Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo history

[Riley]

With Taronga Western Plains Zoo just celebrating their 40th anniversary, it made me wonder, does anyone happen to have the original species list from when the zoo opened? And how many of each species were held?

Any other information regarding the zoo when it first opened or its history would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zoofan15]

A gentleman in this thread was asking similar questions about the original species and the history but never received any answers:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Western Plains Zoo

Here's some basic info, hopefully others will add to it:

Sumatran tigers:

The first Sumatran tigers held at Taronga Western Plains Zoo were the male cubs in Shiva and Selatan's second litter (born October 1995), they arrived late 90s before being dispersed to other zoos.

Among the first arrivals were 1.3 African elephants:

ALL ABOARD THE ELEPHANT EXPRESS! - The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982) - 11 Jan 1978

From Taronga's history page:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo was the first open range zoo in Australia. Its animal collection has grown from 35 animals in 1977, when the Zoo first opened, to more than 1,000 animals from five different continents today.

From Wikipeda:

In the late 1960s, plans to develop a large plains zoo to complement Sydney’s Taronga Zoo were established. The new zoo would provide breeding facilities particularly suited to the large plains dwelling animals and to fulfil a need for an open range facility for the display of mainly grazing animals. After considerable planning and preparation, a site on the outskirts of Dubbo in central West New South Wales was chosen. Formerly an army camp during World War Two, the site was transformed into a 300 hectare zoo of woodland and irrigated grasslands.

Western Plains Zoo opened to the public on 28 February 1977. When the zoo opened, it contained 35 different animals from six countries. The zoo is an open-range design, with walls and fences replaced by concealed moats which divide the animals from the visitors. This creates the impression of actually being with the animals in the wild. It was also the first zoo to be built in Australia in 60 years.

 

[Riley]

Thank you for this info

 

[Zorro]

I went there about three months after it opened there were not many species there at that time, No Lion, Tiger, rhinos or Bongos back then, The 4 African elephants had only been there a short time, there was a Giraffe group of about 6 or 7 then, I believe I counted 54 Eland and 3 Hippos. Only 3 Grants Zebra at the time.

 

[Zoofan15]

An article from today:

Cuddles - the Zoo's sweetheart

 

[Abbey]

Water replaces bars at Dubbo
Sydney Morning Herald, September 25, 1982

The Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo has started a new trend in zoos in more ways than one.

The open paddock enclosures, which are protected by moats, have introduced a new concept of zoos to Australia that is far removed from the traditional steel enclosures. Zoos in Adelaide and Perth are planning to copy it. To cap it all the breeding of animals at Dubbo has been so successful that the zoo is sending rare animals back overseas for release in' the wild in. their native habitats. The head keeper of Dubbo Plains Zoo, Mr Bruce Campbell, said this week, "Zoos have turned a full circle. "For years zoos have been criticised for taking animals out of the wild and locking them up in cages. "Now, as more and more animals become endangered and near extinction in their native areas, zoos are providing the breeding stock to replace them." Dubbo Zoo has been particularly successful in breeding Indian Antelope or Black Buck, the beautiful spotted deer of India. The black buck is native to the Sind region of Pakistan. But in Pakistan they have become almost extinct.

Pakistani authorities appealed to the NSW Zoological Board, which runs Dubbo and Taronga zoos, to help rebuild their native herds. Dubbo Zoo this month dispatched six antelopes to Pakistan. 'The black buck is breeding prolifically at Dubbo Zoo. We are embarrassed by the number we have," Mr Campbell said. "We hope to send about six animals to Pakistan every year for release in the wild."

Taronga Zoo in Sydney is matching Dubbo by breeding smaller animals for return to their native lands. Taronga last month sent 15 rhinoceros iguana to Santo Domingo in the West Indies to begin building its almost extinct species of native lizards. Dubbo Western Plains Zoo has recorded the best breeding success of any zoo in the world with African eland. It is one of the biggest herds of these antelopes in captivity. Dubbo also has one of the biggest herds of Przewalski horse of any zoo in the world. This Mongolian wild horse, the oldest breed in the world, was the species from which the present domestic horse evolved. There are only 350 of the species in the world. Dubbo Zoo has 13. Horses bred at Dubbo will eventually be returned to their native habitats. Dubbo Zoo has many other exotic animals to be seen along its seven kilometres of roads which can be travelled by car, hired bicycles or on foot trails. There are two magnificent Bengal tigers which delight visitors by plunging into their protective moat for a swim. The only African elephants in Australia are boused at the zoo — three female and one male. There are hippopotami, white rhinoceroses, a giraffe, an Arabian camel, American bison and monkeys inhabiting their own island in the lake. The zoo naturally has big exhibits of Australian animals — kangaroos, koalas and dingoes.

If you have a barbecue or picnic near the lakes of the zoo, you will probably be visited by' the emus, roaming free in the grounds.

Dubbo, about 350 kilometres west of Sydney, has found a tourist bonanza with the five-year-old Zoo in the West.

 

[Zoofan15]

Water replaces bars at Dubbo
Sydney Morning Herald, September 25, 1982

The Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo has started a new trend in zoos in more ways than one.

The open paddock enclosures, which are protected by moats, have introduced a new concept of zoos to Australia that is far removed from the traditional steel enclosures. Zoos in Adelaide and Perth are planning to copy it. To cap it all the breeding of animals at Dubbo has been so successful that the zoo is sending rare animals back overseas for release in' the wild in. their native habitats. The head keeper of Dubbo Plains Zoo, Mr Bruce Campbell, said this week, "Zoos have turned a full circle. "For years zoos have been criticised for taking animals out of the wild and locking them up in cages. "Now, as more and more animals become endangered and near extinction in their native areas, zoos are providing the breeding stock to replace them." Dubbo Zoo has been particularly successful in breeding Indian Antelope or Black Buck, the beautiful spotted deer of India. The black buck is native to the Sind region of Pakistan. But in Pakistan they have become almost extinct.

Pakistani authorities appealed to the NSW Zoological Board, which runs Dubbo and Taronga zoos, to help rebuild their native herds. Dubbo Zoo this month dispatched six antelopes to Pakistan. 'The black buck is breeding prolifically at Dubbo Zoo. We are embarrassed by the number we have," Mr Campbell said. "We hope to send about six animals to Pakistan every year for release in the wild."

Taronga Zoo in Sydney is matching Dubbo by breeding smaller animals for return to their native lands. Taronga last month sent 15 rhinoceros iguana to Santo Domingo in the West Indies to begin building its almost extinct species of native lizards. Dubbo Western Plains Zoo has recorded the best breeding success of any zoo in the world with African eland. It is one of the biggest herds of these antelopes in captivity. Dubbo also has one of the biggest herds of Przewalski horse of any zoo in the world. This Mongolian wild horse, the oldest breed in the world, was the species from which the present domestic horse evolved. There are only 350 of the species in the world. Dubbo Zoo has 13. Horses bred at Dubbo will eventually be returned to their native habitats. Dubbo Zoo has many other exotic animals to be seen along its seven kilometres of roads which can be travelled by car, hired bicycles or on foot trails. There are two magnificent Bengal tigers which delight visitors by plunging into their protective moat for a swim. The only African elephants in Australia are boused at the zoo — three female and one male. There are hippopotami, white rhinoceroses, a giraffe, an Arabian camel, American bison and monkeys inhabiting their own island in the lake. The zoo naturally has big exhibits of Australian animals — kangaroos, koalas and dingoes.

If you have a barbecue or picnic near the lakes of the zoo, you will probably be visited by' the emus, roaming free in the grounds.

Dubbo, about 350 kilometres west of Sydney, has found a tourist bonanza with the five-year-old Zoo in the West.

Thanks for sharing this article, it was interesting to read through.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo (1977) was the region’s second open range zoo, following on from Orana Wildlife Park which opened in 1976; and was Australia’s first open range zoo.

The opening of Werribee Open Range Zoo and Monarto Zoo the following decade were no doubt inspired by the success of the Dubbo site.

It’s a shame despite their efforts to export Indian antelope for reintroduction into the wild, that none were imported to supplement their herd. They claim embarrassment over their numbers, but these days - a greater source of embarrassment would be the level of inbreeding (as with many ungulates in the region).

 

[Zorro]

Water replaces bars at Dubbo
Sydney Morning Herald, September 25, 1982

The Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo has started a new trend in zoos in more ways than one.

The open paddock enclosures, which are protected by moats, have introduced a new concept of zoos to Australia that is far removed from the traditional steel enclosures. Zoos in Adelaide and Perth are planning to copy it. To cap it all the breeding of animals at Dubbo has been so successful that the zoo is sending rare animals back overseas for release in' the wild in. their native habitats. The head keeper of Dubbo Plains Zoo, Mr Bruce Campbell, said this week, "Zoos have turned a full circle. "For years zoos have been criticised for taking animals out of the wild and locking them up in cages. "Now, as more and more animals become endangered and near extinction in their native areas, zoos are providing the breeding stock to replace them." Dubbo Zoo has been particularly successful in breeding Indian Antelope or Black Buck, the beautiful spotted deer of India. The black buck is native to the Sind region of Pakistan. But in Pakistan they have become almost extinct.

Pakistani authorities appealed to the NSW Zoological Board, which runs Dubbo and Taronga zoos, to help rebuild their native herds. Dubbo Zoo this month dispatched six antelopes to Pakistan. 'The black buck is breeding prolifically at Dubbo Zoo. We are embarrassed by the number we have," Mr Campbell said. "We hope to send about six animals to Pakistan every year for release in the wild."

Taronga Zoo in Sydney is matching Dubbo by breeding smaller animals for return to their native lands. Taronga last month sent 15 rhinoceros iguana to Santo Domingo in the West Indies to begin building its almost extinct species of native lizards. Dubbo Western Plains Zoo has recorded the best breeding success of any zoo in the world with African eland. It is one of the biggest herds of these antelopes in captivity. Dubbo also has one of the biggest herds of Przewalski horse of any zoo in the world. This Mongolian wild horse, the oldest breed in the world, was the species from which the present domestic horse evolved. There are only 350 of the species in the world. Dubbo Zoo has 13. Horses bred at Dubbo will eventually be returned to their native habitats. Dubbo Zoo has many other exotic animals to be seen along its seven kilometres of roads which can be travelled by car, hired bicycles or on foot trails. There are two magnificent Bengal tigers which delight visitors by plunging into their protective moat for a swim. The only African elephants in Australia are boused at the zoo — three female and one male. There are hippopotami, white rhinoceroses, a giraffe, an Arabian camel, American bison and monkeys inhabiting their own island in the lake. The zoo naturally has big exhibits of Australian animals — kangaroos, koalas and dingoes.

If you have a barbecue or picnic near the lakes of the zoo, you will probably be visited by' the emus, roaming free in the grounds.

Dubbo, about 350 kilometres west of Sydney, has found a tourist bonanza with the five-year-old Zoo in the West.

I am not sure about the Blackbuck being a spotted dear.
As for the Przewalski horse herd being one of the largest in the world that's not correct then or now

 

[Zoofan15]

Plans to exhibit chimpanzee:

Taronga Western Plains Zoo announced plans to acquire a bachelor troop of chimpanzees at the 1991 Australasian Primate Meeting.

The exhibit was planned to open in 1994 and would accomodate an initial bachelor troop of six males.

The obvious candidates in 1994 were:

1.0 Lewis (1985) Taronga
1.0 Monte (1985) Taronga
1.0 Gombe (1988) Taronga
1.0 Lobo (1989) Taronga
1.0 Marty (1988) Wellington
1.0 Lucifer (1988) Auckland

This would have been of great benefit to the region. Lucifer’s parents had a second son in 1993, which together with Lucifer, compounded tensions in their cramped exhibit once the young males hit adolescence; while Wellington later exported two males due to the gender imbalance in their troop. The four males at Taronga listed above were competition for their new breeding male, but three of the above died - and the fourth was exported.

 

[Zorro]

Thanks for sharing this article, it was interesting to read through.

Taronga Western Plains Zoo (1977) was the region’s second open range zoo, following on from Orana Wildlife Park which opened in 1976; and was Australia’s first open range zoo.

The opening of Werribee Open Range Zoo and Monarto Zoo the following decade were no doubt inspired by the success of the Dubbo site.

It’s a shame despite their efforts to export Indian antelope for reintroduction into the wild, that none were imported to supplement their herd. They claim embarrassment over their numbers, but these days - a greater source of embarrassment would be the level of inbreeding (as with many ungulates in the region).

Its irritating when zoos make statements like this, "they have started a new trend in zoos", it makes them sound like they were the ones that discovered fire. At the end of the day yes it was the first open range zoo in the country but nothing new about the idea in the zoo world or the or even its collection!

 

[Zoofan15]

Its irritating when zoos make statements like this, "they have started a new trend in zoos", it makes them sound like they were the ones that discovered fire. At the end of the day yes it was the first open range zoo in the country but nothing new about the idea in the zoo world or the idea or even its the collection!

Agreed. Even before the open range zoo trend, there were lion parks (including several in the region) which were of a size comparable to or larger than the lion exhibits at the open range zoos.

Some of the open range zoos were initially closed to the public and were merely a satellite site to support the housing of large ungulates at the city zoos, with advances in husbandry and a lack of contraception seeing these species reproduce beyond what the zoos could accomodate.

 

[Zorro]

Agreed. Even before the open range zoo trend, there were lion parks (including several in the region) which were of a size comparable to or larger than the lion exhibits at the open range zoos.

Some of the open range zoos were initially closed to the public and were merely a satellite site to support the housing of large ungulates at the city zoos, with advances in husbandry and a lack of contraception seeing these species reproduce beyond what the zoos could accomodate.

When one considers that Whipsnade open in 1931 this is hardy a new concept also when I visited not long after it opened in 1977 the range of animals never compared to similar zoos overseas or even as it stands today!

 

[Zoofan15]

When one considers that Whipsnade open in 1931 this is hardy a new concept also when I visited not long after it opened in 1977 the range of animals never compared to similar zoos overseas or even as it stands today!

In terms of size and species, Monarto leads the way regionally - but due to import restrictions, our region’s open range zoos will never attain the diversity in species seen in European or North American collections. Suidae species are banned, as are several ungulates; and of course, birds.

 

[Zorro]

In terms of size and species, Monarto leads the way regionally - but due to import restrictions, our region’s open range zoos will never attain the diversity in species seen in European or North American collections. Suidae species are banned, as are several ungulates; and of course, birds.

Of coarse import restrictions have been a barrier but now the IRA for bovines has been completed that is an option to close the gap if they wish

 

[Abbey]

I am not sure about the Blackbuck being a spotted dear.
As for the Przewalski horse herd being one of the largest in the world that's not correct then or now

Oh deer

I used the text reader feature in the newspaper database, and tried to fix the errors, but that one slipped through - no doubt there would have been a lot more if I'd transcribed it myself

I recall a teacher at primary school telling me about driving through a lion park (I seem to think he'd said this was at Dubbo, but may have been elsewhere like one of the Bullens sites which were around).

As standards changed, the number of animal-holding facilities reduced, which has now been remedied with the open-range zoos and many high-quality privately-run zoos started up and taking on exotic species.

 

[Zoofan15]

I recall a teacher at primary school telling me about driving through a lion park (I seem to think he'd said this was at Dubbo, but may have been elsewhere like one of the Bullens sites which were around).

As standards changed, the number of animal-holding facilities reduced, which has now been remedied with the open-range zoos and many high-quality privately-run zoos started up and taking on exotic species.

I’d assume this was the African Lion Safari and Dolphinarium in Warragamba (NSW). It was one of the Bullen’s parks and operated from 1968-1991.

Bullen’s operated five lion parks in Australia:

NSW: 1968-1991
QLD: 1969-1988
WA: 1971-1988
VIC: 1970-1982
SA: 1971-1986

Ashton’s operated another three including Bacchus Marsh Lion Safari (1970-1985).

 

[Zorro]

I’d assume this was the African Lion Safari and Dolphinarium in Warragamba (NSW). It was one of the Bullen’s parks and operated from 1968-1991.

Bullen’s operated five lion parks in Australia:

NSW: 1968-1991
QLD: 1969-1988
WA: 1971-1988
VIC: 1970-1982
SA: 1971-1986

Ashton’s operated another three including Bacchus Marsh Lion Safari (1970-1985).

Actually there were 2 Lion parks south of Brisbane, one at Shailer park next to the pacific highway and another further down the highway at Beenleigh. The one at shailer park closed down leaving the one at Beenleigh. I only visited the Beenleigh park once which was one time to many!

 

[Zoofan15]

Actually there were 2 Lion parks south of Brisbane, one at Shailer park next to the pacific highway and another further down the highway at Beenleigh. The one at shailer park closed down leaving the one at Beenleigh. I only visited the Beenleigh park once which was one time to many!

New Zealand had a few lion drive throughs, which were phased out around a similar time to the Australian parks (1980’s-1990’s). They were wildly popular, with lions being well suited as charismatic pride dwelling felids that had no fear of the procession of vehicles driving through their habitat.

It was noted the Bullen’s lion parks closed due to changes in regulations making it non viable to continue, which surely would have also been the cause for the others to close.

Orana’s drive through was so popular that when it closed in 1995, it was rebooted four years later with a lion proof cage attached to the back of a 4WD giving visitors a close encounter with the lions.

 

[Jambo]

I’d assume this was the African Lion Safari and Dolphinarium in Warragamba (NSW). It was one of the Bullen’s parks and operated from 1968-1991.

Bullen’s operated five lion parks in Australia:

NSW: 1968-1991
QLD: 1969-1988
WA: 1971-1988
VIC: 1970-1982
SA: 1971-1986

Ashton’s operated another three including Bacchus Marsh Lion Safari (1970-1985).

Tsavo (Melbourne’s former breeding male in the 90’s) actually came from a Lion Safari in Vic - can’t remember which exactly though.

He was circus born too, so I’d imagine possibly from one of the Lion Parks run by Ashtons.

 

[Zoofan15]

Tsavo (Melbourne’s former breeding male in the 90’s) actually came from a Lion Safari in Vic - can’t remember which exactly though.

He was circus born too, so I’d imagine possibly from one of the Lion Parks run by Ashtons.

I was told Tsavo and his brother Kruger came from Bullen’s Lion Park in 1988. I note the lion park in Victoria closed in 1982, but the land wasn’t sold until 1988, so assume either some lions remained on the property; or they were sent to another Bullens facility (many of the animals went to their Sydney site) and from there, were sent on to Melbourne Zoo.

They were introduced to the Melbourne Zoo’s three lionesses (Jacquelin, Autumn and Juliana) to form a pride.