Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15

I agree with the breeding hubs with Sumatran Tigers and big space for Chimps and Lions, Im completely supporting of those projects. What Im saying is Taronga has the space for more species with the further phase outs planned and can establish further multiple exhibits for some species. There's room for at least two further decent sized exhibits for another big cat or medium cat species for example. Orangutans would get a decent space when Pak Boon and Tang Mo move to Dubbo.

Yes, I would personally like to see a Bornean orangutan breeding hub established at Taronga Zoo, especially if gorillas are phased out. A zoo of Taronga’s status should at least aspire to hold two great ape species; especially following reports Sydney Zoo want to acquire gorillas.

I don’t believe conceding gorillas will sink Taronga Zoo if they can replace them with an orangutan colony. They’re equally charismatic as chimps and gorillas and the potential for them to rotate or cohabit with gibbons only adds to their appeal. In line with the go big or go home mentality, it would be my preference to see at least three exhibits constructed to manage a colony of orangutans and a breeding pair of gibbons.

A founder group of 2.2 unrelated Bornean orangutans would ensure the formation of a sustainable colony for at least 2-3 decades.

 

[loganjmuir]

Reptile and Amphibian Centre

I’m really excited for the reptile and amphibian centre. It’s great to see them working with Taronga’s hilly terrain by building a multi-storey facility. Philippine crocodile will be an exciting addition to the upper level.

More development at the Zoo! — Mosman Parks & Bushland Association

Why on Earth have we included Meerkat in the species floor plan?? I only hope this means we intend to breed. And what animal is shown to the right of the Capybara?

 

[Zoofan15]

Why on Earth have we included Meerkat in the species floor plan?? I only hope this means we intend to breed. And what animal is shown to the right of the Capybara?View attachment 688820

Some zoos house meerkats with Leopard tortoise, so that would be my guess. My preference would be to see every available space dedicated to reptiles and amphibians given this is the theme of the complex, but I guess it will assist the zoo in managing multiple groups.

The logo to the right of the Capybara appears to be some sort of monitor (perhaps Komodo dragon).

 

[loganjmuir]

Some zoos house meerkats with Leopard tortoise, so that would be my guess. My preference would be to see every available space dedicated to reptiles and amphibians given this is the theme of the complex, but I guess it will assist the zoo in managing multiple groups.

The logo to the right of the Capybara appears to be some sort of monitor (perhaps Komodo dragon).

I thought as much, I wonder what will happen to the Saltwater Croc, the exhibit has been sitting empty and untouched for about a year now.

 

[Zoofan15]

I thought as much, I wonder what will happen to the Saltwater Croc, the exhibit has been sitting empty and untouched for about a year now.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see them focussing on other crocodilian species like the critically endangered Philippine crocodile going forward. While I don’t doubt International visitors enjoy seeing the Saltwater crocodile, they require a comparatively large amount of space and they aren’t endangered. Taronga will no doubt have weighed up what they bring to the party and how much of a draw they are versus the resources allocated to their exhibition.

 

[Zoofan15]

There's an discussion to be had around the Hippos. With the recent birth of Lololi, Taronga will require additional exhibits to house the family. I'm not at all saying a mixed species exhibit with the Hippo would work, it 100% wouldn't(looking at John Ball), but there is space for the Hippo Family and the existing moat could provide just what they need.

It’s clear Pygmy hippopotamus will be a focal point of future planning. They’ll surely be looking at a minimum of two new exhibits to continue breeding this species; and potentially import a new bull, following completion of the Hippopotamus IRA (with Fergus transferred out).

While Pygmy hippopotamus are ill-suited to cohabiting with ungulates, something more adept and aboreal like colobus could be possible.

 

[Jambo]

I thought as much, I wonder what will happen to the Saltwater Croc, the exhibit has been sitting empty and untouched for about a year now.

I believe they said that Saltwater Crocs wouldn't return following Rin Tin's departure back in 2021.

Like @Zoofan15 said a focus on smaller croc species like the Philippine Crocodile and Freshwater crocodiles is more likely.

With that in mind, I'd love to see a large Saltie exhibit at Dubbo sometime in the future.

 

[Jambo]

There's an discussion to be had around the Hippos. With the recent birth of Lololi, Taronga will require additional exhibits to house the family. I'm not at all saying a mixed species exhibit with the Hippo would work, it 100% wouldn't(looking at John Ball), but there is space for the Hippo Family and the existing moat could provide just what they need.

Whilst Lololi will likely be moved on once she reaches the adequate age, I do agree new facilities will probably be required sooner rather than later.

With Ekundu ageing, his exhibit presents an easy oppurtunity for an expansion going forward; and as has been mentioned on here before, part of the elephant enclosure could also be feasible for an expansion too.

 

[Zoofan15]

Whilst Lololi will likely be moved on once she reaches the adequate age, I do agree new facilities will probably be required sooner rather than later.

With Ekundu ageing, his exhibit presents an easy oppurtunity for an expansion going forward, and as has been mentioned on here before, part of the elephant enclosure could also be feasible.

I’m really intrigued what interest they’ll be in importing Pygmy hippopotamus when the IRA is completed. Male Common hippopotamus are literally needed to recommence breeding; but the lack of initiative from New Zealand zoos to import giraffe makes me wonder if they’ll continue inbreeding Pygmy hippopotamus for another decade or so.

Australasia’s Pygmy hippopotamus are already inbred, but not as severely as other ungulates in the region like Collary peccary, Barbary sheep and Indian antelope (the latter two which continue to be bred).

 

[loganjmuir]

https://majorprojects.planningporta...ttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
linked is a detailed plan including the species list for the ARC.
@Jambo is correct, there won't be salties at least in the ARC, but it doesn't say anything about Meerkats, although another plan shows them.

 

[Zoofan15]

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
linked is a detailed plan including the species list for the ARC.
@Jambo is correct, there won't be salties at least in the ARC, but it doesn't say anything about Meerkats, although another plan shows them.

Wow, what a great find!

It appears they’ll only be one Komodo dragon exhibit (at least for display purposes), suggesting Taronga won’t be breeding the species. Zoos like Adelaide and the Australian Reptile Park have dedicated facilities for breeding Komodo’s, so it’s not the end of the world, but would have been great to see nonetheless. The same for Philippine crocodile.

 

[loganjmuir]

Top floor layout
Second floor layout

Ground floor layout

@Zoofan15 While what you're saying makes sense, If the Dragons were to be held in the two exhibits marked 'Outdoor Area', 'Indoor Area' Taronga could potentially look at holding a pair. It looks like the North exhibit on the roof will hold the Philippine Croc, and I would expect the other roof exhibit to hold Rhinoceros Iguana.

 

[loganjmuir]

I think I may have been right, I found this while researching,

I suspect, with reason, the Philippine Croc will live in the North rooftop exhibit, the Dragons to have the West exhibit, and the Rhino Iguana and Tortoise to inhabit the other two, with the Tortoises taking the smaller exhibit on the East side.

 

[Zoofan15]

Top floor layoutView attachment 688849
Second floor layout
View attachment 688850
Ground floor layout
View attachment 688851
@Zoofan15 While what you're saying makes sense, If the Dragons were to be held in the two exhibits marked 'Outdoor Area', 'Indoor Area' Taronga could potentially look at holding a pair. It looks like the North exhibit on the roof will hold the Philippine Croc, and I would expect the other roof exhibit to hold Rhinoceros Iguana.

I could be wrong, but my assumption is it’ll house one grouping/one dragon as the exhibit is marked ‘Exhibit 1’ and the temperatures in Sydney would be too cold for the Komodo all year round.

Otherwise I’d agree that’s correct re. placement of the Philippine crocodile/Rhinoceros iguana exhibits.

 

[Osedax]

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
linked is a detailed plan including the species list for the ARC.
@Jambo is correct, there won't be salties at least in the ARC, but it doesn't say anything about Meerkats, although another plan shows them.

Wow! Philippine Crocodile, Radiated Tortoise, Green Tree Monitor, Grassland Earless Dragon and Alligator Snapping Turtle will be great additions to the collection!

 

[Jambo]

I could be wrong, but my assumption is it’ll house one grouping/one dragon as the exhibit is marked ‘Exhibit 1’ and the temperatures in Sydney would be too cold for the Komodo all year round.

That's correct, they'd need multiple indoor exhibits if they intended to hold multiple individuals. Otherwise it would be interesting to see how the exhibits are going to end up - hopefully there's better viewing than the previous exhibit.

 

[Abbey]

Just on the plan which seems to indicate meerkats being held in the reptile centre - I believe those plans are showing the overlay of the new development on top of what was there prior to construction. Where the meerkat icon is on the plan is where the short-term meerkat exhibit was located during the construction of the African savannah precinct.

 

[Jambo]

Just on the plan which seems to indicate meerkats being held in the reptile centre - I believe those plans are showing the overlay of the new development on top of what was there prior to construction. Where the meerkat icon is on the plan is where the short-term meerkat exhibit was located during the construction of the African savannah precinct.

That was my impression too, thanks for clearing it up.

 

[Tiger91]

That's correct, they'd need multiple indoor exhibits if they intended to hold multiple individuals. Otherwise it would be interesting to see how the exhibits are going to end up - hopefully there's better viewing than the previous exhibit.

It will be interesting to see if they utilise heat rocks for them so they can utilise the outside area all year. Or whether it'll only be an area set up for when temps are higher.

 

[Tiger91]

I thought as much, I wonder what will happen to the Saltwater Croc, the exhibit has been sitting empty and untouched for about a year now.

Salties won't be coming back, they did a thing about it. Then sort of back tracked because there reasoning made no sense. Of memory they tried the its to cold to effectively keep them in Sydney, then it was pointed out that the reptile park, feather dale etc all successfully keep them.
Taronga didn't want to spend the money or time on redoing the old exhibit.