Taronga Western Plains Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo history

Jambo said:
Were they all kept in one pride? They would've been quite a sight to see if so!
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No, the eight lions include a cub imported in 1969 that was apparently purebred (despite being named Simba). There was discussion of returning him to India to join lionesses at one of their zoo, while noting in 1971 that India had prohibited the export of Asiatic lions as @Zorro mentioned. The reason given was their low population.

The other lions arrived in the decades that followed. Siblings, Kutch and Kandi were born at Zoo Knoxville 01/07/1983 and were imported 31/08/1989. Kutch was one of the last - dying 15/06/1999; followed by the 1.1 that died in 2002.
 
Zoofan15 said:
No, the eight lions include a cub imported in 1969 that was apparently purebred (despite being named Simba). There was discussion of returning him to India to join lionesses at one of their zoo, while noting in 1971 that India had prohibited the export of Asiatic lions as @Zorro mentioned. The reason given was their low population.

The other lions arrived in the decades that followed. Siblings, Kutch and Kandi were born at Zoo Knoxville 01/07/1983 and were imported 31/08/1989. Kutch was one of the last - dying 15/06/1999; followed by the 1.1 that died in 2002.
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I am not sure why Indian zoos have been so reluctant to export even surplus lions to overseas captive programs, My understanding is that they are common among Indian zoos to a point where there are lots of excess numbers. I believe the numbers in the Gir forest is the best they have been in many years.
Also I believe that the London Zoo was to receive 2 pairs from India for their then new Land of the Lions but apparently only one pair was given!
 
Zorro said:
I am not sure why Indian zoos have been so reluctant to export even surplus lions to overseas captive programs, My understanding is that they are common among Indian zoos to a point where there are lots of excess numbers. I believe the numbers in the Gir forest is the best they have been in many years.
Also I believe that the London Zoo was to receive 2 pairs from India for their then new Land of the Lions but apparently only one pair was given!
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Presumably some exceptions were made (to London as you mention) for breeding programmes in Europe to exist. Husbandry has greatly improved and they now breed relatively well in zoos.

Singapore have excelled in breeding this species and had a sizeable pride when I visited.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Presumably some exceptions were made (to London as you mention) for breeding programmes in Europe to exist. Husbandry has greatly improved and they now breed relatively well in zoos.

Singapore have excelled in breeding this species and had a sizeable pride when I visited.
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The fact is that the size of the European population is limited despite how well they are breeding, If an odd import of any excess Lions from India were to happen to the European breeding population it would be a win win situation!
 
steveroberts said:
TWPZ Map December 1997
(source:Upload Image — Free Image Hosting)

View attachment 602151
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Great find, thank you! WPZ really prided itself on being a 'Five Continents in One Day' experience around this point. The current orientation of the map is different to this, although the scale has also changed, making some parts look more similar than others (albeit with a number of the species changing).

I didn't realise that Dubbo held Collared Peccary. The South American collection of what was then Western Plains Zoo in the 1990s and 2000s is unmatched by any zoo in Australia these days, except perhaps Darling Downs Zoo.
 
Abbey said:
Great find, thank you! WPZ really prided itself on being a 'Five Continents in One Day' experience around this point. The current orientation of the map is different to this, although the scale has also changed, making some parts look more similar than others (albeit with a number of the species changing).

I didn't realise that Dubbo held Collared Peccary. The South American collection of what was then Western Plains Zoo in the 1990s and 2000s is unmatched by any zoo in Australia these days, except perhaps Darling Downs Zoo.
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@Abbey In regards to the Collard Peccary I have never seen the species at the zoo on any of my visits over the years, Also when I visited only months after it had opened they had listed Giant anteaters that I had also never saw there!
 
Zorro said:
The fact is that the size of the European population is limited despite how well they are breeding, If an odd import of any excess Lions from India were to happen to the European breeding population it would be a win win situation!
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With human encroachment on their native range causing conflict, you'd have thoughts there'd be the ocassional lion in need of relocation.
 
Abbey said:
Great find, thank you! WPZ really prided itself on being a 'Five Continents in One Day' experience around this point. The current orientation of the map is different to this, although the scale has also changed, making some parts look more similar than others (albeit with a number of the species changing).

I didn't realise that Dubbo held Collared Peccary. The South American collection of what was then Western Plains Zoo in the 1990s and 2000s is unmatched by any zoo in Australia these days, except perhaps Darling Downs Zoo.
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Zorro said:
@Abbey In regards to the Collard Peccary I have never seen the species at the zoo on any of my visits over the years, Also when I visited only months after it had opened they had listed Giant anteaters that I had also never saw there!
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I would assume their Collared peccary were bred at Melbourne Zoo, who've bred 41 peccaries from 1973 and 2012. Their peccary (and all the others in the region) descend from Wellington's original pair - imported from Canada in 1969.
 
Zoofan15 said:
With human encroachment on their native range causing conflict, you'd have thoughts there'd be the ocassional lion in need of relocation.
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There has been a plan for many years to relocate some of the Lions to another area which was chosen years ago but I understand that the state government where they occur won't let them take any so the park remains overcrowded. :confused:
 
Zorro said:
There has been a plan for many years to relocate some of the Lions to another area which was chosen years ago but I understand that the state government where they occur won't let them take any so the park remains overcrowded. :confused:
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Sounds similar to the over population of African elephants in Africa. Imagine what a thriving breeding programme could be established in Australasia across our open range zoos.

I often wonder if the initial herd at Dubbo had bred, this would have been the catalyst for succession.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Sounds similar to the over population of African elephants in Africa. Imagine what a thriving breeding programme could be established in Australasia across our open range zoos.

I often wonder if the initial herd at Dubbo had bred, this would have been the catalyst for succession.
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Having followed Dubbo's herd from day one I believe if they had of imported a larger number at least another bull things may of evolved differently. I am not aware if they did any blood tests on the females in regards to trying to breed with the bull but I doubt it.
Having seen Congo in later years at Dubbo I am surprised he had not bred since I believe he had previously in the USA. I don't know his age upon arrival at the WPZ but is was fully mature for sure.
One problem with having a solo bull is if he does not want to breed or can't the breeding goals are going no where, Also as they found out with Toronto zoos herd of 1 bull and 8 cows which had bred a number of times if the bulls dies with no reserve bull in house that lead to the end of any breeding with this herd!
 
Zorro said:
Having followed Dubbo's herd from day one I believe if they had of imported a larger number at least another bull things may of evolved differently. I am not aware if they did any blood tests on the females in regards to trying to breed with the bull but I doubt it.
Having seen Congo in later years at Dubbo I am surprised he had not bred since I believe he had previously in the USA. I don't know his age upon arrival at the WPZ but is was fully mature for sure.
One problem with having a solo bull is if he does not want to breed or can't the breeding goals are going no where, Also as they found out with Toronto zoos herd of 1 bull and 8 cows which had bred a number of times if the bulls dies with no reserve bull in house that lead to the end of any breeding with this herd!
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Congo was wild born in 1958 and wild caught in 1969. He was imported by the Lion Country Safari and sired three male calves bet wen 1980 and 1982. One of these was stillborn, another died at two years and the other died at 14 years.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Imagine what a thriving breeding programme could be established in Australasia across our open range zoos.
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My thoughts! I couldn't wrote it better myself. I also think that African Elephants would fit much better in most parts of Australia than their Asian counterparts (leaving the different status of threatening aside). How great would it be to see herds of Loxodonta africana not only at Dubbo but also at Monarto, Werribee and maybe Altina and bulls/older individuals at Mogo, Canberra and maybe Perth.

I know, im dreaming, but still...
 
zoomaniac said:
My thoughts! I couldn't wrote it better myself. I also think that African Elephants would fit much better in most parts of Australia than their Asian counterparts (leaving the different status of threatening aside). How great would it be to see herds of Loxodonta africana not only at Dubbo but also at Monarto, Werribee and maybe Altina and bulls/older individuals at Mogo, Canberra and maybe Perth.

I know, im dreaming, but still...
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It’s still not out of the question Monarto will acquire them. Like you say, they’d be well suited to their safari park. Altina and Mogo could potentially act in a supporting role, though Perth will never hold elephants again once they phase out.

However, I’m of the opinion Monarto will take the easier route of acquiring Asian elephants and I’m uncertain Altina and Mogo could afford elephants.

The best chance of a collaboration came a few years ago when Australia Zoo and Sydney Zoo both imported from overseas.
 
Share your opinion again.

Just let us imagine what COULD be done with African AND Asian Elephants in zoos of Australia and NZL or what holders COULD keeping one of those in the region respectively:

I already mention the institutions, that are imo able to keep at least 2 individuals of Loxodonta africana. I want to add Sydney Zoo to those. Although Sydney Zoo already has Elephas maximus, it would make sense to switch the species as long as Taronga has it too (and if import regulations and interrests of Australasian zoos allow to go - more - this way one day).

For Elephas maximus, I can see the following institutions as (new) holders:
-Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia Zoo, Orana and Darling Downs OR Wildlife HQ OR a new zoo in Brisbane and maybe Dubbo for herd/breeding groups
-Melbourne, Adelaide, Hunter Valley, Tasmania Zoo, Wellington, Auckland and maybe Hamilton for surplus bulls/older cows/other individuals.

Afaik, ZAA has still special connections to the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. So another reservoir to raise the E. m. population in the region could be the exchange with Singapore Zoo and Night Safari (leaving any different subspecies aside).

I know that keeping elephants isn't cheap. However, there must not always be a 50-Mio-USD-exhibit. If you have the space and the appropriate climate, it can be less expensive, so even non-metropolitan-cities could handle that. (I know there is more to look at, like experienced keepers, but it would be possible)

Sorry for being a little off topic;)
 
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