Taronga Zoo Recent history of Taronga and developments etc

[Zoofan15]

Article about the move from Moore Park to the current site:

The story of how to move a zoo

I found this article interesting - as much for the early photographs as the write up. The current site at Taronga opened in 1916 and some of the exhibits in 1916 (including the seal pool) would be considered impressive even by today’s standard:


Photo source: NSW State Archives: Government Printing Office, NRS4481 [7/16381] ST5910 (September 1916) - link above.

Equally impressive was the architecture - including the zoo’s magnificent facade; and the elephant temple, which both remain to this day. I particularly like the langur exhibit overlooking the temple. It was clearly great enrichment for the monkeys being able to observe the goings on in the adjacent exhibit.


Photo source: NSW State Archives: Government Printing Office, NRS 4481 [7/16381] ST5909 (September 1916) - link above.

 

[steveroberts]

Article about the move from Moore Park to the current site:...

Oh wow thats so awesome bruv, great find and photos! (-:

 

[Jambo]

Article about the move from Moore Park to the current site:

The story of how to move a zoo

I found this article interesting - as much for the early photographs as the write up. The current site at Taronga opened in 1916 and some of the exhibits in 1916 (including the seal pool) would be considered impressive even by today’s standard:

View attachment 593804
Photo source: NSW State Archives: Government Printing Office, NRS4481 [7/16381] ST5910 (September 1916) - link above.

Equally impressive was the architecture - including the zoo’s magnificent facade; and the elephant temple, which both remain to this day. I particularly like the langur exhibit overlooking the temple. It was clearly great enrichment for the monkeys being able to observe the goings on in the adjacent exhibit.

View attachment 593805
Photo source: NSW State Archives: Government Printing Office, NRS 4481 [7/16381] ST5909 (September 1916) - link above.

Fantastic find. Really interesting to see some of the enclosures from back then (over a century ago ).

That seal pool looks to be bigger than any of their current seal pools too!

 

[steveroberts]

Unfortunately Channel 9 and the former cinematographer email replied to say no longer have a copy of the 1994 doco 'Orangutans on Stage' about Taronga's Orangs' relocation to the 'Rainforest exhibit'. They suggested trying the national library in Canberra which would like to go down there and try do but also looks like might be a treasure trove of some interesting old archived stuff about long term Aus' zoos.

There was also that '97 doco about the arrival of the WL Gorilla family from the Netherlands. Can see why Melbourne Zoo thought Taronga reneging on the 'MZ focus on Gorillas, Taronga focus on Chimps' understanding was about the upcoming 2000s Olympics as have seen the Melbourne Gorilla habitat while built earlier than Taronga's is still over twice as big for its resident Gorillas (albeit poor Rigo having to live a life of isolation).

In the Taronga Godden Mackay Logan Conservation Strategy report from 2002 (https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-8008!20190228T003421.263 GMT) saw there was a mention of Ronal Stahan's vision while director in the late '70s was upon completing 'Chimpanzee Park' to construct two further moated exhibits of similar size for the Gorillas and Orangutans but this never eventuated.

Was also interesting too to see in the paragraphs focusing on construction projects in the early '90s there was mention of new exhibits for Fishing Cat, Komodo Dragon and Reticulated Python amongst the examples. What really jumped out that was news to me (also didnt know about the Reticulated Python exhibit) was it stated the Fishing Cat exhibit was in place of a former Jaguar exhibit which is actually where the Asiatic Lion exhibit was constructed and completed by August 1993; so was wondering if perhaps from 1991-April 1993 (date of opening 'Jungle Cats') the Fishing Cats at Taronga were kept in an exhibit in this area perhaps. The reference of the Komodo Dragon exhibit also implied an exhibit even before the one at the front of Serpentaria/Reptile World was completed in early 1995, which makes sense in that the exhibit close to the top entrance of the zoo (that first saw Tuka in 1994, and from 1995-1998 Dina) looked different to the brick fronted exhibit that Terry Boylan described Keith and the short-lived female Komodo were living in from his book Keeper and the Kept.

 

[Zoofan15]

Unfortunately Channel 9 and the former cinematographer email replied to say no longer have a copy of the 1994 doco 'Orangutans on Stage' about Taronga's Orangs' relocation to the 'Rainforest exhibit'. They suggested trying the national library in Canberra which would like to go down there and try do but also looks like might be a treasure trove of some interesting old archived stuff about long term Aus' zoos.

There was also that '97 doco about the arrival of the WL Gorilla family from the Netherlands. Can see why Melbourne Zoo thought Taronga reneging on the 'MZ focus on Gorillas, Taronga focus on Chimps' understanding was about the upcoming 2000s Olympics as have seen the Melbourne Gorilla habitat while built earlier than Taronga's is still over twice as big for its resident Gorillas (albeit poor Rigo having to live a life of isolation).

That’s a shame they no longer have a copy of that doco.

In researching the zoo’s chimpanzees, I’ve come across mentions of what no doubt would have been fascinating documentaries - including one of their move to the open air exhibit in 1980; and one from 1989 detailing the fatal injuries sustained by infants in the community - which were revealed to be caused by a seven year old male.

It’d be great if the zoo were to obtain rights to screening this content so that it could be archived and re-screened at a later date. I appreciate there’s a reluctance from zoos to tie themselves to the past (and the low standard of exhibits); but I see it as an evolution in husbandry and am sure the majority would acknowledge the steps zoos have taken in progressing the welfare of their inhabitants.

 

[Abbey]

That’s a shame they no longer have a copy of that doco.

In researching the zoo’s chimpanzees, I’ve come across mentions of what no doubt would have been fascinating documentaries - including one of their move to the open air exhibit in 1980; and one from 1989 detailing the fatal injuries sustained by infants in the community - which were revealed to be caused by a seven year old male.

It’d be great if the zoo were to obtain rights to screening this content so that it could be archived and re-screened at a later date. I appreciate there’s a reluctance from zoos to tie themselves to the past (and the low standard of exhibits); but I see it as an evolution in husbandry and am sure the majority would acknowledge the steps zoos have taken in progressing the welfare of their inhabitants.

Screening such content could also be valuable considering it's not that long ago that Taronga built a theatre in a prominent section of the zoo, which I feel is currently under-utilised. Of course, COVID has played a key role in that. At the National Film and Sound Achieve in Canberra, they have theatres which run a series of films from throughout Australia's history - with caveats added that not all of the attitudes, terms, etc included therein are reflective of modern times.

 

[Zoofan15]

Screening such content could also be valuable considering it's not that long ago that Taronga built a theatre in a prominent section of the zoo, which I feel is currently under-utilised. Of course, COVID has played a key role in that. At the National Film and Sound Achieve in Canberra, they have theatres which run a series of films from throughout Australia's history - with caveats added that not all of the attitudes, terms, etc included therein are reflective of modern times.

Yes, it would be great if Taronga Zoo screened them in their movie theatre. The general public wouldn’t be so interested, but there’s plenty of people who would be and would benefit from this being offered.

Historical screenings could be run on select days; or alternatively documentaries could be released on a digital database for annual pass holders etc.

 

[steveroberts]

 

[Zoofan15]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

It was nice to see the two female Indian elephants - Ranee and Burma. Burma had arrived at the zoo only eight months before this video was taken, so it was good timing.

Ranee died 15 years later in 1998 and had a memorial garden planted in her honour. She was a much loved resident, having arrived at the zoo as a seven year old in 1962.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 My pleasure bro, Ranee was beautiful do remember her from personal earlier years of visiting Taronga. Hey is it just me or does it seem like a Leopard Seal at the zoo in '83 in that footage?

Here's 1990 footage (have to be post May 18 1990 footage as Snow Leopard exhibit is open then) {there's family footage have to sift through in some parts}

Part 1 footage starts 4 min and 37 second in at what I believe was Keith/Tuka and Dina's old Komodo Dragon exhibit prior to 1995 Reptile House opening

Part 2 much more footage

Here's 1978 footage (Taronga footage finishes 1 minute and 35 seconds in)

Not recent but here's one just came across from 1961

& another from late 1960s (shows the Dolphins at the zoo at the end)

 

[Jambo]

Hey is it just me or does it seem like a Leopard Seal at the zoo in '83 in that footage?

Dosen't look to be one, I just saw Australian Sea Lions. Whereabouts in the footage did you spot one?

 

[steveroberts]

@Jambo 2:09-2:16 but probably another pinniped

 

[Jambo]

@Jambo 2:09-2:16 but probably another pinniped

I can see the resemblance so it could be one!

 

[steveroberts]

(photo Gettyimages link: Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island... News Photo - Getty Images).
Picture was taken 14 Nov 1988, the caption on reads ''Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island Exhibit, after he officially opened at Taronga Zoo.The New South Wales Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, today(Monday 14th Nov. 88.) officially opened the new Macquarie Island Exh''.

So received email reply from Taronga just now saying they did have 3 (1.2) Sth Elephant Seals arrive in Oct/Nov 1988 (though no indication of their ages but personally believe 1.0 was young, possibly all three were young, but 1.0 did not recall seeming to have the mature male iconic trunk-like snout). 0.2 they named Maude and Nella, 1.0 they named Macquarie. Maude sadly passed away 28 December 1992, Macquarie on 8 January 1995 and Nella on 21 December 1996.

 

[Zoofan15]

(photo Gettyimages link: Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island... News Photo - Getty Images).
Picture was taken 14 Nov 1988, the caption on reads ''Tim Moore feeds a Southern Elephant Seal in the new Macquarie Island Exhibit, after he officially opened at Taronga Zoo.The New South Wales Minister for the Environment, Tim Moore, today(Monday 14th Nov. 88.) officially opened the new Macquarie Island Exh''.

What a shame this species never thrived at Taronga. The individual in that photo looks quite young (the pinniped, not the human), so likely didn’t live long. There would be a lack of husbandry knowledge around this species due to its rarity in captivity (especially in Australasia); with their Leopard seals also uncommon.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 accidentally sent the last post before added second paragraph with dates that Taronga email reply shared just now (added to post above thanks to the editing time-window).Though of course Taronga did not share in the reply what each of the 1.2 Sth Elephant Seals passed away from (though I didn't press them for info on that thinking perhaps it might cause a no-reply at all reaction). But your interesting knowledge (albeit unfortunate that Pinnipeds have that reaction commonly under anesthesia) think really highlighted a strong possibility for the fate of Maude, Nella & Macquarie possibly.

 

[steveroberts]

Taronga's correspondent was kind, she unfortunately could not find any more detail on where the first Fishing Cats at the zoo were housed prior to the April 1993 completed 'Jungle Cats' enclosure: ''I am unable to provide details of where the first fishing cats were originally housed. The original enclosure name is ASH-01 but I do not have access to the information where it was located as most of our archive records is now stored offsite.''

@Hix was wondering if you recall them (Fishing Cats) being where the Jaguars were kept in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. If so the Fishing Cat(s) would of been there 1991 & 1992?

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 accidentally sent the last post before added second paragraph with dates that Taronga email reply shared just now (added to post above thanks to the editing time-window).Though of course Taronga did not share in the reply what each of the 1.2 Sth Elephant Seals passed away from (though I didn't press them for info on that thinking perhaps it might cause a no-reply at all reaction). But your interesting knowledge (albeit unfortunate that Pinnipeds have that reaction commonly under anesthesia) think really highlighted a strong possibility for the fate of Maude, Nella & Macquarie possibly.

Thanks for sharing the dates. I’d assume it was no accident they obtained 1.2 (two bulls would fight), so presumably they were at least adolescents to determine gender by observation prior to capture.

Reproductive maturity in this species is attained at around four to six years, so Maude may have passed away as the trio were reaching maturity; which straight away reduced their colony to 1.1 - with the male dying just over two years later.

 

[Zorro]

Thanks for sharing the dates. I’d assume it was no accident they obtained 1.2 (two bulls would fight), so presumably they were at least adolescents to determine gender by observation prior to capture.

Reproductive maturity in this species is attained at around four to six years, so Maude may have passed away as the trio were reaching maturity; which straight away reduced their colony to 1.1 - with the male dying just over two years later.

The former Marineland that use to be next door to Seaworld on the Gold Coast use to have 1.1 elephant Seals in the mid 70s, I believe SW brought them out and it closed down, no idea as to where the animals went

 

[steveroberts]

really like this photo from 8 Jan 1993 of Raya the Sun Bear with a wild Eastern Water Dragon in the foreground. It seems her full named may of been Raya Puteri, didn't know that. Glad she got to have impressive longevity at 32 years of age when she passed at Alma Park in 2011/2012? (having left Taronga for Alma Park in 1997). Know she arrived from Malaysia in 1992, this Gettyimages photo seems to imply it was the Christmas/January summer period of Dec '92-Jan '93 when Raya was first seen by the visiting public.

(from Sun Bear Emerges At Taronga Zoo -- As the sun is finally emerging... News Photo - Getty Images)

The summary is cut off but google picked up on some continuation of it (only to be cut short again): {8 January 1993}
''Sun Bear Emerges At Taronga Zoo -- As the sun is finally emerging this Sydney summer, so is a new resident at Taronga Zoo - a magnificent Malaysian Sun Bear!The Sun Bear is the smallest member of the bear family. It has a short black coat and a distinctive..(assume would of said distinctive golden chest coating along those lines)..Taronga's new sun bathing bear, 'Raya Puteri', can be seen lapping up the heat and feasting on all sorts of sweet tasting foods - bananas, ...(cuts off again)''