Melbourne had their island dating back to the 50's I believe. Potentially earlier. However I don't know when it was when the gibbons were moved onto the islands. At least by the mid 70's.
Taronga Zoo Recent history of Taronga and developments etc
- Thread starter hodgey
- Start date
-
- Tags
- taronga zoo
Glass fronted exhibits are largely preferred (often with a combination of glass and moat frontage).
About the only benefit of moats with regards to primates is that they increase the distance between the visitor and the animals. As we’ve seen recently with Adelaide’s baboons (and with countless gorillas worldwide), they can become stressed by having visitors up close to them. That’s not to say visitors can’t (and won’t) provoke them from across a moat (this happens frequently with Auckland’s baboons), but it’s less claustrophobic as a whole.
This Sydney Morning Herald page from November 1966 has a lengthy article about the the director of Zurich Zoo, Dr Heini Hediger's critical assessment of Taronga, which contributed to the end of the Hallstrom era of the zoo. Some interesting ideas for the zoo were mentioned in the article. The zoo board was looking to the future for how they could 'evolve' the zoo, and Dr Hediger was asked to come to Sydney to visit and assess the Taronga.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday November 1, 1966 - Swiss Zoologist Report On Taronga Park Zoo
let me know if the page doesnt load properly.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday November 1, 1966 - Swiss Zoologist Report On Taronga Park Zoo
let me know if the page doesnt load properly.
Last edited:
It loaded fine for me. Several points of interest here:
The orangutan who died in October 1966 after having the leg amputated would have been Jackie (DOB 28/10/1963). As mentioned on the previous page, it’s possible she was a Sumatran orangutan. The deaths of her two sisters within eight days of each other in June that same year suggests a link - either a communal illness or seasonal based (June being a cold month, perhaps pneumonia).
It was interesting to note the use of chains to contain the bull elephant. Although this was common in zoos worldwide at that time; it had previously been rejected as an alternative to euthanasia in containing Auckland Zoo’s bull elephant in 1936.
The lack of suitable housing for the Commonhippopotamus was noted, with the outcome being a transfer of three of the Common hippopotamus to Dubbo the following decade (rather than a new exhibit). The remaining hippos followed in 1992.
The Orangutan Rainforest (opened 1994) had reached the end of its lifespan as a great ape exhibit by the time the orangutans were transferred to Mogo, but is suitable for a smaller primate species like lemur.
The 2015 masterplan included orangutans, but it seems unlikely at this point they will return.
It’s no longer online and I don’t recall every seeing a map for it, but this is the write up:
Taronga Zoo, $114.8 million development program:
1. Sumatran Tiger Adventure
An Indonesian-themed exhibit where visitors can get close to the mysterious Sumatran Tigers, and learn why choosing sustainable palm oil products can help preserve their native habitat.
2. Australia
An up-close animal habitat experience including a walk-through exhibit where visitors can interact with and explore iconic and unknown Australian fauna.
3. Wildlife Hospital
State-of-the-art upgrades to the Taronga Wildlife Hospital and wildlife clinic to continue the excellence of zoo animal care and wildlife rehabilitation.
4. African Savannah
A multi-species habitat including a lion breeding facility, expanded savannah for giraffes, zebras and Fennec Foxes, and a specialised meerkat exhibit and encounter space.
5. Welcome to the Wild
A unique multi-media experience that will engage and inspire visitors for a shared future for wildlife and people.
6. Congo Forest
A lush forest exhibit for the growing gorilla family, adjoining Pygmy Hippo pools and a tree-filled landscape for the rare Bongo antelope.
7. Elephant Trail
A scenic path traversing the zoo where Elephants will walk.
8. Serpentarium
Upgraded specialist exhibits for an amazing array of Reptiles and Amphibians including critical breeding facilities to support zoo-based conservation programs.
9. New Orang-utan exhibit
Drawing from their native Indonesian habitat, this facility has a range of climbing structures complete with an overhead canopy playground for these fascinating primates
Interesting September 1977 about Taronga's elephants and some insights from their keeper and zoo's mammal curator Dave Cody (including his voyage escorting the African elephants from England to Western Plains Zoo via Taronga, they were not crated on voyage but chained to the deck. Also did not realise Dave Cody spoke to Taronga's Asian eles' in Hindi, explained why in article)
The Australian Women's Weekly - Putting the pachyderms in their place - 14 Sep 1977 - p43
The Australian Women's Weekly - Putting the pachyderms in their place - 14 Sep 1977 - p43
Great article!
Auckland Zoo’s keepers spoke to their elephants in a mixture of Sri Lankan and German for the same reason (to avoid the public shouting commands). It’s also the reason zoos often have media/house names for their elephants.
It’s admirable how Taronga often thought big when it came to holding populations of animals:
1.2 breeding Common hippopotamus
Large breeding herd of giraffe
Large breeding colony of chimpanzee
Large breeding colony of orangutan
Six gorillas imported in an attempt to breed
Large herd of Asian elephants in an attempt to breed
Undoubtably assisted by the finance backing of Sir Edward Hallstrom, it’s clear how they were able to establish themselves as a breeding hub and supplier to zoos region wide (as well as establishing their reputation as what arguably remains the region’s most prestigious zoo).
Last edited:
Oh it wasnt demolished (was five small exhibits side by side, two held leopards too until '87 then entirely tigers or some were empty at times I guess). The building stands today as Tassie devil building. It was renovated though in very very late 1992 and early early 1993 to become the Jungle Cast complex (well 60% of the building became the Jungle Cats exhibits complex - the other two eastmost enclosures remained off-display holding yards for tigers until August or September of 1993. I believe after that though those two eastermost exhibit became off-display holding and introduction yards for golden cats and fishing cats; would be used for the Tassie' devils now too, but as you're asking about tigers was used for them too. The eastermost of the five enclosures in that building/complex was where Meta & Nico lived).
*the building also got some minor internal renovation work in 1989 I believe to do with the mechanisms between the display yards and their dens following Victoria Scrivener's death in late '88.
@ Hix's photo January 2010 when renovating for the Tasmanian devils.
Former "Cats of Asia" enclosures - ZooChat
Where Hix wrote ''Cats of Asia'' he meant to write ''Jungle Cats'' though technically very much was home to cats of Asia, but ''Cat of Asia'' is what they initially called the Sep '93 opened complex on other side of the zoo 'Cats of Asia' from reusing the two 1930s pits + the clouded leopard exhibit too (the ones that are still in use as extra bts holding enclosures for the Sumatran tigers in ''Tiger Trek''. Think after the African lions moved (back conspecifically speaking) into the pit exhibits c1999 (were in one or the other of the two pit exhibits at different points) think they just started calling it the ''Big Cats'' complex - but digress, you were asking about the complex pictured by Hix above).
*the facade of the building/complex will be about 60 years old sometime this year or next, was one of last buildings built under Edward Hallstrom's tenure.
''Big Cats'' bas-relief rendered signage on the western wall facade of current Tassie Devil building complex, still there after 55+ years (one of last if not THE last Hallstrom era built structures)
@Jambo Lol sorry I responded to your one sentence question with a 320+ word 'essay'.
Last edited:
The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday March 7, 1989 - page 3
and on page 12 of same SMH edition (the paper received the comment the day before; dont think anyone reading this really needed me to state that lol).
* 'Bulubetsy' lol, Betsy, her name was Betsy.
and on page 12 of same SMH edition (the paper received the comment the day before; dont think anyone reading this really needed me to state that lol).
* 'Bulubetsy' lol, Betsy, her name was Betsy.
Last edited:
The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday March 7, 1989 - page 3
and on page 12 of same SMH edition (agree with the opinion expressed, albeit 36 years ago)
The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday March 7, 1989 - page 3
and on page 12 of same SMH edition (the paper received the comment the day before).
It was clearly a very uncertain time for Taronga Zoo financially. I’m glad they came through it, with the 1990’s being a golden cage for the zoo - with the opening of Snow Leopard Mountain in 1990; Orangutan Rainforest in 1994; and the Gorilla Rainforest in 1996; and the expansion of Dubbo’s tiger facilities to participate in the Sumatran tiger breeding programme - following the births of two litters at Taronga Zoo in 1994 and 1995.
That’s interesting to know Buluman and Betsy were housed separately from the Melbourne trio for most of the 1980’s; and that Buluman’s sterility was only diagnosed following his transfer to Melbourne (rather than the hope Betsy would breed with Rigo being one of the aims for the transfer). One of the aims for the transfer was reportedly to have all the gorillas on one site (to promote living as a natural troop); but this only seem to occur upon the opening of the Gorilla Rainforest in 1990.
Interesting to hear of plans to send their Orangutan colony to Singapore. I assume this was a result of their previous exhibits (the cage block) not being suitable for them anymore at the time due to standards regarding welfare evolving.The Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday March 7, 1989 - page 3
and on page 12 of same SMH edition (agree with the opinion expressed, albeit 36 years ago)
Obviously a lack of funding was the issue here; Taronga weren't sure whether they'd get enough money to provide 'updated' habitats for some of the animals within the zoo.
At the time, Taronga had the following orangutans (3.5);
0.1 Judy II (26/10/1957) Rufus x Helen
0.1 Wendy (20/03/1961) Rufus x Helen
1.0 Perang (01/02/1972) Roy x Leslie
0.1 Perak (26/03/1972) Rufus x Judy
1.0 Archie (06/05/1975) Roy x Wendy
0.1 Wanita (23/03/1979) Roy x Wendy
0.1 Willow (09/06/1985) Perang x Wendy
1.0 Jantan (11/07/1987) Perang x Judy
The following year, Perang passed and Perak was exported to the Hyderabad Zoo (notably on the same day) leaving Taronga with just six orangutans all of which would move to the new exhibit come 1994.
It was interesting to know Buluman/Betsy arrived all the way back in 1980. It proves that Melbourne may have initially hoped Buluman would impregnate Betsy and Yuska, but when this failed they ended up utilising Rigo for IVF resulting in the birth of Mzuri in 1984.
Mzuri's early years were spent mostly with keepers and his mother, however I've seen countless videos/articles of him in with Betsy during the late 80's. It seems this was seen as the best for his social development. Presumably Yuska was in with Buluman or Rigo during these times, with the other male by himself. The zoo did only have one outdoor enclosure effectively managing three separate groups!
It’s very interesting that Perang died on the same day Perak was exported to Hyderabad. Since the zoo had multiple females (not all of which were housed with Jantan at that time), I’m of the opinion that he wasn’t euthanised upon the departure of his exhibit mate on the basis of being unable to be housed with the others. More likely in my opinion is they underwent a medical examination prior to export and he died under anaesthetic. Either way, it’s too coincidental for there not to be a link between the deaths.
It’s interesting that Singapore would have wanted hybrid orangutans given the majority of their colony were purebreds (with Ah Meng’s hybrid offspring being an unplanned mating). They accepted purebred Bornean from Perth Zoo earlier that decade.
1980 was the year that Taronga Zoo’s Chimpanzee Park opens, which supports accounts an agreement was made for Taronga to focus on chimpanzees and orangutans; and Melbourne to focus on orangutans and gorillas, though I note Melbourne Zoo retained their chimpanzee until 1993.
With the opening of the Chimpanzee Park, infant mortality rate decreased and Taronga soon found itself with an abundance of females (following a string of female births). With exports and even sterilisation (of Shona) following, it’s no wonder they only accepted 2/3 of Melbourne’s female chimpanzees - with one shipping out later that decade to Japan.
I have wondered whether Taronga in fact refused Melbourne's group of chimps initially on the basis of not having enough space in the future as you mention, accounting for future births ect.
Melbourne had seven chimps at the time; two of which were males, which would've also been quite difficult to introduce to Taronga's troop, or place elsewhere. It seems Melbourne instead elected to retain their chimps with the intention of phasing them out down the line, but eventually sent some of their remaining to Taronga once their group numbers had decreased quite suddenly in the early 90's.
Apparently Dr Peter Crowcroft the director of zoo in mid to late '70s wanted to build an equal sized exhibit near Chimpanzee Park for the gorillas and also one for the orangutans, but never eventuated (maybe the NSW state government said ''too expensive!'') and Dr Crowcroft left the role and went back to working in North America (albeit he was Australian by origin, had worked at North American zoos before becoming director of Taronga).
I think I made a mistake in the past saying it was Ronald Strahan who wanted to do this (maybe he did too) but the era that Chimpanzee Park construction started was during Dr Crowcroft's tenure.