Taronga Zoo Taronga Taronga Taronga

[Simon Hampel]

Twice my daughter has come down from Brisbane and taken her kids to Taronga and on neither occasion were they able to see the gorillas. (She jokes that they don't really have any!) On one of those occasions they couldn't even get near the enclosure - it was barricaded off.

That sounds like just unfortunate timing really.

We visit Taronga at least 5 - 6 times each year and have never had trouble seeing the Gorillas. Not that this means terribly much I know.

 

[Ara]

Well ZooPro and Sim, you both make valid points; and as usual ZooPro you have given me food for thought.

There really is a conflict of interest between what visitors want and what is best for the animals at times, isn't there?

 

[ZooPro]

Well ZooPro and Sim, you both make valid points; and as usual ZooPro you have given me food for thought.

There really is a conflict of interest between what visitors want and what is best for the animals at times, isn't there?

Indeed. Thankfully though, more and more zoos are slowly educating their visitors about the fact that animal welfare often comes before visitors' needs. Melbourne Zoo, for example (contrary to your earlier post) have no problems whatsover letting their visitors know that sometimes, they might nit be able to see the gorillas. If they are being introduced to new animals, and that's happening inside the dens, then sorry visitors, it's bad luck that you won't get to see the gorillas that day.

Likewise, with the vegetation in the gorilla exhibit at Melbourne Zoo, and the various hiding places, visitors might walk around the exhibit and not see any gorillas, even if they are on display. The animals have an opportunity to "escape" from the visitors, and do their own thing, and aren't forced to be sitting out in the open as it were.

When more visitors realise that animal welfare is a primary role of good zoos, they might understand just why they aren't always going to see every animal in every exhibit. Some animals just don't enjoy sitting around, unable to hide and feel secure. And besides, the visitors can always pop back a couple of times during their visit and see if the animals are around.

 

[Simon Hampel]

When more visitors realise that animal welfare is a primary role of good zoos, they might understand just why they aren't always going to see every animal in every exhibit. Some animals just don't enjoy sitting around, unable to hide and feel secure. And besides, the visitors can always pop back a couple of times during their visit and see if the animals are around.

Also there are usually published feeding times or keeper talks, which are good opportunities to see animals which may have not been visible at other times.

I know this is not always ideal as there is usually a huge crowd of people to deal with (which is why I usually avoid these events), but if the animals aren't visible at other times, it can provide the opportunity for viewing them.

 

[Coquinguy]

maybe the reason why taronga barricades off its exhibit when it has babies n melbourne doesnt seem to is because most of melbournes arent parent-raised. which says to me maybe they could look to taronga and learn about creating group stability

 

[thorney_devil]

The newly updated zoo guide said: the females were sent to perth zoo and new females were being brought together from adelaide & mogo zoo in hope of future babies...

It also said Taronga had only two Orangutans Willow & Jantan what happened to the other female? Also Leon the adult male Snow Leopard was sent to Melbourne Zoo in hopes of future cubs. Asquitta the female Sumatran Tiger has gone to Adelaide or Perth for future breeding the very lonely male was on exhibit... It may be old news sorry?

 

[zooman]

maybe the reason why taronga barricades off its exhibit when it has babies n melbourne doesnt seem to is because most of melbournes arent parent-raised. which says to me maybe they could look to taronga and learn about creating group stability

AS Zoopro rightly point out.

Likewise, with the vegetation in the gorilla exhibit at Melbourne Zoo, and the various hiding places, visitors might walk around the exhibit and not see any gorillas, even if they are on display. The animals have an opportunity to "escape" from the visitors, and do their own thing, and aren't forced to be sitting out in the open as it were.

The design of Tarongas exhibit although the off exhibit/night quarters are comendable. The actual outdoor exhibit leaves no room for "escape" from the crowds. I understood that the enclosure was to be enlarged obviously this was put off for some reason???

The comparison of the two groups is impossible given that Sydney was given there group on a "silver platter". Compared to what Melbourne has had to work with. I would have thought melbourne had more experiance creating group stability for this reason alone.

 

[Pertinax]

Compared to what Melbourne has had to work with. I would have thought melbourne had more experiance creating group stability for this reason alone.

You are absolutely correct. Taronga received a fully cohesive social group from Apenheul and have never had to do anything with them except put the females on contraceptives if they don't want too many babies. Melbourne built their group using adult individuals from different backgrounds and its perhaps not surprising these females haven't so far reared their babies.

As far as having Gorillas 'offshow' for whatever reason, I think any zoo should announce(written sign or whatever) at the entrance if NO Gorillas(or any other high profile species) can be seen on a particular day- that gives anybody who wants particularly to see that species the choice to come back and spend their entrance fee on another day, and also avoid disappointment once in the zoo. That's not the same as having an exhibit where the animals are there but may be hiding- then its up to the visitor's patience if they see the animals or not.