Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Abbey]

Western plains hasn't had any majour redevelopments or developments in a long time. All there stuff has been either conservation based and mostly of display. Or in the realm or cafes, play areas and accomodation. Which given the location is more genuinely needed then say what taronga has done. The zoo is in desperate need to of revitalising itself, they have lost a large amount of species and haven't gained anything substantial apart from the platypus HQ.

It's high time the zoo redesigns itself and starts redoing itself or it will suffer more visitor losses. As soon the other open range zoos will be miles ahead. Why they have never redeveloped the primate areas and added new exhibits for gibbons (the simian exhibit was actually quite small and the reason I believe they didn't require them), and add in exhibits for chimps, gorillas and squirrel monkeys is beyond me. The primates were popular and they have let them dwindle down. A lot of space that used to be used for ungulates is now being used for ungulates but on repeat. You see zebra on the savannah, you see zebra in there species only exhibit. The taronga foundation needs to start realising if they dont start putting effort into the zoo they won't get increased visitation its too far in the middle of no where to be so average.

While I enjoyed the Wild Asia section of the zoo, I did notice that there were a few areas where it seemed like there were a lot of walking for not many animals. Perhaps it's more noticeable because the rest of the zoo is drive-through. It would be interesting to see how they redevelop it without losing too much of the tree cover, which is an asset.

I thought that the siamang (now white-handed gibbon) exhibit was more than adequate. They have access to two islands, so it would be comparable to the exhibits at Mogo, I think. While repeat exhibits may not be as engaging for visitors, they do assist zoos with holding the animals they breed long-term.

 

[Zoofan15]

Western plains hasn't had any majour redevelopments or developments in a long time. All there stuff has been either conservation based and mostly of display. Or in the realm or cafes, play areas and accomodation. Which given the location is more genuinely needed then say what taronga has done. The zoo is in desperate need to of revitalising itself, they have lost a large amount of species and haven't gained anything substantial apart from the platypus HQ.

It's high time the zoo redesigns itself and starts redoing itself or it will suffer more visitor losses. As soon the other open range zoos will be miles ahead. Why they have never redeveloped the primate areas and added new exhibits for gibbons (the simian exhibit was actually quite small and the reason I believe they didn't require them), and add in exhibits for chimps, gorillas and squirrel monkeys is beyond me. The primates were popular and they have let them dwindle down. A lot of space that used to be used for ungulates is now being used for ungulates but on repeat. You see zebra on the savannah, you see zebra in there species only exhibit. The taronga foundation needs to start realising if they dont start putting effort into the zoo they won't get increased visitation its too far in the middle of no where to be so average.

I think the biggest issue with large integrated savannahs (such as the one Dubbo are planning) is from the outset, they’re limited in the species they can hold. Whether it’s antelope speices that can hybridise with each other or territorial bulls that are intolerant of other species. For the sake of having an exhibit that stretches as far as the eye can see, we pay the price via a lack of diversity.

Realistically, the best thing they can do is subdivide the precinct into multiple paddocks (with gates for the safari bus to pass through) and fill them with a variety of species. It’s a simple but effective concept that’s been around for decades in safari parks overseas.

 

[loganjmuir]

Rockhampton’s troop would greatly benefit from the addition of Sembe. Sembe has just turned 16 years old (DOB 27/02/2008) and has been an outcast of Taronga’s community for a number of years. Offspring equals status and despite reducing reproductive age eight years ago, Sembe still has no offspring (due to being placed on contraception). By comparison, Sacha had had three offspring by her age; and Lisa and Shiba had each had two.

Cassius is a behavioural non-breeder, but still intact; while Jerry is castrated. Like you say, Rockhampton effectively have a 1.1 breeding pair in Alon and Leakey. The plan is for their daughters to transfer out and given the demographics of Rockhampton’s troop, I imagine Gandali will be retained (he apparently has a close bond to Alon). Sembe would therefore provide a potential breeding partner for Gandali; though tbh, it’s unlikely he’ll getting a looking with Alon well established as a (young) alpha male.

I would also transfer Shona due to her being in the same situation as Sembe. She’d add to Rockhampton’s female numbers and fare better in a small troop imo. Rockhampton would then have two breeding females; while planning to send away Capri and Mzuri long term.

Gandali became quite close with Alon following Holly's passing, and Samantha's passing certainly won't help that. Given their small number, each individual plays a key role in the group dynamic, so they're all close to each other despite this. I expect Sydney Zoo to take on Mzuri and Capri in the coming years as they won't greatly impact Taronga, and Sydney's numbers are dwindling as of my last visit(3/2/24). I'm unsure of their exact numbers because I read something about a grouping of 10 in 2020, but was informed of 1.2 on my visit. Should Shona also transfer to Rockhampton, It leaves them in a position to potentially breed Gandali as well. He is valuable and in his youth offers an opportunity for other facilities. Otherwise it will be quite wasteful.

 

[Zoofan15]

Gandali became quite close with Alon following Holly's passing, and Samantha's passing certainly won't help that. Given their small number, each individual plays a key role in the group dynamic, so they're all close to each other despite this. I expect Sydney Zoo to take on Mzuri and Capri in the coming years as they won't greatly impact Taronga, and Sydney's numbers are dwindling as of my last visit(3/2/24). I'm unsure of their exact numbers because I read something about a grouping of 10 in 2020, but was informed of 1.2 on my visit. Should Shona also transfer to Rockhampton, It leaves them in a position to potentially breed Gandali as well. He is valuable and in his youth offers an opportunity for other facilities. Otherwise it will be quite wasteful.

Sydney Zoo have 4.4 chimpanzees, including three neutered males. Introducing adult (intact) males is extremely difficult and so I imagine they’ll be watching to see how Rockhampton go with introducing Jerry to Alon. If it’s successful, if offers hope that once Sydney’s ageing intact male passes on, an intact male/males could potentially be brought in to head up a breeding troop. Possibly adolescents from Taronga.

Sydney Zoo’s decision not to breed from their troop is due to uncertainty over their skills in rearing young from what I’ve heard. Whether they would be open to breeding with the introduction of additional mother raised females from within the region in the future, I don’t know.

Otherwise, Taronga could be a strong candidate for receiving Capri and Mzuri. It’s well proven introducing related females into an exisiting troop is the most effective formula, as they can provide each other with support. Unless Zola at Monarto Safari Park was sired by Sandali (closely related to most of Taronga’s community), Hope and Zola would be another two strong candidates for transferring to Taronga Zoo imo. Neither Tsotsi, Zombi or Hannah are represented in Taronga’s community.

 

[Jambo]

Sydney Zoo’s decision not to breed from their troop is due to uncertainty over their skills in rearing young from what I’ve heard. Whether they would be open to breeding with the introduction of additional mother raised females from within the region in the future, I don’t know.

Otherwise, Taronga could be a strong candidate for receiving Capri and Mzuri. It’s well proven introducing related females into an exisiting troop is the most effective formula, as they can provide each other with support. Unless Zola at Monarto Safari Park was sired by Sandali (closely related to most of Taronga’s community), Hope and Zola would be another two strong candidates for transferring to Taronga Zoo imo. Neither Tsotsi, Zombi or Hannah are represented in Taronga’s community.

Rockhampton's girls will very likely end up elsewhere. Where exactly can be debated. Taronga will be in strong desire of new females in a decades time. The hope would be to see them re-import from overseas, but otherwise Rockhampton's young girls are some of the very few unrelated females in the region to the troop.

Monarto will also require new females potentially, although their troop has better succession potential compared to Taronga's imo based on demographics. Their only options are the Rockhampton girls or to import from overseas. I'm hoping they take the initiative and import females from overseas.

Wellington and Hamilton can't also be ruled out. Wellington will need new females and either of Rockhampton's young girls or Monarto's will probably head there imo. Hamilton is in a precarious position where Monarto's young girls (if sired by Tsotsi) are related to their young girls. Theoretically if the young girls are retained, the only option would be Rockhampton's young girls (or sourcing from overseas). But this is obviously not guaranteed as Hamilton may chose to start their troop over entirely.

 

[loganjmuir]

Sydney Zoo have 4.4 chimpanzees, including three neutered males. Introducing adult (intact) males is extremely difficult and so I imagine they’ll be watching to see how Rockhampton go with introducing Jerry to Alon. If it’s successful, if offers hope that once Sydney’s ageing intact male passes on, an intact male/males could potentially be brought in to head up a breeding troop. Possibly adolescents from Taronga.

Thanks, according to socials as of late, Jerry has been successfully introduced to Alon. The next step is introduction to the rest of the troop. Considering Alon's introduction is the most important, it makes the whole process a lot easier on staff and on the Chimp's themselves.

Sydney's decision to refrain from breeding is certainly surprising to say the least. While it is a new zoo, they have the capabilities and facilities to rear young regardless. I do agree with you however is Sydney were to acquire a previously successful breeding female, they could look into breeding the Chimps. You mentioned the reasoning behind the decision was uncertainty over skills, did you mean the zoo as a whole or just the troop? Because the Baboons have been wildly successful.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks, according to socials as of late, Jerry has been successfully introduced to Alon. The next step is introduction to the rest of the troop. Considering Alon's introduction is the most important, it makes the whole process a lot easier on staff and on the Chimp's themselves.

Sydney's decision to refrain from breeding is certainly surprising to say the least. While it is a new zoo, they have the capabilities and facilities to rear young regardless. I do agree with you however is Sydney were to acquire a previously successful breeding female, they could look into breeding the Chimps. You mentioned the reasoning behind the decision was uncertainty over skills, did you mean the zoo as a whole or just the troop? Because the Baboons have been wildly successful.

That’s good news. Usually the alpha male is the first to be introduced during introductions as the others will then take cues from his acceptance of the new chimpanzee. Jerry has seen infants and juveniles before, so fingers crossed the rest of the introductions will go smoothly.

I was referring to the chimpanzee troop (they have an experienced team of keepers) as some of the chimpanzees from their facility were handraised and it’s unknown how they’d get on as a troop with rearing young. It may be better for an experienced mother to transfer over (along with her daughter) and go from there; or they may just receive mother-raised adolescent females and go from there. I can’t see any zoo in the region wanting to remove one of their adult (breeding females) at this point in time.

 

[Tiger91]

While I enjoyed the Wild Asia section of the zoo, I did notice that there were a few areas where it seemed like there were a lot of walking for not many animals. Perhaps it's more noticeable because the rest of the zoo is drive-through. It would be interesting to see how they redevelop it without losing too much of the tree cover, which is an asset.

I thought that the siamang (now white-handed gibbon) exhibit was more than adequate. They have access to two islands, so it would be comparable to the exhibits at Mogo, I think. While repeat exhibits may not be as engaging for visitors, they do assist zoos with holding the animals they breed long-term.

It would be good to see them redevelop the zoo with a plan. The same that they do with taronga. Redeveloping areas and building adequate back of house areas would enable them to cut down on doubling up of exhibits while also maintaining capacity to hold/breed/manage species. The zoo has never really had large scale redevelopments and the last time I was there things were looking worn. And a lot of those areas havent be redone in the last 10 years.
Same with species wise, they have lost species but havent really made any advancements into acquiring anything new other then greater one horned rhino. The zoo is in desperate need to of redevelopment and new species added. For example, they have two meerkat exhibits, yet fennec fox would have been better of used in one. Which are equally popular with the public.

The former siamang exhibits aren't small but they aren't especially large either. It would be nice to see the gibbon exhibits redone, and new exhibits added and the zoo to require gibbons. Siamang, white cheeked and silvery are all in the region, all popular and for a zoo as large as western plains there is no real reason they couldn't hold all three species. Especially when much small private zoos with much much small budgets are holding collections that are of similar or larger size these days.

 

[Tiger91]

I think the biggest issue with large integrated savannahs (such as the one Dubbo are planning) is from the outset, they’re limited in the species they can hold. Whether it’s antelope speices that can hybridise with each other or territorial bulls that are intolerant of other species. For the sake of having an exhibit that stretches as far as the eye can see, we pay the price via a lack of diversity.

Realistically, the best thing they can do is subdivide the precinct into multiple paddocks (with gates for the safari bus to pass through) and fill them with a variety of species. It’s a simple but effective concept that’s been around for decades in safari parks overseas.

That's is a good idea, however even if they just imported a few more species to fill it out. If they imported impala, nyala and a gazelle species. to mix with eland, white rhino, zebra and giraffe. That would fill the exhibit out nicely and make a nice attraction. All of the species are decently able to cohabit large exhibits and are unable to cross breed. The zoo association no doubt spent a lot of money into passing the new bovine import laws (or someone did) and they just arnt using them. Which is a shame. Because compared to zoos of equivalent sizes overseas. Our zoos are on a species level are woefully behind. And its not like the taronga foundation doesn't have the funding or man power to put it into action. But they sure can build eco resorts which requires more money and man power to put into reality.

 

[Zorro]

That's is a good idea, however even if they just imported a few more species to fill it out. If they imported impala, nyala and a gazelle species. to mix with eland, white rhino, zebra and giraffe. That would fill the exhibit out nicely and make a nice attraction. All of the species are decently able to cohabit large exhibits and are unable to cross breed. The zoo association no doubt spent a lot of money into passing the new bovine import laws (or someone did) and they just arnt using them. Which is a shame. Because compared to zoos of equivalent sizes overseas. Our zoos are on a species level are woefully behind. And its not like the taronga foundation doesn't have the funding or man power to put it into action. But they sure can build eco resorts which requires more money and man power to put into reality.

There has been a trend in the larger zoos to down size the number of species for a few years now, It appears importing much of anything is not on the top of the agenda unfortunately.

 

[Zoofan15]

That's is a good idea, however even if they just imported a few more species to fill it out. If they imported impala, nyala and a gazelle species. to mix with eland, white rhino, zebra and giraffe. That would fill the exhibit out nicely and make a nice attraction. All of the species are decently able to cohabit large exhibits and are unable to cross breed. The zoo association no doubt spent a lot of money into passing the new bovine import laws (or someone did) and they just arnt using them. Which is a shame. Because compared to zoos of equivalent sizes overseas. Our zoos are on a species level are woefully behind. And it’snot like the taronga foundation doesn't have the funding or man power to put it into action. But they sure can build eco resorts which requires more money and man power to put into reality.

I too have been underwhelmed by the extent to which the region’s zoos have utilised the Bovid IRA, though it’s worth noting that imports take years to organise (I believe Steve quoted six years for DDZ to import zebras from the US). The IRA was passed just under three years ago for Australia, so we might see the results in the next year or two.

Re. The integrated Savannah. Lowland nyala are ideal. They breed like rabbits and cohabit well with other species in large habitats. Zebra stallions remain an issue around smaller ungulates (including calves of larger species such as giraffe). Werribee for example house a breeding herd of zebra with bull giraffe.

 

[Tiger91]

I too have been underwhelmed by the extent to which the region’s zoos have utilised the Bovid IRA, though it’s worth noting that imports take years to organise (I believe Steve quoted six years for DDZ to import zebras from the US). The IRA was passed just under three years ago for Australia, so we might see the results in the next year or two.

That's is true, hopefully there are imports planned that we dont know about yet. However, with the trend of our public zoos. I wouldn't hold my breath for it. The only zoo that has plans for importing ungulates that I know of (outside rhino) is Monarto.

Re. The integrated Savannah. Lowland nyala are ideal. They breed like rabbits and cohabit well with other species in large habitats. Zebra stallions remain an issue around smaller ungulates (including calves of larger species such as giraffe). Werribee for example house a breeding herd of zebra with bull giraffe.

Western plains savannah only holds bull giraffe. The breeding herd are kept in there giraffe exhibit. Which I dont for see changing. It's the only double up of species that makes sense. They add to the savannah. But the breeding herd in the giraffe exhibit is where you get up closer to them and they do the keeper talks and encounters/feeds. So it works for them. It also gives them the ability to keep breeding at will as they accommodate any males not transferred out in the bachelor herd.

 

[Zoofan15]

That's is true, hopefully there are imports planned that we dont know about yet. However, with the trend of our public zoos. I wouldn't hold my breath for it. The only zoo that has plans for importing ungulates that I know of (outside rhino) is Monarto.



Western plains savannah only holds bull giraffe. The breeding herd are kept in there giraffe exhibit. Which I dont for see changing. It's the only double up of species that makes sense. They add to the savannah. But the breeding herd in the giraffe exhibit is where you get up closer to them and they do the keeper talks and encounters/feeds. So it works for them. It also gives them the ability to keep breeding at will as they accommodate any males not transferred out in the bachelor herd.

I wouldn’t mind seeing the region cease breeding giraffe and generic zebra:

We have the foundations of a thriving Grant’s zebra breeding programme and within the decade, could be breeding on a scale to supply purebred zebras to all facilities within the region. In the meantime, there’s plenty of generics to go around without needing to breed more.

New Zealand has a Giraffe IRA, so Australia could either import via New Zealand (ideally importing young juveniles to account for the 12 months of growing in quarantine); or a New Zealand zoo (perhaps Hamilton, who now has just two elderly bulls) could import 1.2 founders and supply Australia with their first generation offspring. The region’s giraffe population is reasonably inbred, yet we have the option to address this.

 

[loganjmuir]

I was at Taronga today and the Platypus living in the exhibit beside the floral clock was unsigned and unaccounted for. Does anyone know what has become of them? Besides this, the Tamarin viewing next to the new ARC has been reopened without the noise barrier.

 

[Jambo]

I was at Taronga today and the Platypus living in the exhibit beside the floral clock was unsigned and unaccounted for. Does anyone know what has become of them? Besides this, the Tamarin viewing next to the new ARC has been reopened without the noise barrier.

I believe they've been moved into the new Nocturnal house. I don't think a platypus has been in that exhibit for a while now.

 

[Osedax]

I believe they've been moved into the new Nocturnal house. I don't think a platypus has been in that exhibit for a while now.

The platypus in the nocturnal house is Matilda, a young rescued individual. The one near the floral clock I believe was the adult male Mackenzie, who has now moved to Dubbo. I will try to confirm this in the holidays.

 

[Jambo]

The platypus in the nocturnal house is Matilda, a young rescued individual. The one near the floral clock I believe was the adult male Mackenzie, who has now moved to Dubbo. I will try to confirm this in the holidays.

That would make sense as I only ever recalled one single individual being located in that enclosure.

Isn't there also an individual in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk? I recall seeing someone mention they saw one there recently on socials.

 

[loganjmuir]

I believe they've been moved into the new Nocturnal house. I don't think a platypus has been in that exhibit for a while now.

Mackenzie certainly shouldn’t be in Nuwying Nura. Only Matilda is housed in the Nocturnal House

Isn't there also an individual in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk? I recall seeing someone mention they saw one there recently on socials.

But there should be a platypus in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk.

 

[Zoofan15]

Mackenzie certainly shouldn’t be in Nuwying Nura. Only Matilda is housed in the Nocturnal House

But there should be a platypus in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk.

Yep, Mackenzie moved to Dubbo as per the update from @Osedax above.

Perhaps his exhibit is currently empty until a replacement arrives. Matilda in the nocturnal house should suffice any visitor’s need to see a Platypus in the interim; and the opening of NN has as such timed well with the opening of Dubbo’s facility.

 

[Osedax]

Isn't there also an individual in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk? I recall seeing someone mention they saw one there recently on socials.

But there should be a platypus in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk.

Yes, there is a female in BMB, although she is extremely hard to spot. I have seen her twice in well over 50 visits since 2018.