Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

This is my personal opinion, but I hope that at least one more calf can be bred. Were, God forbid, anything to happen prematurely to Dora, Amala or Hari, it would be beneficial for there to be an extra rhino on the ground. If Dubbo are planning on continuing with the species long-term (which presumably they are), then they would only need to import one, rather than two, rhinos to create a future breeding pair with the offspring of Dora and Amala.

It would be great if they could have a female calf as she could potentially be housed with Amala into adulthood.

Indian rhinoceros are subject to the same reproductive issues as Southern white rhinoceros if not bred for an extended period; and subsequently there would be a requirement for the female calf to breed before she reached her mid-teens (ideally earlier), which would necessitate further imports.

The ideal of course would be for the import of a second unrelated pair, allowing pairings of first generation offspring; rather than mates for Dora/Amala offspring.

 

[loganjmuir]

Does anyone know what is happening with the Tamarin’s opposite the ARC? Their exhibit moat has been drained and they are starting to tear down the exhibit slowly.

 

[Zoofan15]

Does anyone know what is happening with the Tamarin’s opposite the ARC? Their exhibit moat has been drained and they are starting to tear down the exhibit slowly.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they built them a new exhibit elsewhere in the zoo; especially with the Rainforest Trail coming up for renewal with Eastern bongo (and possibly Fishing cat being phased out). Bolivian squirrel monkey and Capybara have moved in in recent times; so there’s strong potential for developing a South American trail imo.

Cotton-top tamarin don’t take up a lot of space and are a critically endangered species

 

[Zoofan15]

I wouldn’t be surprised if they built them a new exhibit elsewhere in the zoo; especially with the Rainforest Trail coming up for renewal with Eastern bongo (and possibly Fishing cat being phased out). Bolivian squirrel monkey and Capybara have moved in in recent times; so there’s strong potential for developing a South American trail imo.

Cotton-top tamarin don’t take up a lot of space and are a critically endangered species

On that note, I thought it’d be interesting to compare the regional holdings for Golden lion tamarin and Cotton-top tamarin:

Golden lion tamarin: 14 holders (2 in New Zealand; 12 in Australia).

Cotton-top tamarin: 26 holders (6 in New Zealand; 20 in Australia).

The region has an ageing population of Golden lion tamarin, with several zoos housing elderly or non-breeding animals; and others having phased out. By contrast, the Cotton-top tamarin population is booming. Though zoos such as Adelaide have had success in breeding large numbers of Golden lion tamarin; anecdotally, they appear harder to breed, with numerous pairs at other zoos failing to breed. Compare this to Cotton-top tamarins, which seem to breed like rabbits at every zoo that attempts to breed them.

In 2003, the Golden lion tamarin went from critically endangered to endangered; while in 2008, the Cotton-top tamarin went from endangered to critically endangered. This likely explains the regional trends observed - namely an exponential growth in numbers of the latter; while Golden lion tamarin numbers decline within Australian zoos. Considering neither species take up much room, it would be good to see more zoos hold both; and I particularly commend those who additionally holder either Red-handed tamarin or Emperor tamarin.

 

[Tiger91]

I doubt taronga would phase them out. With there rainforest trail it would be nice to see them do the area up and bring in some smaller species like tamarins and the bolivin squirrel monkeys into that area. Especially if they move the hippos out and build them new purpose built enclosures.


It really is quite telling that our major zoos even hesitate to hold small species such as tamarins. They are cheap and take up next to no room. But the room an exhibit takes up does take up room a café could be built on.

 

[Jambo]

Does anyone know what is happening with the Tamarin’s opposite the ARC? Their exhibit moat has been drained and they are starting to tear down the exhibit slowly.

I'd hope just restructuring the exhibit maybe. It is quite difficult to view them in the large tree they have access too. Afaik they do still have their family group. The plan was for them to be moved back onto display following the completion of ARC but it seems plans have since changed.

 

[Tiger91]

I'd hope just restructuring the exhibit maybe. It is quite difficult to view them in the large tree they have access too. Afaik they do still have their family group. The plan was for them to be moved back onto display following the completion of ARC but it seems plans have since changed.

The exhibit is one of my favorite ones at taronga, it would be nice to see them refurb the exhibit and display a species of mid sized monkeys there. The exhibit was a bit to small for gibbons byt they were easy to see, but the tamarins are a bit to difficult to see in there.

 

[Jambo]

The exhibit is one of my favorite ones at taronga, it would be nice to see them refurb the exhibit and display a species of mid sized monkeys there. The exhibit was a bit to small for gibbons byt they were easy to see, but the tamarins are a bit to difficult to see in there.

A species like Squirrel Monkeys would also be suitable - but I'd also like to see Red Pandas in the enclosure, with the large fig tree that specific exhibit has.

 

[Zoofan15]

A species like Squirrel Monkeys would also be suitable - but I'd also like to see Red Pandas in the enclosure, with the large fig tree that specific exhibit has.

Nepalese red pandas would be good as they’re otherwise a geographical outlier for Taronga Zoo. The red panda exhibit is paired with Himalayan monal at Wellington Zoo, which I like; but Taronga has limited options what would otherwise go with red panda.

 

[Tiger91]

A species like Squirrel Monkeys would also be suitable - but I'd also like to see Red Pandas in the enclosure, with the large fig tree that specific exhibit has.

Red pandas would also be a nice addition to the exhibit. It's a pitty taronga never invested in more primate enclosures like that centered around large fig trees. They make for fantastic exhibits and the figs do well in the sydney climate.

 

[Osedax]

A species like Squirrel Monkeys would also be suitable - but I'd also like to see Red Pandas in the enclosure, with the large fig tree that specific exhibit has.

Nepalese red pandas would be good as they’re otherwise a geographical outlier for Taronga Zoo. The red panda exhibit is paired with Himalayan monal at Wellington Zoo, which I like; but Taronga has limited options what would otherwise go with red panda.

Red pandas are in the area that they are in because they are in a shaded area where they can easily get the sea breeze, allowing them to keep cooler on hot Sydney days. As the precinct was originally called "Wild Asia", they used to fit. Now that it's "Rainforest Trail", they are an outlier as @Zoofan15 says, but I doubt most visitors notice, especially as the exhibits are quite well planted and blend right in with the other rainforest-themed exhibits nearby.

 

[loganjmuir]

The capybara on the rainforest trail taking up an exhibit feel like a bit of waste to be honest. Geographically there not really a rainforest species, and they are a species that are not really worth a doubling up of exhibit space that taronga lacks.

Seeing as Sanchez was transferred out to Sydney Zoo, it would not surprise me to see Taronga bring a female in from Sydney Zoo, and plan to breed with Rodney. Rodney’s move seems to be indefinite so breeding with Rodney doesn’t seem too far fetched. In the future Taronga could look to move out the 3 boys left in the original exhibit, and move Rodney’s family into that exhibit. Should they move them out, because as you say doubling up on a filler species is a tremendous waste of space, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Taronga look to bring in more South American species like Tapir(as was previously there, this time Baird’s), Tamarin as a replacement for Fishing Cat, and an antelope replacement for Ekundu.

 

[Zoofan15]

Seeing as Sanchez was transferred out to Sydney Zoo, it would not surprise me to see Taronga bring a female in from Sydney Zoo, and plan to breed with Rodney. Rodney’s move seems to be indefinite so breeding with Rodney doesn’t seem too far fetched. In the future Taronga could look to move out the 3 boys left in the original exhibit, and move Rodney’s family into that exhibit. Should they move them out, because as you say doubling up on a filler species is a tremendous waste of space, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Taronga look to bring in more South American species like Tapir(as was previously there, this time Baird’s), Tamarin as a replacement for Fishing Cat, and an antelope replacement for Ekundu.

I agree it’s likely Rodney would be paired with a female if breeding is to occur. There’s every indication the remaining males can remain a cohesive grouping, so it makes sense to pair the lone male. Ultimately it’ll depend on representation as these males have a brother breeding at Sydney Zoo and the regional Capybara population could benefit from new imports.

I’d love to see tapir at Taronga again, though I’d assume it would be the Brazilian species as per the regional interest in this species - with Adelaide, Melbourne etc. planning to import them in the near future.

I would also agree it’s likely we’ll see Fishing cat phased out. Hamilton plan to continue with them long term, but they don’t breed well when on display; and in any case, Taronga don’t appear to want to house them off display for this purpose. Arguably they could display a non-breeding cat/cats, but it’s more likely they’ll go for something else.

 

[Tiger91]

Seeing as Sanchez was transferred out to Sydney Zoo, it would not surprise me to see Taronga bring a female in from Sydney Zoo, and plan to breed with Rodney. Rodney’s move seems to be indefinite so breeding with Rodney doesn’t seem too far fetched. In the future Taronga could look to move out the 3 boys left in the original exhibit, and move Rodney’s family into that exhibit. Should they move them out, because as you say doubling up on a filler species is a tremendous waste of space, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Taronga look to bring in more South American species like Tapir(as was previously there, this time Baird’s), Tamarin as a replacement for Fishing Cat, and an antelope replacement for Ekundu.

This would be a much better plan then doubling up capybara, as nice as they are. They are not really a species that they should double up on. like the squirrel monkeys they arnt a species that high enough in profile for taronga to use its limited space on, especially with there lack of exotics. A good plan would be to move the boys out to western plains, capybara would be a good species for them to require. They would be a cheap enclosure to build if not use in one they already have.

Tapir would be a great replacement for the pygmy hippos, the exhibits were also designed for them. Im hoping that taronga will continue on with fishing cat or at least bring in another small feline if they don't.

 

[Jambo]

Tapir would be a great replacement for the pygmy hippos, the exhibits were also designed for them. Im hoping that taronga will continue on with fishing cat or at least bring in another small feline if they don't.

In saying that, the enclosures are on the smaller side for Tapirs, let alone Pygmy Hippos. The Bongo exhibit would probably be more suitable size wise imo.

 

[Zoofan15]

This would be a much better plan then doubling up capybara, as nice as they are. They are not really a species that they should double up on. like the squirrel monkeys they arnt a species that high enough in profile for taronga to use its limited space on, especially with there lack of exotics. A good plan would be to move the boys out to western plains, capybara would be a good species for them to require. They would be a cheap enclosure to build if not use in one they already have.

Tapir would be a great replacement for the pygmy hippos, the exhibits were also designed for them. Im hoping that taronga will continue on with fishing cat or at least bring in another small feline if they don't.

I’m hopeful Taronga will consider Clouded leopard. Hamilton Zoo were reportedly considering them, so not sure if the plan is for the region to acquire additional founders and establish a semi-sustainable population; or whether the others are waiting for the WCCC to breed their Clouded leopard and supply them with non-breeding surplus for display.

As with small felids, holding breeding pairs off display would enhance breeding success.

 

[Jambo]

I’m hopeful Taronga will consider Clouded leopard. Hamilton Zoo were reportedly considering them, so not sure if the plan is for the region to acquire additional founders and establish a semi-sustainable population; or whether the others are waiting for the WCCC to breed their Clouded leopard and supply them with non-breeding surplus for display.

As with small felids, holding breeding pairs off display would enhance breeding success.

I think Clouded Leopard would be a great addition to Taronga, or any species of Leopard to be fair.

The current Fishing Cat exhibit is fairly small, so wouldn't be big enough for a species of Leopard. Realistically there's not really any obvious suitable location for them within the Rainforest trail, besides the current Bongo enclosure which would need to done up quite a bit for them.

 

[Zoofan15]

I think Clouded Leopard would be a great addition to Taronga, or any species of Leopard to be fair.

The current Fishing Cat exhibit is fairly small, so wouldn't be big enough for a species of Leopard. Realistically there's not really any obvious suitable location for them within the Rainforest trail, besides the current Bongo enclosure which would need to done up quite a bit for them.

It’d be great to see either Sri Lankan leopard or Clouded leopard at Taronga. The advantage of both these felids is that they prefer cages with height rather than length, so are relatively space efficient for city zoos.

Looking at the map, the tigers are in reasonable proximity to the bongo exhibit etc. so that would be undesirable for Clouded leopards.

An extensive renovation of the camel exhibit for either Sri Lankan leopard or Clouded leopard would be amazing; not to mention a better fit for the adjoining elephant temple architecture than Dromedary camels.

 

[Tiger91]

In saying that, the enclosures are on the smaller side for Tapirs, let alone Pygmy Hippos. The Bongo exhibit would probably be more suitable size wise imo.

I mean take this with a grain of salt, I havent gotten the tape measure out. But I have always had the impression that the current bongo exhibit is small while the pygmy hippo enclosures were larger. Could just be how they were built as well, giving of that impression.

In saying that though, if they did bring in Brazilians they would be able to open up both exhibits giving them a single larger exhibit.

 

[Tiger91]

It’d be great to see either Sri Lankan leopard or Clouded leopard at Taronga. The advantage of both these felids is that they prefer cages with height rather than length, so are relatively space efficient for city zoos.

Looking at the map, the tigers are in reasonable proximity to the bongo exhibit etc. so that would be undesirable for Clouded leopards.

An extensive renovation of the camel exhibit for either Sri Lankan leopard or Clouded leopard would be amazing; not to mention a better fit for the adjoining elephant temple architecture than Dromedary camels.

The area the tigers are in if they got rid of that stupid fake village and plane combined with the sun bear exhibits. Could easily be redeveloped into newer sunbear exhibits and a leopard exhibit that compliments the tigers. And it would give you 3 prominent predators from the region right next to each other. If they were going to redevelop an area for clouded leopard, if they were to move the pygmy hippos out to there own enclosure the combined space of the two enclosures there plus behind the scenes space would surely be large enough for clouded leopard. They would be a great fit with the small clawed otter and Fracious langur.