Taronga Zoo Taronga news 2012

[Chlidonias]

eyelash vipers bred at the zoo, a very cute photo on the link. The article doesn't say if the zoo has bred them before, but I assume someone on here will know.
Blink and you'll miss Taronga Zoo's new eyelash vipers | thetelegraph.com.au

He might be perched on a pencil, but this little cutie packs one heck of a punch.

Despite its diminutive size, the golden eyelash viper has long fangs and is one of the most poisonous species found in Central America.

The snake is one of four eyelash vipers born this month at Taronga Zoo, with reptile supervisor Michael McFadden saying it was already one of the zoo's most striking creatures.

"They actually come in a range of colours, from golden like this one to grey to green and everything in between," Mr McFadden said.

The snake is named for the bristly scales above its eyes, which resemble eyelashes.

The four newborns will spend the next few years out of sight.

"He's a bit too small for public display. I doubt you would be able to even see him," Mr McFadden added.

 

[Jabiru96]

Great news. The adults are always hard to see on exhibit and most people just walk passed thinking that there are none, but it is fun trying to spot them hiding.

 

[Hix]

The article doesn't say if the zoo has bred them before, but I assume someone on here will know.

I believe this is the first time.



Hix

 

[Jabiru96]

The Himalayan thar will be moving around (not sure if they mean to different locations around the zoo or to other zoos) for one reason or another (maybe maintenance?).

 

[Jabiru96]

Five red tailed black cockatoos flew off after two white bellied sea eagles flew into the flock during the bird show. Luckily all have been recovered.

 

[Lyrebird]

Have the Orang-utans moved back into their exhibit yet?

 

[Nisha]

Forgot to mention, a new TV program titled 'WildLife at the Zoo' started last Wednesday (and is broadcasted every Wednesday) on ABC1.

Wild Life At the Zoo | Taronga Conservation Society Australia

The first episode featured part of the chimp move to the renovated exhibit, and so will next week. Interestingly, the zoo had a Code One (the most serious code) when the late Chimbuka awoke while on the medical table while being checked up on!

Wildlife at the Zoo will be shown in the UK on Animal Planet from this Sunday. 7pm GMT

 

[Jarkari]

Its a great show. everything is shown. I believe its the most open any zoo has been. for example they talk about the still born Sumatran tiger cub, something most zoos would keep from the public.

 

[Jabiru96]

I wish they do have future seasons and more like the format of the Auckland show.

 

[zooboy28]

Taronga have updated the map on their website (http://www.taronga.org.au/sites/default/files/tarongazoomap_july2012.pdf), and this shows that the centre of the zoo has been completely closed off, basically the area from the orangs to the floral clock, although the only animals that are off-display as a result are the cassowaries and ring-tailed lemurs. This is to allow for the construction of 'Lemur Forest Adventure', due to open in 2013.

 

[Hix]

Looks like a large area devoted to a commonly held species.

:|

Hix

 

[Jabiru96]

Looks like a large area devoted to a commonly held species.

:|

Hix

I heard that they may try to include the Aldabran tortoises and some bird species with the lemurs in a closed roof exhibit.

 

[zoomaniac]

@Hix: Devoted or wasted?

BTW: If I have followed the debates about Australian import regulations correctly, it is possible to introduce primates (incl. lemurs), isn't it?
If there is so much space in the new exhibit at Sydney, what about to import (new or more) lemurs for that exhibit (e.g. gentle lemurs)?

A really good new zoo map. I wish some European and North American zoos would follow that example instead of using kindergarten-style animal icons...

 

[Jabiru96]

Also, the lemur exhibit will only be as far as I know the old seal pools and nothing else, incorporating the existing structure.

 

[zooboy28]

Yea, I doubt they will be using the whole area. Would be good to see other species incorporated into a little Madagascan exhibit as well, maybe Taronga could acquire some Radiated Tortoises too?

I wouldn't think such an exhibit is a waste of space, although the addition of another lemur species would be better. The only possibility in the near future would be Black & White Ruffed Lemurs, as these are the only other managed lemur.

Does anyone know what type of enclosure will be built? Will it be islands in the seal pools, or an aviary style enclosure, or a walkthrough, or something else entirely?

 

[zooboy28]

A really good new zoo map. I wish some European and North American zoos would follow that example instead of using kindergarten-style animal icons...

Its not a new style of map, just an updated version. But it is a brilliant design, the interactive map here: Plan your visit to Taronga Zoo | Taronga Conservation Society Australia is great fun to play with when theres not much else happening.

 

[Jarkari]

Does anyone know what type of enclosure will be built? Will it be islands in the seal pools, or an aviary style enclosure, or a walkthrough, or something else entirely?

Yes. It will be a very popular exhibit i imagine. on a related note WPZ now has three ring tailed lemur islands and a brand new ringtailed lemur breeding complex has welcomed its first three residents, three italian boys.

 

[Jabiru96]

Yea, I doubt they will be using the whole area. Would be good to see other species incorporated into a little Madagascan exhibit as well, maybe Taronga could acquire some Radiated Tortoises too?

I wouldn't think such an exhibit is a waste of space, although the addition of another lemur species would be better. The only possibility in the near future would be Black & White Ruffed Lemurs, as these are the only other managed lemur.

Does anyone know what type of enclosure will be built? Will it be islands in the seal pools, or an aviary style enclosure, or a walkthrough, or something else entirely?

The enclosure will be netted over I think with it being split into two sections. One section will try to replicate a forest-type environment (trying to show the lemur's natural habitat) while the other section will be what the same forest looks like but with human intrusion (logging, pollution, etc) and a picnic area at the end. This is as far as I know.

 

[zooboy28]

The enclosure will be netted over I think with it being split into two sections. One section will try to replicate a forest-type environment (trying to show the lemur's natural habitat) while the other section will be what the same forest looks like but with human intrusion (logging, pollution, etc) and a picnic area at the end. This is as far as I know.

That sounds quite good, clever concept.

 

[Jabiru96]

That sounds quite good, clever concept.

Taronga has done this style with the Tasmanian devil exhibit.