Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2022

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Awww that's such awesome news, have to get to Taronga really soon to hopefully see/meet Wadu (great name, glad they gave him a name from one of the peoples that SHN Wombats are residents of their traditional country). Remember in the '90s there were always Common Wombats at Taronga, and early early '00s also; it was around 2003 if remember correctly that SHN Wombats started living at Taronga when 'Backyard to Bush' opened (though wouldn't be surprised Taronga had some individuals in prior decades).

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Remember in the '90s there were always Common Wombats at Taronga, and early early '00s also; it was around 2003 if remember correctly that SHN Wombats started living at Taronga when 'Backyard to Bush' opened (though wouldn't be surprised Taronga had some individuals in prior decades).

In 2012, Taronga Zoo announced they'd bred the first Southern hairy-nosed wombat in 30 years, with the birth of a joey named Turra. It was noted Taronga had been trying to breed that generation since 2002.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Awww that's such awesome news, have to get to Taronga really soon to hopefully see/meet Wadu (great name, glad they gave him a name from one of the peoples that SHN Wombats are residents of their traditional country). Remember in the '90s there were always Common Wombats at Taronga, and early early '00s also; it was around 2003 if remember correctly that SHN Wombats started living at Taronga when 'Backyard to Bush' opened (though wouldn't be surprised Taronga had some individuals in prior decades).

In 2012, Taronga Zoo announced they'd bred the first Southern hairy-nosed wombat in 30 years, with the birth of a joey named Turra. It was noted Taronga had been trying to breed that generation since 2002.

Southern hairy-nosed wombat joeys born at Taronga post mid 1980's:

0.1 Turra (2011) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Sydney (2013) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Kibbar (2015) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Wanyi (2019) Nuji x Jetta
0.1 Unknown (2020) Nuji x Jetta
1.0 Wadu (2021) Nuji x Jetta

 

[Jambo]

Southern hairy-nosed wombat joeys born at Taronga post mid 1980's:

0.1 Turra (2011) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Sydney (2013) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Kibbar (2015) Nuji x Kora
0.1 Wanyi (2019) Nuji x Jetta
0.1 Unknown (2020) Nuji x Jetta
1.0 Wadu (2021) Nuji x Jetta

I believe Jetta may have been born at Melbourne. Her name is familiar.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Awesome thanks for the info, that makes a lot of sense, wouldn't be surprised if perhaps 2001/2002 was the arrival year at Taronga for SHN individuals Nuji and Kora (and re-arrival of species, though Taronga could very well of kept individuals off public display in the '90s?). There's something that has re-emerged from memory too, though can only speculate it was around early 2002 (though 90% sure); so the well-known 'Platypus House' that was still in use until recently. When first visiting in mid '90s the Platypuses exhibited in tanks in the centre of the room were neighboured on one side by a tank for Rakali water-rats and to the left by an indoor viewing of the Short-Beaked Echidnas who had the low-walled triangle-like outdoor exhibit joined to the Platypus house (jumping ahead for a sec, about 19-12 years ago the Long-Beaked Echidna(s) also lived in the exhibit as many would remember); but think it was in about 2002 that there was a period that the Short-Beaked Echidnas were replaced by a Wombat or perhaps a couple of Wombats for a short-period and think it was perhaps around 2002 that saw this (just prior to the 'Backyard to Bush' opening). Also have a vague memory of a period where while the Echidnas had roam of the outdoor exhibit the indoor part was closed off for a time and a some Hopping Mice (I think Spinifiex species) inhabited the indoor portion. But as to the Wombats that occupied the northernmost exhibit of the 'Platypus House' area, am ashamed as an avid animal lover that cannot actually recall whether they were Southern Hairy-Nosed or Bare-Nosed/Common individuals.

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe Jetta may have been born at Melbourne. Her name is familiar.

Sounds probable. There's been a number of exchanges regionally. Kibbar is now at Adelaide Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Awesome thanks for the info, that makes a lot of sense, wouldn't be surprised if perhaps 2001/2002 was the re-arrival year at Taronga for SHN individuals Nuji and Kora. Theres something that has re-emerged from memory too, though can only speculate it was around early 2002 (though 90% sure); so the well-known 'Platypus House' that was still in use until recently. When first visiting in mid '90s the Platypuses exhibited in tanks in the centre of the room were neighboured on one side by a tank for Rakali water-rats and to the left by an indoor viewing of the Short-Beaked Echidnas who had the low-walled triangle-like outdoor exhibit joined to the Platypus house (jumping ahead for a sec, about 19-12 years ago the Long-Beaked Echidna(s) also lived in the exhibit as many would remember); but think it was in about 2002 that there was a period that the Short-Beaked Echidnas were replaced by a Wombat or perhaps a couple of Wombats for a short-period and think it was perhaps around 2002 that saw this (just prior to the 'Backyard to Bush' opening). Also have a vague memory of a period where while the Echidnas had roam of the outdoor exhibit the indoor part was closed off for a time and a some Hopping Mice (I think Spinifiex species) inhabited the indoor portion.

There was just the note tey'd been trying to breed them since 2002, so I don't know if both Nuji and Kora arrived that year or whether one had lived singly at the zoo for some time.

The male born last year was noted to be the second male, so I assume the first was the one born in the early 1980's (or earlier, since that was noted to be the last).

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Actually very likely they (Nuji and Kora) were at the zoo before 2002; its great that Taronga had breeding success with SHN up until the early 1980s. In terms of when Nuji and Kora may have first been at Taronga I have to admit that think there had been about an 18 month gap between late 2000 and 2002 that didn't make it to Taronga (for example saw Dora the Rhino for first time in about March or April 2002 not in December 2001 when he first arrived). Do recall that for a significant period in the mid to late '90s the zoo kept Common Wombats in an exhibit near the top entrance (next door to the old Komodo Dragon exhibit that had the unnamed female Komodo living there prior to her fatal mingling with Tuka the male); also recall seeing Rhinoceros Iguanas, and Tassie Devils for a period in exhibits in this area (and also some Koalas at times). First time that remember seeing SHN Wombats in terms of identifying them as being such was at Perth Zoo in about 1997 when the 'Bushwalk' exhibit opened (though again may have missed earlier signage both there and Taronga, for example Perth's Wombats were kept prior to the 'Bushwalk' in an exhibit a stone-throw away from the Tigers and Leopards until about 1996/1997, however cannot recall if were SHN or Common, @tetrapod would of course; but am certain that the Wombats at Taronga in the mid-late '90s kept at the entrance were Common/Bare-Nosed individuals).

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Actually very likely they (Nuji and Kora) were at the zoo before 2002; its great that Taronga had breeding success with SHN up until the early 1980s. In terms of when Nuji and Kora may have first been at Taronga I have to admit that think there had been about an 18 month gap between late 2000 and 2002 that didn't make it to Taronga (for example saw Dora the Rhino for first time in about March or April 2002 not in December 2001 when he first arrived). Do recall that for a significant period in the mid to late '90s the zoo kept Common Wombats in an exhibit near the top entrance (next door to the old Komodo Dragon exhibit that had the unnamed female Komodo living there prior to her fatal mingling with Tuka the male); also recall seeing Rhinoceros Iguanas, and Tassie Devils for a period in exhibits in this area (and also some Koalas at times). First time that remember seeing SHN Wombats in terms of identifying them as being such was at Perth Zoo in about 1997 when the 'Bushwalk' exhibit opened (though again may have missed earlier signage both there and Taronga, for example Perth's Wombats were kept prior to the 'Bushwalk' in an exhibit a stone-throw away from the Tigers and Leopards until about 1996/1997, however cannot recall if were SHN or Common, @tetrapod would of course; but am certain that the Wombats at Taronga in the mid-late '90s kept at the entrance were Common/Bare-Nosed individuals).

I assume they were the founding pair of the current colony, but have since found a mention of a male held at Taronga used as a stimulant male for Nuji and Korra in 2011. Also, it appears another wombat was born at Taronga as when Kibbar was transferred to Adelaide in 2017, she had a female joey in her pouch, who was named Harriet.

 

[Zoofan15]

I missed one! There was a male named Waru, who was born 2019 and would have been the male that preceded the latest joey. His mother (presumably Korra) died of an unexpected fungal infection when he was three months old. Waru was handraised (with his story featuring on the zoo’s TV show, but sadly died the following year.

 

[Abbey]

Per the YATZ Taronga (Youth at the Zoo) Instagram, Taronga has received a new male zebra from TWPZ, Obi, who is 1 year and 10 months old. He joins the zoo's existing zebra, the mare Kaya.

 

[Zoofan15]

Per the YATZ Taronga (Youth at the Zoo) Instagram, Taronga has received a new male zebra from TWPZ, Obi, who is 1 year and 10 months old. He joins the zoo's existing zebra, the mare Kaya.

Thanks for the update @Abbey.

This means the zoo’s stallion, Bwana, must have died. He’d otherwise be 18 years old this year, so getting on in years.

Bwana was born 2004 at Adelaide Zoo and was Hamilton Zoo’s breeding stallion until 2012, when he returned to Australia.

 

[Jambo]

That’s a shame regarding Bwana. He was the offspring of Zambezi (who’s still kicking at Monarto afaik), and sired quite a few calves at both Hamilton and Dubbo.

Obi’s from Dubbo, he was born there in 2020.

 

[Zoofan15]

The zoo’s first Koala joey of 2022 has emerged from the pouch:

A koala joey has just arrived at Taronga Zoo

The female joey was born in February to Willow. This is her sixth joey.

 

[tetrapod]

@Zoofan15 Actually very likely they (Nuji and Kora) were at the zoo before 2002; its great that Taronga had breeding success with SHN up until the early 1980s. In terms of when Nuji and Kora may have first been at Taronga I have to admit that think there had been about an 18 month gap between late 2000 and 2002 that didn't make it to Taronga (for example saw Dora the Rhino for first time in about March or April 2002 not in December 2001 when he first arrived). Do recall that for a significant period in the mid to late '90s the zoo kept Common Wombats in an exhibit near the top entrance (next door to the old Komodo Dragon exhibit that had the unnamed female Komodo living there prior to her fatal mingling with Tuka the male); also recall seeing Rhinoceros Iguanas, and Tassie Devils for a period in exhibits in this area (and also some Koalas at times). First time that remember seeing SHN Wombats in terms of identifying them as being such was at Perth Zoo in about 1997 when the 'Bushwalk' exhibit opened (though again may have missed earlier signage both there and Taronga, for example Perth's Wombats were kept prior to the 'Bushwalk' in an exhibit a stone-throw away from the Tigers and Leopards until about 1996/1997, however cannot recall if were SHN or Common, @tetrapod would of course; but am certain that the Wombats at Taronga in the mid-late '90s kept at the entrance were Common/Bare-Nosed individuals).

The exhibit you mention once housed Indian porcupines (80s), but in the latter years up till the Bushwalk 'opening' it held hairy-nose and these were moved to the new exhibit. Undoubtedly PZ held Commons at some stage but not sure when or where.

 

[Abbey]

Zoo visit 30/09/22:

I visited Taronga on Friday. Despite being school holidays, it wasn't particularly packed, due to wet weather, which thankfully didn't impact our visit too much.

Some updates:

• Construction has commenced on the Reptile and Amphibian Centre. The reinforcement of the hill above the picnic area (where the seal theatre used to be prior to GSO) has been demolished. The path has been narrowed between the camels and the gorillas (although has reopened, and I think this is temporary during construction) with large temporary fences added on each side. As such, it is quite difficult to view the tamarins from the main path. Presumably this has been done to protect the tamarins from noise and dust, while still keeping the path open.
• We saw both Red Kangaroo joeys in Backyard to Bush - one in the pouch, one outside of the pouch.
• I tried to have a sticky beak to see what's happening with the new Australia precinct construction, but it was a bit hard to tell. The old spider monkey exhibit is being turned into a cultural garden (I gather Aboriginal/Eora culture, given its location), but other than the signage, there wasn't too much more progress so not sure what it will look like in the end.
• I saw two Platypus in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk. The volunteer confirmed that those two were the potential breeding pair.
• The gorillas were in the small exhibit (which has previously housed lemur and, back in the day, De Brazza's guenon) while keepers were cleaning the main exhibit. I haven't seen that exhibit used for a long time, but that must have been due to chance. This allowed for good views of the gorillas. I will put some photos in the gallery once I've sorted them.
• Due to the wet weather, many of the chimps were in the smaller, glass-fronted part of the exhibit. It was wonderful to see them up so close; you get a much better look at them than over the moat.

 

[Jambo]

Zoo visit 30/09/22:

I visited Taronga on Friday. Despite being school holidays, it wasn't particularly packed, due to wet weather, which thankfully didn't impact our visit too much.

Some updates:

• Construction has commenced on the Reptile and Amphibian Centre. The reinforcement of the hill above the picnic area (where the seal theatre used to be prior to GSO) has been demolished. The path has been narrowed between the camels and the gorillas (although has reopened, and I think this is temporary during construction) with large temporary fences added on each side. As such, it is quite difficult to view the tamarins from the main path. Presumably this has been done to protect the tamarins from noise and dust, while still keeping the path open.
• We saw both Red Kangaroo joeys in Backyard to Bush - one in the pouch, one outside of the pouch.
• I tried to have a sticky beak to see what's happening with the new Australia precinct construction, but it was a bit hard to tell. The old spider monkey exhibit is being turned into a cultural garden (I gather Aboriginal/Eora culture, given its location), but other than the signage, there wasn't too much more progress so not sure what it will look like in the end.
• I saw two Platypus in the Blue Mountains Bushwalk. The volunteer confirmed that those two were the potential breeding pair.
• The gorillas were in the small exhibit (which has previously housed lemur and, back in the day, De Brazza's guenon) while keepers were cleaning the main exhibit. I haven't seen that exhibit used for a long time, but that must have been due to chance. This allowed for good views of the gorillas. I will put some photos in the gallery once I've sorted them.
• Due to the wet weather, many of the chimps were in the smaller, glass-fronted part of the exhibit. It was wonderful to see them up so close; you get a much better look at them than over the moat.

Thanks for the update!

It’s good to see the platypus have returned. I visited last year twice and didn’t manage to see them; the enclosures seemed to be under some sort of renovation, so I’d assume his new breeding pair is new.

The gorillas have access to the other enclosure (depending on the occasion). During my visit earlier this year, they had access to that enclosure, alongside the main one, but chose to stay in the main enclosure.

 

[Jambo]

The zoo’s first Koala joey of 2022 has emerged from the pouch:

A koala joey has just arrived at Taronga Zoo

The female joey was born in February to Willow. This is her sixth joey.

You can now vote for a name for the female joey.

Options are:

Minty - After the Narrow-Leafed Peppermint Gum, which is also a sweet treat that keepers include in the koala’s diet now and then.
Phoenix – After the Black Summer bushfires of 2020.
Dora – After the lemon-scented gum, Corymbia citriodora found in north-eastern Australia.

Source - Socials.

 

[Zoofan15]

You can now vote for a name for the female joey.

Options are:

Minty - After the Narrow-Leafed Peppermint Gum, which is also a sweet treat that keepers include in the koala’s diet now and then.
Phoenix – After the Black Summer bushfires of 2020.
Dora – After the lemon-scented gum, Corymbia citriodora found in north-eastern Australia.

Source - Socials.

This was mentioned in the link I included above.

Phoenix will win by a country mile.

 

[Jambo]

This was mentioned in the link I included above.

Phoenix will win by a country mile.

Taronga just announced it on their Instagram.

I too think Phoenix will be the winning name, but it seems there’s a lot of support for Minty too judging by the comments.