Taronga Zoo Future of Taronga Zoo (Speculation / Fantasy)

[Zoofan15]

These are good ideas!.
Some of the lawns are of memory heritage listed, they havent changed since the zoo opened. Which is a good thing to keep. These are the places they should concentrate retaurants/food/beverages around and kids play areas. The views are fantastic, and it would free up other areas for development. If they were to move the tortoise up closer to ARC, i dont think they have any andean condor anymore, or if so are they still on display?. That would free up a quite large area of land as you stated. At one point it was slated to be developed into an elephant exhibit expansion. Now the zoo no longer houses elephants an expansion into orangutan/gibbons would be a fantastic use of the space.

However the current trend at Taronga i wouldn't expect them to be developed for anything animal related sadly. For the first time in a while the map actually has a fair amount of unused space between exhibits. Which is sad, when you think taronga has steep terrain something that would lend itself well to primates especially with mesh exhibits. Which is a theme they are using and looks quite good at the moment. They could easily incorporate the large trees without removing them.

Taronga still has Andean condor. They have a female, who was bred at Taronga Zoo to their retired breeding pair. I did read on here that two of her siblings have been paired up (presumably for breeding) given we can’t import the species. It would be a real shame to lose this species from the region after so many decades - this particular family line dating back to the 1940’s.

Originally it was built because to many people living in cities had lost a sense of where food comes from. I remeber in 2010 at uni listening to a keeper talk about how adults were surprised to see milk was coming from. So back in that time period it was deemed necessary. It did indeed have a much higher guest engagement. However times have changed very rapidly, people are far more aware of food, there are far more food intolerances and vegan people around. The general public is much, much more aware of these things. Which takes BTB main attraction out of it.

It is close to Nura Diya, it would be nice to see the aussie natives retained and exhibits added at the back of Nura Diya added to them. But then it leaves a large area of BTB that could be redeveloped. If you look at BTB and the surrounding area, you could easily build the new gorilla complex, and then new pygmy hippo enclosures in that area and the surrounding areas, including the area Steve outlined above. Bonus points the gorillas and hippo can stay put while its developed and the development is basically for the most part out of the way.

If the zoo wished to retain a petting zoo. There is space around the tree tops area or where they currently keep the sheep in the old aussie exhibit area to have small one. But is it really needed, are kids learning about conservation and getting engagment with exotic animals if they are playing with barnyard animals.

I’m very curious to see what eventuates with gorillas. There’s little to no chance of orangutans returning to Taronga; so an ongoing focus on gorillas (as well as chimpanzees) seems likely.

Unless they give consideration to holding bachelor gorilla males at Dubbo, Taronga will presumably consider building new exhibits with the view of maintaining a bachelor troop alongside the breeding troop. The troop they have is cohesive for now; but given the age of the adolescent males, that’s testament to their personalities (and the tolerance of their father) as much as anything. Kibabu and Fataki clashed far more; though the culture was very different in their troop.

 

[Jambo]

I’m very curious to see what eventuates with gorillas. There’s little to no chance of orangutans returning to Taronga; so an ongoing focus on gorillas (as well as chimpanzees) seems likely.

Unless they give consideration to holding bachelor gorilla males at Dubbo, Taronga will presumably consider building new exhibits with the view of maintaining a bachelor troop alongside the breeding troop. The troop they have is cohesive for now; but given the age of the adolescent males, that’s testament to their personalities (and the tolerance of their father) as much as anything. Kibabu and Fataki clashed far more; though the culture was very different in their troop.

If there are to be no regional imports in the meantime it would make the most sense to separate the males and females and just send the trio of females down to Melbourne to join their breeding group. Obviously this can be ruled out due to Johari's nature - but it would be the best option in the meantime if Taronga don't intend to expand their current gorilla complex. Who knows how much longer the group is going to remain cohesive with minimal issues with the males now approaching their 'blackback' years.

 

[Zoofan15]

If there are to be no regional imports in the meantime it would make the most sense to separate the males and females and just send the trio of females down to Melbourne to join their breeding group. Obviously this can be ruled out due to Johari's nature - but it would be the best option in the meantime if Taronga don't intend to expand their current gorilla complex. Who knows how much longer the group is going to remain cohesive with minimal issues with the males now approaching their 'blackback' years.

I’d agree with that. Despite getting on in years, Frala is a mother-raised female who should be able to assimilate into Otana’s troop; and Mbeli certainly would be able to. Mbeli is an ambitious female; but her half-sister Kimya has her own daughter and would likely step up to make an effort with Otana if she had some friendly competition!

Johari’s best option from there would be to go to Mogo imo. Kisane is maturing into a tolerant silverback, accepting Kaius back (as well as G-Anne).

 

[Jambo]

I’d agree with that. Despite getting on in years, Frala is a mother-raised female who should be able to assimilate into Otana’s troop; and Mbeli certainly would be able to. Mbeli is an ambitious female; but her half-sister Kimya has her own daughter and would likely step up to make an effort with Otana if she had some friendly competition!

Johari’s best option from there would be to go to Mogo imo. Kisane is maturing into a tolerant silverback, accepting Kaius back (as well as G-Anne).

The connections between Frala, Mbeli and Kimya should certainly help come introductions. I imagine Kanzi would also be ecstatic to have some new friends; I've always felt like she's missed out on the luxury of having other offspring or other gorillas in general to interact with, besides her parents and Yuska.

Not to mention Johari would also remember G Ann at Mogo, of whom was an aunty figure to Johari when she was younger. I'm sure G Ann would appreciate that company, being not as close with the other Mogo females.

 

[Zoofan15]

The connections between Frala, Mbeli and Kimya should certainly help come introductions. I imagine Kanzi would also be ecstatic to have some new friends; I've always felt like she's missed out on the luxury of having other offspring or other gorillas in general to interact with, besides her parents and Yuska.

Not to mention Johari would also remember G Ann at Mogo, of whom was an aunty figure to Johari when she was younger. I'm sure G Ann would appreciate that company, being not as close with the other Mogo females.

Kanzi’s upbringing has been very unique compared to her peers at Taronga, who have benefited immensely
from being part of a cohort. It’s evident from videos I’ve seen that Mbeli, Fataki and Kimya had a lot of fun together as juveniles, with the varying statuses of their mothers being no boundary to their interactions.

Johari is very much on the fringes of Taronga’s troop with the dispersal of the gorillas being very much typical on my visit. Mbeli and Frala within a reasonable proximity to Kibale; and the three adolescents hanging out with each other. Johari has little to any ties within the Taronga troop.

 

[Tiger91]

On the plus side, if Taronga move the female gorillas out, once they decide what they are going to do with the black back males. It leaves them open to importing 2 or 3 females that they could then breed with to restart there troop.

 

[Zoofan15]

On the plus side, if Taronga move the female gorillas out, once they decide what they are going to do with the black back males. It leaves them open to importing 2 or 3 females that they could then breed with to restart there troop.

If they went the route of sourcing new females, they would need to split the bachelor troop so a single male was heading it up - likely Kibale who is genetically valuable; and demographically the best choice (adolescent males being better suited to forming new bachelor troops).

 

[Tiger91]

Taronga still has Andean condor. They have a female, who was bred at Taronga Zoo to their retired breeding pair. I did read on here that two of her siblings have been paired up (presumably for breeding) given we can’t import the species. It would be a real shame to lose this species from the region after so many decades - this particular family line dating back to the 1940’s.

Are they still on display? They used to have the female in the free flight show. Then the pair in there netted enclosure. However my last visit the display exhibit was empty, and there was no mention of the free flight bird one. They are a very impressive species when they fly just over your head!.

[/QUOTE]I’m very curious to see what eventuates with gorillas. There’s little to no chance of orangutans returning to Taronga; so an ongoing focus on gorillas (as well as chimpanzees) seems likely.

Unless they give consideration to holding bachelor gorilla males at Dubbo, Taronga will presumably consider building new exhibits with the view of maintaining a bachelor troop alongside the breeding troop. The troop they have is cohesive for now; but given the age of the adolescent males, that’s testament to their personalities (and the tolerance of their father) as much as anything. Kibabu and Fataki clashed far more; though the culture was very different in their troop.[/QUOTE]

Dubbo needs new species, while taronga has declined, Dubbo never had a huge species list outside of in ungulates. While its attraction has always been the large animals in large herds, there ungulate and primate species lists have shrunk. They could do with a bachelor troop of gorillas to liven up the collection.

 

[Zoofan15]

Are they still on display? They used to have the female in the free flight show. Then the pair in there netted enclosure. However my last visit the display exhibit was empty, and there was no mention of the free flight bird one. They are a very impressive species when they fly just over your head!.

One female Andean condor was in the netted exhibit and then later seen at the bird show on my November visit:

 

[Tiger91]

It's good to see them back out again!.
It'll be interesting when bird imports open back up again what species will actually be imported and whether the zoo take advantage of it. I know a few large private breeders were gearing up for the future imports.

ETA: Nice pictures!.

 

[Jambo]

One female Andean condor was in the netted exhibit and then later seen at the bird show on my November visit:

View attachment 758095

View attachment 758096

It's good to see them back out again!.
It'll be interesting when bird imports open back up again what species will actually be imported and whether the zoo take advantage of it. I know a few large private breeders were gearing up for the future imports.

The female is the youngest of the previous Taronga offspring. I believe her parents have since passed, but I may be wrong.

 

[Zoofan15]

It's good to see them back out again!.
It'll be interesting when bird imports open back up again what species will actually be imported and whether the zoo take advantage of it. I know a few large private breeders were gearing up for the future imports.

It’s only the Parrot IRA in progress at this stage unfortunately. It would be great to see other exotics like condors and flamingos.

 

[Zoofan15]

The female is the youngest of the previous Taronga offspring. I believe her parents have since passed, but I may be wrong.

The female is the second youngest. The youngest was exported to the US unfortunately. There is an off display facility that the parents were retired to, but they may well have passed by now.

 

[Tiger91]

It’s only the Parrot IRA in progress at this stage unfortunately. It would be great to see other exotics like condors and flamingos.

Admittedly i havent looked into it fully, but i think it started as parrot but they are opening it up to other birds as well. Softbills have taken of in recent years and there is interest in diversifying what we have/importing what has fallen through the cracks.

 

[Zoofan15]

Admittedly i havent looked into it fully, but i think it started as parrot but they are opening it up to other birds as well. Softbills have taken of in recent years and there is interest in diversifying what we have/importing what has fallen through the cracks.

It’s called the Psittacine IRA and is currently in the Finalise Risk Assessment stage:

Psittacine birds (household pets and aviary) - DAFF

It’s been primarily driven by the private industry; but I agree it’d be fantastic to see more exotics imported in the future.

 

[Babirusa]

It's possible that it will be in the final stage for a very very long time due the current H5N1 avian influenza situation globally

 

[Tiger91]

It's possible that it will be in the final stage for a very very long time due the current H5N1 avian influenza situation globally

Possibly, however H5N1 is more than likely already here, we just havent caught it yet. Migratory birds with this strain have been migrating to Australia for the last 3 years from populations hit hard by it. The likely hood is that it's already here.

Wildlife groups are on the look out for it and National parks are watching sentinel populations of native birds to see when it 'arives'.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you for this Information. If the zoo does not get the Okapis then hopefully the zoo involves the Bongo and the Pygmy Hippos.

Taronga intend to continue with Pygmy hippopotamus long term. Whether that will involve housing them in the Congo exhibit or building a new exhibit elsewhere is unclear at this stage. Personally I think Gung’s old exhibit would be the ideal space to build a series of interconnected Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits to manage breeding of the species.

It’s doubtful at this stage Eastern bongo will return to Taronga after Ekundu’s passing. I hope they do, but they’re better equipped to hold and breed them at Dubbo in the current state.

The only way I can see bongo happening is if a new larger exhibit was built at the expensive of the Pygmy hippopotamus facilities. Instead of building 3-4 new Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits on the site of Gung’s old exhibit (and breeding); they could build 1-2 Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits (and remain a non-breeding facility); and add one decent sized Eastern bongo exhibit to hold a bachelor bull.

 

[Trua]

Taronga intend to continue with Pygmy hippopotamus long term. Whether that will involve housing them in the Congo exhibit or building a new exhibit elsewhere is unclear at this stage. Personally I think Gung’s old exhibit would be the ideal space to build a series of interconnected Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits to manage breeding of the species.

It’s doubtful at this stage Eastern bongo will return to Taronga after Ekundu’s passing. I hope they do, but they’re better equipped to hold and breed them at Dubbo in the current state.

The only way I can see bongo happening is if a new larger exhibit was built at the expensive of the Pygmy hippopotamus facilities. Instead of building 3-4 new Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits on the site of Gung’s old exhibit (and breeding); they could build 1-2 Pygmy hippopotamus exhibits (and remain a non-breeding facility); and add one decent sized Eastern bongo exhibit to hold a bachelor bull.

Unless there are imports - there won't be any Bongo for Taronga to hold.... I'd like to see that space given to the Pygmy Hippos maybe with another pool at the far end of that exhibit.

Concerning Gung's habitat I personally don't see any major changes being made to it going forward. The train will still run until the new sky safari ride is complete which is still likely years away. There were talks of using this area as a 'third' sky safari stop although I'm not aware of how far into the plans this got.

 

[Zoofan15]

Unless there are imports - there won't be any Bongo for Taronga to hold.... I'd like to see that space given to the Pygmy Hippos maybe with another pool at the far end of that exhibit.

Concerning Gung's habitat I personally don't see any major changes being made to it going forward. The train will still run until the new sky safari ride is complete which is still likely years away. There were talks of using this area as a 'third' sky safari stop although I'm not aware of how far into the plans this got.

Dubbo have 2.1 bongo, so could spare a bull; though the older bull is only five years younger than Ekundu, who holds the regional record for the longest lived bongo:

1.0 Kulungu (26/11/2010) Ndugu x Binti
0.1 Maisha (00/00/2013) Imported 2016
1.0 Kamau (05/09/2018) Kulungu x Djembe

I much prefer your idea of building a third Pygmy hippopotamus exhibit on this site though. It makes sense with the other two exhibits in close proximity.