around that time.

I certainly hope Taronga continue to hold pinnipeds long term. Auckland and Adelaide are phasing them out and there’s been speculation Melbourne will follow suit. They were one of the most popular exhibits on my visits this past week.

 

[Abbey]

With the smaller developments currently at hand (being the reptile centre, wildlife hospital and sky safari); the Congo precinct is theoretically next.

I had believed it was initially planned to follow the African precinct; but of course this hasn't been the case. With there being rumors of Taronga phasing out gorillas I would obviously assume this would be linked to the Congo precinct being thrown on the backburner; alongside the difficulty surrounding acquiring Okapi.

The Rainforest definitely seems to be the next area of focus imo. With the elephants going it's surely the right opportunity to revamp the whole precinct. Give the Pygmy Hippos more space, maybe acquire new species such as the likes of Orangutans and Clouded Leopard.

I don't see GSO being renovated anytime soon. It's still a fairly new precinct and still achieves its purpose quite well. Maybe in around a decades time they'll consider renovating it; expanding the pools should be the goal.

Aside from that, the rest of the zoo is certainly in great shape. A South American precinct would also be something that would benefit Taronga. If the Congo precinct doesn't go ahead and the gorillas are phased out; the space is there!

That’s certainly possible. In discussing the phase out of Auckland Zoo’s pinnipeds, a keeper mentioned the cost of replacing the supporting infrastructure as a factor. It has a limited lifespan (around 20-25 years in their case) and without knowing the specifics of Taronga’s filtration system, there’s could well be due for renewal around that time. I certainly hope Taronga continue to hold pinnipeds long term. Auckland and Adelaide are phasing them out and there’s been speculation Melbourne will follow suit. They were one of the most popular exhibits on my visits this past week.

It's strange to think that the Rainforest precinct (formerly Wild Asia) will be 20 years old this year. In my view, the exhibits are mostly still fit-for-purpose (and it's one of my favourite parts of the zoo); however, regional priorities have changed and some species (tapir, etc) have been lost.

This is only my opinion, but I would be shocked if Taronga phased out pinnipeds unless there was a particularly dramatic shift in public viewpoints towards keeping seals in captivity. The seal show is an iconic part of Taronga and its links to conservation are clear. Plus the wild rescues coming in being a coastal zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's strange to think that the Rainforest precinct (formerly Wild Asia) will be 20 years old this year. In my view, the exhibits are mostly still fit-for-purpose (and it's one of my favourite parts of the zoo); however, regional priorities have changed and some species (tapir, etc) have been lost.

This is only my opinion, but I would be shocked if Taronga phased out pinnipeds unless there was a particularly dramatic shift in public viewpoints towards keeping seals in captivity. The seal show is an iconic part of Taronga and its links to conservation are clear. Plus the wild rescues coming in being a coastal zoo.

It always amazes me how well some exhibits age (Melbourne Zoo’s Gorilla Rainforest being one of the best examples regionally); while others looked dated within a few years. Taronga’s Rainforest Trail exhibit have mostly aged well, though the Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits could be bigger and a set up that allows them to house a larger number (1.2 adults) and breed would be good to see.

Taronga’s Rainforest is also a bit of a melting pot of South America, Central Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. A redevelopment could well provide the opportunity to streamline this area by transferring out the male squirrel monkeys and committing to Asian species, with the Pygmy hippopotamus and bongo joining the Congo precinct.

I too hope the pinnipeds have a future at Taronga and agree with your assessment on public opinion. Cetaceans remain the hot topic and elephants are a balancing act the zoo have long navigated, with an intention to phase out.

 

[Abbey]

It always amazes me how well some exhibits age (Melbourne Zoo’s Gorilla Rainforest being one of the best examples regionally); while others looked dated within a few years. Taronga’s Rainforest Trail exhibit have mostly aged well, though the Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits could be bigger and a set up that allows them to house a larger number (1.2 adults) and breed would be good to see.

Taronga’s Rainforest is also a bit of a melting pot of South America, Central Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. A redevelopment could well provide the opportunity to streamline this area by transferring out the male squirrel monkeys and committing to Asian species, with the Pygmy hippopotamus and bongo joining the Congo precinct.

I too hope the pinnipeds have a future at Taronga and agree with your assessment on public opinion. Cetaceans remain the hot topic and elephants are a balancing act the zoo have long navigated, with an intention to phase out.

That struck me when I was looking at your recent photos from Melbourne Zoo. Why I think exhibits like the Gorilla Rainforest and Melbourne's tiger exhibit have stood the test of time is, firstly, because they are appropriately spacious, but also because they have and are surrounded by plenty of natural foliage.

Both of those elements allow their 'non-architecture' style to shine. This was highlighted in the Taronga Zoo heritage report, to describe exhibits which position themselves as a slice of their biome in which the built elements are minimised. This description was used for Taronga's orangutan exhibit, which was less successful as it was too sunny for the inhabitants.

 

[Zoofan15]

That struck me when I was looking at your recent photos from Melbourne Zoo. Why I think exhibits like the Gorilla Rainforest and Melbourne's tiger exhibit have stood the test of time is, firstly, because they are appropriately spacious, but also because they have and are surrounded by plenty of natural foliage.

Both of those elements allow their 'non-architecture' style to shine. This was highlighted in the Taronga Zoo heritage report, to describe exhibits which position themselves as a slice of their biome in which the built elements are minimised. This description was used for Taronga's orangutan exhibit, which was less successful as it was too sunny for the inhabitants.

That’s very true. The same can be said for the Lion Park at Melbourne Zoo, which was groundbreaking for its time and even today would have been considered better than many exhibits for this species. I’ve always praised DDZ for taking the same approach - spacious, uncluttered.

 

[Jambo]

That’s very true. The same can be said for the Lion Park at Melbourne Zoo, which was groundbreaking for its time and even today would have been considered better than many exhibits for this species. I’ve always praised DDZ for taking the same approach - spacious, uncluttered.

It's a shame Melbourne demolished it. I feel like this was only done to prevent them from being stuck with such an exhibit long term that was very much a 'large cage'. It could've EASILY been renovated to make it more naturalistic looking eg. replacing the fencelines with newer fences, implementing viewing windows. Now we're stuck with a very underwhelming lion exhibit imo.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's a shame Melbourne demolished it. I feel like this was only done to prevent them from being stuck with such an exhibit long term that was very much a 'large cage'. It could've EASILY been renovated to make it more naturalistic looking eg. replacing the fencelines with newer fences, implementing viewing windows. Now we're stuck with a very underwhelming lion exhibit imo.

They even have a sign detailing the Lion Park and how the current exhibit is a further improvement on that. I beg to differ considering how fantastic the Lion Park was and how it enabled them to manage a large pride. It even had designated cubbing dens, which is impressive for 1966.