Perth Zoo Perth Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Pilbara complex opening 2028:

Construction begins 2027:

State Government partners with BHP to bring Pilbara to Perth Zoo

The project – funded courtesy of $10 million from BHP – marks another milestone in Perth Zoo’s 20-year Master Plan 2040 and is a flagship initiative under the government’s Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII).

The state-of-the-art facility will capture the Pilbara’s unique ecology, blending living flora and fauna into a unique experience.

The immersive habitat will provide opportunities for visitors get up close to free roaming wildlife, providing a unique tourism and educational opportunity for the State. The space will connect to the zoo’s existing Australian Bushwalk and behind-the-scenes Native Species Breed for Release Program facilities.

 

[JB Wild Design]

An exciting development, the concept art looks promising too

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

for me this feels a bit unnecessary I reckon this money should’ve gone towards a reptile house expansion and not another section of the zoo with the same animals as the reptile house and why does Roger cook want to educate us on a part of Australia he is digging up for mining…

also a bit of information for y’all

—> the remaining Perth zoo red pandas have been relocated to another zoo due to WAs hot weather

—> there are plans to move the binturong into the red panda exhibit

—> talk about bringing capybaras into the old tiger enclosure (I’m guessing the enclosure will be split into sections as it’s quite a big enclosure for a rodent) what else do you think could be added!
Hopefully the Asian rainforest is back up and booming with life soon️

 

[Zoofan15]

—> the remaining Perth zoo red pandas have been relocated to another zoo due to WAs hot weather

Following the death of Sombaar, Perth Zoo had just one red panda:

0.1 Maiya (Pabu x Amala) 20-11-2016 at Taronga Zoo

It sounds like a permanent phase out of this species from Perth Zoo. It’s a shame given their long association with red pandas, but this Himalayan species was a poor fit for a WA zoo from the outset.

 

[Jambo]

—> the remaining Perth zoo red pandas have been relocated to another zoo due to WAs hot weather

Following the death of Sombaar, Perth Zoo had just one red panda:

0.1 Maiya (Pabu x Amala) 20-11-2016 at Taronga Zoo

Maiya has transferred across to Adelaide Zoo on breeding recommendation.

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

Today the docent told me there were actually 3

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

And what do you guys think the Pilbara exhibit will consist of?

 

[Zoofan15]

Maiya has transferred across to Adelaide Zoo on breeding recommendation.

Today the docent told me there were actually 3

There used to be three Nepalese red pandas at Perth Zoo:

1.0 Sombaar (20/12/2012) - died
0.1 Maiya (20/11/2016) - sent to Adelaide
1.0 Sang (02/12/2019) - sent to Hamilton

Sang was sent to Hamilton Zoo in 2023; Sombaar died at Perth Zoo in 2025; and Maiya has now transferred to Adelaide Zoo. There’s been no reports of additional pandas coming in within that timeframe, so it would appear those are the three the volunteer was referring to.

 

[Johnpaul21]

for me this feels a bit unnecessary I reckon this money should’ve gone towards a reptile house expansion and not another section of the zoo with the same animals as the reptile house and why does Roger cook want to educate us on a part of Australia he is digging up for mining…

also a bit of information for y’all

—> the remaining Perth zoo red pandas have been relocated to another zoo due to WAs hot weather

—> there are plans to move the binturong into the red panda exhibit

—> talk about bringing capybaras into the old tiger enclosure (I’m guessing the enclosure will be split into sections as it’s quite a big enclosure for a rodent) what else do you think could be added!
Hopefully the Asian rainforest is back up and booming with life soon️

Hey don't wanna down play your info but.....

Capybaras have never been on the cards, ever so interesting that that has been brought up...
Secondly works began on deconstructing the tiger enclosure (built 1980's) as it has, broken pools, old enclosures not fit for modern species, not great viewing for capybarras since it has mainly always been a big cats enclosure so this is the first I'm hearing of it...

Also whilst they contribute great work to the zoo docents aren't the most reliable source of info

 

[Perth zoo blogs]

Sorry this is just what I was told on Saturday
I find that when talking to zoo docents some of them can be quite stubborn (not all of them) and always like to think there right sometime I feel like I’m teaching them

 

[Zoofan15]

Sorry this is just what I was told on Saturday
I find that when talking to zoo docents some of them can be quite stubborn (not all of them) and always like to think there right sometime I feel like I’m teaching them

Volunteers are primarily there in a visitor services capacity. The majority of questions they’ll receive from visitors will be around the location of toilets, restaurants, exhibits of interest and presentations that are on that day.

Zoo enthusiasts (for obvious reasons) ask more in depth questions and in many cases, volunteers won’t have the information to hand. My advice is to take any information they give you with a pinch of salt, especially if it doesn’t sound right or there’s a possibility they’ve filled in the blanks. They’re a good starting point, but most of what they share requires additional verification before it can be taken as fact.

 

[Johnpaul21]

Sorry this is just what I was told on Saturday
I find that when talking to zoo docents some of them can be quite stubborn (not all of them) and always like to think there right sometime I feel like I’m teaching them

For Perth Zoo there is one docent who is the all knowledgeable of the zoo, she has been there for 22 years as a docent I believe and previously used to work there, she only works on Sundays and a few other days but she is the docent to see for any questions I believe her name is Erin

 

[ramsayi]

For Perth Zoo there is one docent who is the all knowledgeable of the zoo, she has been there for 22 years as a docent I believe and previously used to work there, she only works on Sundays and a few other days but she is the docent to see for any questions I believe her name is Erin

Iv run into another but I can’t for the life of me remember her name , use to see her regularly on Tuesdays.

got to remember they are volunteers and they can only give the info they are told, and it’s easy to accidentally pass rumours on , it could also be something was planned the docents got told and then the plans changed and they didn’t tell the docents.

 

[Tiger91]

Maiya has transferred across to Adelaide Zoo on breeding recommendation.

I wonder if they will require cubs produced, that would be a nice touch.
But also binturong are a better replacement temp wise for the zoo. However they are kept at warmer climate zoos.

 

[steveroberts]

Hey don't wanna down play your info but.....

Capybaras have never been on the cards, ever so interesting that that has been brought up...
Secondly works began on deconstructing the tiger enclosure (built 1980's) as it has, broken pools, old enclosures not fit for modern species, not great viewing for capybarras since it has mainly always been a big cats enclosure so this is the first I'm hearing of it...

Also whilst they contribute great work to the zoo docents aren't the most reliable source of info

Yeah someone at the zoo replied saying: ''At this stage there are no firm plans to bring in capybara, but this could change in the future".

 

[Johnpaul21]

Hey, can we expect the new Pilbra exhibit to take place in the circled area below (once the walking trail from Koalas to Wombats) It's a free space and since the wombats left the exhibit they have closed off the path and just given the kangaroo's and wallabies extra space. Credit to @Zoofan15 for the map

 

[steveroberts]

Hey, can we expect the new Pilbra exhibit to take place in the circled area below (once the walking trail from Koalas to Wombats) It's a free space and since the wombats left the exhibit they have closed off the path and just given the kangaroo's and wallabies extra space. Credit to @Zoofan15 for the map
View attachment 844252

Or maybe The Homestead area perhaps (though would personally rather that they'd used that area for expanding the Asian Rainforest precinct in the near future). It's a real shame PZ doesn't keep wombats anymore imo.

 

[ramsayi]

the news report says
"The space will connect to the zoo's existing Australian Bushwalk and behind-the-scenes Native Species Breed for Release Program facilities."

the breed for release facilites i belive are up the top of the aussie bushwalk , on that map where the drink and toilet signs are up the top (b9 / b10 ).

 

[Johnpaul21]

the news report says
"The space will connect to the zoo's existing Australian Bushwalk and behind-the-scenes Native Species Breed for Release Program facilities."

the breed for release facilites i belive are up the top of the aussie bushwalk , on that map where the drink and toilet signs are up the top (b9 / b10 ).

Yes you are correct, they are just behind the drink fountains and Cockatoo's exhibit, it is also that area where the ruffed lemurs were previously housed off site..

 

[Johnpaul21]

Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park on Instagram: "Say hello to Maiya The newest Red Panda has arrived at Adelaide Zoo and is settling beautifully into her new home in Bamboo Forest. Maiya has travelled from Perth Zoo and is already showing off her calm, confident nature as she explores the sights, sounds and climbing spots in her purpose-built habitat. Keepers say she’s curious, gentle and loves checking out new things at her own pace. To help her settle in, our team is giving her plenty of choice, comfort and control, supporting her through a relaxed, welfare-focused introduction to her new surroundings. If you’re visiting, you might spot Maiya exploring her elevated walkways or relaxing in one of her cosy hideouts as she settles into life at Adelaide Zoo. : Keeper Tayla"

Maiya at Adelaide!