Osedax
Well-Known Member
Ah, yes, I remember that episode too. I completely forgot about Perth.
Taronga Zoo New Taronga Zoo TV Series
- Thread starter Zoofan15
- Start date
I’m not surprised given how far in advance these programmes are often filmed. Parts of Auckland Zoo’s series was filmed nine months in advance. I remember visiting once as a child with ambitions to see a Serval kitten, only to find it was nearly full grown.
I hope once Sydney Zoo (or another facility) are able to receive Taronga’s bachelor male squirrel monkeys, they’ll looking at acquiring gibbons again. I know many people have fond memories of Mary the Muellers gibbon and the white-cheeked gibbons were no less charismatic.
That's cool, I hadn't noticed that. I'll pay closer attention when I go back and watch the episode again. Based on the keepers' comments, Jimiyu's procedure took place in February 2023 (shortly after his birthday), but it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of the B-roll footage had been shot even earlier than that.
The timeline of these shows is often all over the place, unless the storylines are specifically linking into each other (ie in Season 3, the lion cubs being born in the first episode and then sexed and named in episode 4). The synopsis for next week, for instance, indicates it focuses on the birth of Lwazi and Marion's first litter - they've had time for a whole extra litter in that time.
B-roll! I love it. I imagine the series is structured around sequential events, with high profile storylines evenly distributed and then non time sensitive filler material and the requisite conservation work storylines added in to pad it out to a full series.
Season 4, Episode 2 - Lwazi's New Family
Male lion Lwazi leaves his brother, Ato, and his new partner, Maya, at Taronga Zoo. He quickly settles into his new home at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and two females, Marion and Evelyn, are imported from San Diego to be his breeding partners. These lionesses are genetically valuable as new founders to the Australasian regional population. On their second breeding cycle together, keepers observe physical signs to indicate that Lwazi has successfully impregnated Marion. It’s clear that she is his favourite female, rather than Evelyn. When Marion goes into labour, she takes a while to deliver the first cub, followed by a second shortly after. An extended period passes, which makes keepers concerned, so the difficult decision is made to give her an anaesthetic. They conduct an X-ray and determine that there are still two cubs yet to be born. These cubs were delivered by Caesarean section and, sadly, one of the cubs was stillborn. Fortunately, the other cub, a female, is doing well after being given oxygen. As Marion is likely to taken a number of hours to recover from the procedure, the keepers give the cubs an opportunity to suckle for the first time while their mother is still under anaesthetic. Eventually, they are reunited in the cubbing den. Thankfully, Marion reacts well to her litter of three female cubs and does not harm them like keepers feared she might have, as a first-time mum who went through a difficult birth. It’s not long before the cubs are able to venture outside and meet their father, Lwazi, in the outdoor enclosure. A year later, the cubs have grown and there are plans to breed another litter from Lwazi and Marion, which were born in October 2023.
Fiordland Crested Penguin Ed has arrived at Taronga Zoo after his partner, Kim, passed away at Melbourne Zoo. He has a criss-cross beak due to an injury sustained while he was out in the wild - this was showcased on Mega Zoo when Ed was featured on that show while he was still at Melbourne Zoo. The first female which Ed shows an interest in, unfortunately, is incapable of producing eggs, so keepers steer him towards another female, Dusky, to be his breeding partner. Unfortunately, none of the eggs were fertile during the first breeding season, but keepers are optimistic considering that mating was observed. It’s good to know that Taronga are persevering with breeding this species.
Young male gorilla Mjukuu at Taronga Zoo is due for his first-ever vet checkup. Keeper Nat prepares to hand-inject him to commence the procedure. Known as MJ to keepers, the day arrives for the young gorilla’s health check and vaccinations. It’s mentioned that he is six years old, so this is a rather old story, from 2020 or 2021. Thankfully, Mjukuu was able to receive his vaccinations and return from the vet hospital with a clean bill of health.
Feisty Tasmanian devil female Bronte is struggling to integrate with her group at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, so the decision is made to transfer her to Sydney. However, for the move to take place, keepers first have to catch her. Bronte isn’t particularly fussed by the concept, but is eventually moved to Sydney. Bronte was born at TWPZ in 2020, and it is indicated that this part of the episode was filmed this year, shortly before her third birthday. When she arrives at Taronga, she needs to get to know her new keepers, who learn that Bronte is a much more docile devil than they were anticipating. Down the track, it is possible she may be introduced to a male for breeding.
Fiordland Crested Penguin Ed has arrived at Taronga Zoo after his partner, Kim, passed away at Melbourne Zoo. He has a criss-cross beak due to an injury sustained while he was out in the wild - this was showcased on Mega Zoo when Ed was featured on that show while he was still at Melbourne Zoo. The first female which Ed shows an interest in, unfortunately, is incapable of producing eggs, so keepers steer him towards another female, Dusky, to be his breeding partner. Unfortunately, none of the eggs were fertile during the first breeding season, but keepers are optimistic considering that mating was observed. It’s good to know that Taronga are persevering with breeding this species.
Young male gorilla Mjukuu at Taronga Zoo is due for his first-ever vet checkup. Keeper Nat prepares to hand-inject him to commence the procedure. Known as MJ to keepers, the day arrives for the young gorilla’s health check and vaccinations. It’s mentioned that he is six years old, so this is a rather old story, from 2020 or 2021. Thankfully, Mjukuu was able to receive his vaccinations and return from the vet hospital with a clean bill of health.
Feisty Tasmanian devil female Bronte is struggling to integrate with her group at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, so the decision is made to transfer her to Sydney. However, for the move to take place, keepers first have to catch her. Bronte isn’t particularly fussed by the concept, but is eventually moved to Sydney. Bronte was born at TWPZ in 2020, and it is indicated that this part of the episode was filmed this year, shortly before her third birthday. When she arrives at Taronga, she needs to get to know her new keepers, who learn that Bronte is a much more docile devil than they were anticipating. Down the track, it is possible she may be introduced to a male for breeding.
I’m glad the birth of the lion cubs ultimately had a successful outcome, with three of the cubs surviving. The caesarean clearly had no lasting affect on Marion, with her carrying a second litter to term this year. It’ll be nice to see a larger pride better utilising their fantastic exhibit.
To be perfectly honest, I'd forgotten about Marion's C-section until watching the episode. I remember us discussing at the time as to whether her future litters would be smaller, so as you've mentioned, that's good to see that hasn't been the case. I'm hopeful (although a little doubtful) that the integrated pride might be on display by my planned visit in mid-January.
It'll be interesting if they elect to breed from Lwazi and Marion again.
I don't think they will considering Lwazi's genetic value and the fact that they now have five daughters!
If Dubbo wanted to establish an inter-generational pride a la Monarto, then it would be ideal to separate Lwazi and his son from the most recent litter in late 2025, and introduce a new male to Marion and the five daughters... cue MEGAPRIDE!! I don't know if this is what is on the cards. I'd presume that Marion's daughters would be favoured for breeding as she is a founder, although the same hasn't necessarily been true for Maya's offspring.
There would certainly be room to accomodate that in an exhibit Dubbo’s size. The representation of Lwazi would limit the breeding recommendations applied to his daughters, but that in turn supports retaining them. Not every lioness in a large pride will breed, so several could stay on as non-breeding lionesses.
Certainly the space to do so. From the looks of things from the episode, they have an array of off display holding facilities for their lions so could easily accommodate Lwazi and his son separate as well if another facility can't be found for them.
From what the keepers also implied throughout the show, there are plans to utilise Marion's daughters for breeding too. Whether this is at another facility or at Dubbo, there's obviously the goal to breed from them as Marion's a very valuable female (especially if Evelyn doesn't breed).
Season 4, Episode 3 - King Halla
Taronga’s lone female Fennec fox, Zalika, is on the shy side as far as zoo animals go. She retrieves a mate from Japan, Karareu (there seems to be a few spellings of his name going around). He forms a bond with vet nurse Annii during his time in quarantine and receives vaccinations from senior vet Larry. Eventually, the time comes for Kureeru to be moved down to the fennec fox exhibit and meet Zalika. He proves to also be a shy animal who takes a while to come out of his shell. Having been housed indoors at his previous zoo in Japan, Kureeru is also adapting to the elements, including rain. Kureeru and Zalika are first introduced through the mesh between their dens. Signs are promising, so finally they are allowed into the same space. Kureeru remains on his platform, while Zalika is enthusiastic and keen to say hello. The foxes continue to bond and are able to go out on exhibit together.
Taronga has been caring for 130 Loggerhead Turtle eggs retrieved from a beach on the Central Coast of New South Wales. They were laid much further south than usual, so the decision was made to hatch them at the zoo. Reptile keepers and vets monitor the new baby turtles as they emerge from their eggs. Eventually, it is time for 97 of the hatchlings to be returned to the wild, along with sand from their natural habitat on Darkinjung Country. Turtle keeper Adam embarks on the journey, while a further 30 hatchlings remain at Taronga to grow further before their release. As dusk nears, a large crowd gathers on the beach. Staff from Taronga and National Parks and Wildlife release the turtle hatchlings onto the shore, allowing them to head towards the ocean. Adam is pleased for the opportunity to make a difference for an endangered species. About 30 or so of the turtles wash back up to the beach, so they are taken out to sea for an ocean release.
Back at Taronga, a large female Green sea turtle arrives at the wildlife hospital, having been found floating near Lake Macquarie. Lethargic and with fishing line in her mouth, vets fear she has swallowed a fish hook. However, it turns out that she is experiencing an intestinal blockage which is likely the reason she had been floating. As she recuperates in a tank at the wildlife hospital, the turtle seems unable to rest on the bottom, as would normally be the case if she was in a healthy state. This would also put her at risk of boat-strike were she to be released back into the wild. Thankfully, though, the turtle passes the fishing line which relieves the blockage.
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Halla is one of only 40 King Cheetahs in the world. As she ages, keepers need to pay particular attention to her welfare. A special chute has been designed for Halla to enter so that keepers and vets can conduct an aged animal assessment to assess her health. She has been trained for hand injection, so she is successfully given a sedative by a trusted keeper. Vets ensure that Halla is asleep, then they take her to the vet hospital to examine her arthritic body. X-rays are conducted, which confirm that she is still in relatively good health. Halla is returned to her exhibit to wake up and recover from the procedure.
Taronga has been caring for 130 Loggerhead Turtle eggs retrieved from a beach on the Central Coast of New South Wales. They were laid much further south than usual, so the decision was made to hatch them at the zoo. Reptile keepers and vets monitor the new baby turtles as they emerge from their eggs. Eventually, it is time for 97 of the hatchlings to be returned to the wild, along with sand from their natural habitat on Darkinjung Country. Turtle keeper Adam embarks on the journey, while a further 30 hatchlings remain at Taronga to grow further before their release. As dusk nears, a large crowd gathers on the beach. Staff from Taronga and National Parks and Wildlife release the turtle hatchlings onto the shore, allowing them to head towards the ocean. Adam is pleased for the opportunity to make a difference for an endangered species. About 30 or so of the turtles wash back up to the beach, so they are taken out to sea for an ocean release.
Back at Taronga, a large female Green sea turtle arrives at the wildlife hospital, having been found floating near Lake Macquarie. Lethargic and with fishing line in her mouth, vets fear she has swallowed a fish hook. However, it turns out that she is experiencing an intestinal blockage which is likely the reason she had been floating. As she recuperates in a tank at the wildlife hospital, the turtle seems unable to rest on the bottom, as would normally be the case if she was in a healthy state. This would also put her at risk of boat-strike were she to be released back into the wild. Thankfully, though, the turtle passes the fishing line which relieves the blockage.
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Halla is one of only 40 King Cheetahs in the world. As she ages, keepers need to pay particular attention to her welfare. A special chute has been designed for Halla to enter so that keepers and vets can conduct an aged animal assessment to assess her health. She has been trained for hand injection, so she is successfully given a sedative by a trusted keeper. Vets ensure that Halla is asleep, then they take her to the vet hospital to examine her arthritic body. X-rays are conducted, which confirm that she is still in relatively good health. Halla is returned to her exhibit to wake up and recover from the procedure.
It’s always interesting seeing the variance between individuals of a species in their reactions to a new exhibit.
City zoos who receive giraffes from open range zoos usually report them to be more aloof than their city raised counterparts; while felids that have come from a zoo where they’re used to the public being up close make great display animals. Auckland Zoo’s new tigress is especially confident compared to other tigers I’ve seen in the region.
Is the narrator really still Naomi Watts? We assumed it was someone new, she’s finally stopped reading the script like a eulogy. Way more fun to watch now!
It is someone new for Season 4 - the new narrator is Virginia Gay. She's an Australian TV and theatre actress - she was nurse Gabrielle in All Saints and Frances in Winners and Losers back in the 2000s and 2010s.
PS Love your profile pic!
Oh! Well she’s doing a much better job I think!
Thanks! It’s one of Taronga’s boys being gorgeous as usual
I think that may be Pemanah!Oh! Well she’s doing a much better job I think!
Thanks! It’s one of Taronga’s boys being gorgeous as usual
Season 4, Episode 4 - Monkey Business
This week’s key storyline focuses around Vampeer, Taronga Zoo’s lone adult male squirrel monkey. Back in Season 2, he’d arrived at the zoo along with another male, Vivo, who is now at Sydney Zoo. Vampeer has been a successful breeding male throughout recent seasons which have produced a significant number of infants - 21 in total over three years. The females, however, have caused injuries to the male, so he is partially separated into a bachelor pad for his own peace and quiet, and to seek to replicate natural squirrel monkey behaviour. The female squirrel monkeys, however, are not impressed by this and are frequently trying to partake in Vampeer’s food through the barrier and express dominance over him.
One of the Takhis at Dubbo receives a routine hoof procedure; however, it does not go smoothly. Vets are concerned as they will be using a potent opioid-based anaesthetic, which will then be reversed via intravenous medication, which is prepared in advance. This is to ensure that the vets are prepared in case the procedure needs to be ended in a hurry. Vets must be very careful when they are preparing the dart to anaesthetise the Takhi, wearing gloves and a face shield. Altani is identified by her keeper, so that vet, Alisa, can fire the dart to sedate her. A combination of wet weather and a soft ground is believed to have caused the takhi’s hooves to have grown faster than usual. When the procedure begins, it becomes clear that the vets’ goals of only keeping Altani under anaesthetic for an hour may not be possible to carry out the hoofcare they are intending. As an aside, I looked up the population list research thread to try and confirm the spelling of the tahki’s name, although didn’t seem to be able to. I wrote most of this recap on first viewing and haven’t been able to work out the age of the horse, so it’s probable that she’s one of the mares identified as being at Dubbo, but without a name being publicly available as of yet. If anyone else noticed a reference to her age, that might be a valuable piece of information for putting a population list together. X-rays are taken on Altani’s hooves and vets confirm she is experiencing a bacterial infection. However, the takhi starts holding her breath, which is dangerous under the anaesthetic, so it is imperative that she can be woken up quickly for her own wellbeing, even though she still require further care.
There’s also a new arrival at Taronga - six of them, in fact, in preparation for the planned opening of the Nura Diya Australia precinct in just a few weeks. The Kangaroo Island Kangaroos have travelled fourteen hours from South Australia. This contradicts what I’d previously posted on the forum, that the KI roos came from Featherdale. I’d heard that from a volunteer, but it does seem like this particular group of six females - two adults and four juveniles - did come from somewhere in South Australia, although the facility is unspecified. It’s possible that Taronga holds other animals of the same species which did come from Featherdale. While the first five kangaroos quickly bound out of their crates and into the quarantine yard, one of the adults refuses to budge. Vets and keepers gently tip her crate to encourage her and she is able to successfully join the rest of the kangaroos.
Taronga Zoo vets are called out to check up on a stranded and injured seal. Due to the serious injury to her back, they believe that she might have been hit by a boat. As the seal has come onto land to rest in a national park near naval vessels, Taronga staff are eventually granted permission to examine her. The seal returns to the wild, as does Skip, a rescue seal who is then remotely tracked all the way to the waters off Tasmania.
Only a few thousand Northern Corroboree Frogs remain in the wild in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Keepers from Taronga are planning to release more frogs into the Brindabella National Park. I was surprised by just how long these endangered frogs live for - an eighteen-year-old had still been breeding up until a year prior.
One of the Takhis at Dubbo receives a routine hoof procedure; however, it does not go smoothly. Vets are concerned as they will be using a potent opioid-based anaesthetic, which will then be reversed via intravenous medication, which is prepared in advance. This is to ensure that the vets are prepared in case the procedure needs to be ended in a hurry. Vets must be very careful when they are preparing the dart to anaesthetise the Takhi, wearing gloves and a face shield. Altani is identified by her keeper, so that vet, Alisa, can fire the dart to sedate her. A combination of wet weather and a soft ground is believed to have caused the takhi’s hooves to have grown faster than usual. When the procedure begins, it becomes clear that the vets’ goals of only keeping Altani under anaesthetic for an hour may not be possible to carry out the hoofcare they are intending. As an aside, I looked up the population list research thread to try and confirm the spelling of the tahki’s name, although didn’t seem to be able to. I wrote most of this recap on first viewing and haven’t been able to work out the age of the horse, so it’s probable that she’s one of the mares identified as being at Dubbo, but without a name being publicly available as of yet. If anyone else noticed a reference to her age, that might be a valuable piece of information for putting a population list together. X-rays are taken on Altani’s hooves and vets confirm she is experiencing a bacterial infection. However, the takhi starts holding her breath, which is dangerous under the anaesthetic, so it is imperative that she can be woken up quickly for her own wellbeing, even though she still require further care.
There’s also a new arrival at Taronga - six of them, in fact, in preparation for the planned opening of the Nura Diya Australia precinct in just a few weeks. The Kangaroo Island Kangaroos have travelled fourteen hours from South Australia. This contradicts what I’d previously posted on the forum, that the KI roos came from Featherdale. I’d heard that from a volunteer, but it does seem like this particular group of six females - two adults and four juveniles - did come from somewhere in South Australia, although the facility is unspecified. It’s possible that Taronga holds other animals of the same species which did come from Featherdale. While the first five kangaroos quickly bound out of their crates and into the quarantine yard, one of the adults refuses to budge. Vets and keepers gently tip her crate to encourage her and she is able to successfully join the rest of the kangaroos.
Taronga Zoo vets are called out to check up on a stranded and injured seal. Due to the serious injury to her back, they believe that she might have been hit by a boat. As the seal has come onto land to rest in a national park near naval vessels, Taronga staff are eventually granted permission to examine her. The seal returns to the wild, as does Skip, a rescue seal who is then remotely tracked all the way to the waters off Tasmania.
Only a few thousand Northern Corroboree Frogs remain in the wild in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Keepers from Taronga are planning to release more frogs into the Brindabella National Park. I was surprised by just how long these endangered frogs live for - an eighteen-year-old had still been breeding up until a year prior.
Oh, good spotting! I checked against the photo of him getting a vet check and you’re right, it’s Pemanah. He has the little thin stripe under his right eyebrow. Great to know his name. He takes after his mum with those good looks.
Back on topic, the last episode was super interesting to see the cat flap bachelor pad. What a great idea!
Yes, he has a very distinct look - especially with those markings above his eyes. He certainly does look more like his mother than his father, who has plant like markings above his eyes.
Pemanah has a very nice ruff too. He's grown up a lot!