Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2023

[Zoofan15]

I voted Kobe. The other options sounded silly for a seal.

Clifton was my favourite. I thought it was fitting for a rookery dwelling pinniped. Watson sounded pretty rank.

I thought his elder sister had a really inspired named - Birubi is an Aboriginal word for “Southern Cross.” Taronga really outdid themselves with that name.

 

[Zoofan15]

Southern corroboree frog conservation:

From socials:

Over the past few days, 100 Southern Corroboree frogs were released into purpose-built enclosures in Kosciuszko National Park to help protect these critically endangered alpine dwellers from the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus.

This is the second cohort of zoo-bred frogs that have returned to the national park since the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires and is part of a long-term recovery plan for this critically endangered species. Without this project, the exhibits or the zoo breeding programs, this unique species would be extinct in the wild.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15

Brilliant news, thanks so much for finding out and sharing. Will be helpful too in the purpouse protected area besides the mentioned fungus and the damage from the fires three years ago also against the hoof treading of the feral horses/brumbies in that ecosystem like we were talking about last year.

 

[Zoofan15]

Nelly the Gibbon has Died

My friend visited Taronga Zoo this week and was sadly advised that Nelly, the female Northern white-cheeked gibbon has recently died. Her cause of death has yet to be announced.

Nelly was born at Wellington Zoo 20/06/1996 and came to Australia as a nine year in 2005. She originally lived at Perth Zoo, where she and her mate Kayak produced a daughter named Li-Lian in 2007. Li-Lian now lives at Melbourne Zoo and has been recently paired with a young male named Canh.

Nelly descends from the Tieu and Vang (paternal) and Philip and Racquel (maternal) lines through her parents, Vilson and Eeyore. She was the only one of their five offspring to survive to adulthood. Eeyore passed away in 1998; but Vilson still remains at Wellington Zoo, where he’s been paired with Robyn (Eeyore’s younger sister). Vilson and Robyn have no surviving offspring.

No doubt a decision will be made soon regarding Nelly’s mate, Kayak. Kayak is a founder of the regional population, imported from France in 1999; but as an elderly male, companionship during his remaining years may well be the intention.

 

[Abbey]

That's sad news about Nelly. I'd not seen her for a while (since before Christmas) and I believe she has been unwell for a little while. Whether through obtaining a companion for Kayak or through a new pair, I gather that Taronga would continue with White-cheeked gibbons, unless they went back to Javan gibbons - those are the two species in the region best suiting the exhibit.

Other updates from Taronga yesterday:

• Nura Diya Australia is opening on April 3. From what I could see, the construction seems to be pretty much complete, so I would gather that the animals would be introduced into the exhibits shortly, if that process hasn't already gotten underway. It will open up the zoo a lot more having that top section no longer under construction.
• Fennec fox was off-display while a new male is being introduced to the female. Not sure whether for companionship or breeding purposes, nor whether he was imported from overseas or moved from within the region. Unsurprising (in a good way) that Taronga is continuing its history with this species.

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

Great news! With the opening of the Australia precinct in April and the Reptile and Amphibian Centre underway, it brings the zoo ever closer to the highly anticipated Congo precinct.


That’s interesting news. I had wondered if they’d take the opportunity to re-route the Sky Safari as part of the redevelopment.

The significance of this news is that the Sky Safari currently passes over the elephant exhibit. When the elephants transfer to Dubbo, this would have otherwise limited options for repurposing their exhibit; but now there’s the potential they could renovate this exhibit for a range of species.

Orangutans were originally in the masterplan, which would be exciting to see return to Taronga - with an aerial pathway or something similar.

I'm just catching up on old news from earlier in the year. I never heard about a Congo precinct before. What is the main species on display that is currently rumoured or is there nothing being speculated?

And when did they decide to remove elephants?

 

[Jambo]

I'm just catching up on old news from earlier in the year. I never heard about a Congo precinct before. What is the main species on display that is currently rumoured or is there nothing being speculated?

And when did they decide to remove elephants?

The Congo precinct's been on the cards for a while now and will likely begin construction following the completion of Iyora Australia (probably next year).

I emailed Taronga a few months ago and they confirmed the precinct will feature Gorilla (two exhibits, breeding and bachelor group), Black and White Colobus and *potentially* Okapi.

Not sure when Taronga decided to phase out their elephants, but @Zoofan15 discovered a document that seemed to mention a future phase out. Not sure when it will take place, but could possibly happen in the coming years once Dubbo's new barn is completed (if they are going there).

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

The Congo precinct's been on the cards for a while now and will likely begin construction following the completion of Iyora Australia (probably next year).

I emailed Taronga a few months ago and they confirmed the precinct will feature Gorilla (two exhibits, breeding and bachelor group), Black and White Colobus and *potentially* Okapi.

Not sure when Taronga decided to phase out their elephants, but @Zoofan15 discovered a document that seemed to mention a future phase out. Not sure when it will take place, but could possibly happen in the coming years once Dubbo's new barn is completed (if they are going there).

I went to Roar and Snore 2 weeks before the lion escape and waking up and going to the gorillas first thing was so fascinating, especially when I got to meet 4 keepers in the vicinity of the enclosure that starred on the Who's Who in the Zoo doco.

I had to sacrifice my sister losing her wallet with her school ID, credit card and school opal card (NSW transport card) just to wait an extra 4 days to see the COlobus. Now I can drive 2 hours to potentially see them!

I had an okapi toy as a kid. It was from the schindler brand (some name similar) and they sell other animal toys like giraffes, lions, horses, crocodiles, dinosaurs etc. I had an okapi and it sits above my bed to this day. Saw one's rump hiding behind it's barn at San Diego Zoo

It will be so sad to see the elephants go. Elephants are my favourite animal and it was a dream of mine (still is) to work with them at Taronga Zoo, and I'm still working hard to even make a career in zookeeping a thing. However, safari parks and open-range zoos are more suited for elephants due to the size of the paddocks that city zoos can't provide. It sucks but it's what is right for them.

 

[Zoofan15]

I'm just catching up on old news from earlier in the year. I never heard about a Congo precinct before. What is the main species on display that is currently rumoured or is there nothing being speculated?

And when did they decide to remove elephants?

The main species is in the Congo precinct will be Western lowland gorilla. The plan is to hold a breeding troop and a bachelor troop.

Okapi were in the original plans as a supporting species (and the zoo still hope to acquire them); but they can’t currently be imported and so this depends on when an IRA can be developed. The relevant IRA is widely speculated (but not confirmed) to be next after hippopotamus - but this could still take years. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Eastern bongo occupy their exhibit in the interim - with long term plans to refurbish it for Okapi.

The elephant phase out was first mentioned in the media last year. It’s a long anticipated decision considering how many city zoos have phased out elephants in recent years - or made imminent plans to.

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

The main species is in the Congo precinct will be Western lowland gorilla. The plan is to hold a breeding troop and a bachelor troop.

Okapi were in the original plans as a supporting species (and the zoo still hope to acquire them); but they can’t currently be imported and so this depends on when an IRA can be developed. The relevant IRA is widely speculated (but not confirmed) to be next after hippopotamus - but this could still take years. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Eastern bongo occupy their exhibit in the interim - with long term plans to refurbish it for Okapi.

The elephant phase out was first mentioned in the media last year. It’s a long anticipated decision considering how many city zoos have phased out elephants in recent years - or made imminent plans to.

I didn't do the Lemur Walk at Taronga but I can see on the map it goes outside of the lemur exhibit. Surely they could implement them or a section of the walk into the congo precinct? (I know lemurs don't come from anywhere near Congo but with the common idea to the public that both lemurs and gorillas come from the jungle, why don't they add both in the precinct?)

 

[Zoofan15]

I didn't do the Lemur Walk at Taronga but I can see on the map it goes outside of the lemur exhibit. Surely they could implement them or a section of the walk into the congo precinct? (I know lemurs don't come from anywhere near Congo but with the common idea to the public that both lemurs and gorillas come from the jungle, why don't they add both in the precinct?)

Although theoretically it could be integrated under the African forest theme, they’re committed to the Congo theme and won’t want to deviate. It’ll be an exciting precinct and there’s several species they can choose from without relying on external exhibits to support it. With Western lowland gorilla and Black and white colobus confirmed, they’ll be keen to source non primate species (ungulates etc) to balance out what they have.

 

[Jambo]

I didn't do the Lemur Walk at Taronga but I can see on the map it goes outside of the lemur exhibit. Surely they could implement them or a section of the walk into the congo precinct? (I know lemurs don't come from anywhere near Congo but with the common idea to the public that both lemurs and gorillas come from the jungle, why don't they add both in the precinct?)

That Lemur exhibit now houses Capybaras. The current Lemurs are housed in the former Orangutan enclosure which will be demolished for the new Congo precinct.

Not sure if Lemurs have a future at Taronga, but they may just continue breeding them at Dubbo.

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

That Lemur exhibit now houses Capybaras. The current Lemurs are housed in the former Orangutan enclosure which will be demolished for the new Congo precinct.

Not sure if Lemurs have a future at Taronga, but they may just continue breeding them at Dubbo.

I'd like to see Lemurs continued at Taronga. There aren't many on East Coast zoos and I'm not a fan of Symbio myself, even though I go there every Tuesday with work.

Symbio's troop is only 2 and there isnt much climbing for them in the small pen they are in so I hope they continue them at Taronga

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

Although theoretically it could be integrated under the African forest theme, they’re committed to the Congo theme and won’t want to deviate. It’ll be an exciting precinct and there’s several species they can choose from without relying on external exhibits to support it. With Western lowland gorilla and Black and white colobus confirmed, they’ll be keen to source non primate species (ungulates etc) to balance out what they have.

I hope they relocate them then. That walkthrough is beautiful just looking from photos and documentaries on the zoo

 

[Zoofan15]

I hope they relocate them then. That walkthrough is beautiful just looking from photos and documentaries on the zoo

I feel like lemurs are too enabling not to have a future at Taronga Zoo. They’re relatively inexpensive to keep and don’t take up a lot of space. Red ruffed lemur is soon to become a focus species, so Taronga may well consider these as a replacement.

 

[Jambo]

I'd like to see Lemurs continued at Taronga. There aren't many on East Coast zoos and I'm not a fan of Symbio myself, even though I go there every Tuesday with work.

Symbio's troop is only 2 and there isnt much climbing for them in the small pen they are in so I hope they continue them at Taronga

I hope they relocate them then. That walkthrough is beautiful just looking from photos and documentaries on the zoo

Lemurs could probably have a home in the Rainforest precinct. If mesh was applied to the current Bongo enclosure, that could be a suitable location. Not sure where else they'd fit though.

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

I feel like lemurs are too enabling not to have a future at Taronga Zoo. They’re relatively inexpensive to keep and don’t take up a lot of space. Red ruffed lemur is soon to become a focus species, so Taronga may well consider these as a replacement.

Wouldn't that make Taronga the only zoo with red-ruffed? I know melbourne has white-ruffed and ring tailed. Personally, having Ring-tailed would make the most sense as they are the most common subspecies

 

[AreOhAreWhy]

Lemurs could probably have a home in the Rainforest precinct. If mesh was applied to the current Bongo enclosure, that could be a suitable location. Not sure where else they'd fit though.

True. I think that Bongo enclosure would need a complete rework though. The mud floor wouldn't be ideal and from what I've seen, people find it a hazard as rain makes it damper and harder to work around, making more risks for keepers and volunteers

 

[Jambo]

Wouldn't that make Taronga the only zoo with red-ruffed? I know melbourne has white-ruffed and ring tailed. Personally, having Ring-tailed would make the most sense as they are the most common subspecies

I believe so. Taronga may look into holding Black and White (or Red Ruffed) as a semi point of difference to Dubbo who maintains a breeding group of Ringtails. Dubbo do have Black and White Ruffed though, so an exchange might be something they could consider.

True. I think that Bongo enclosure would need a complete rework though. The mud floor wouldn't be ideal and from what I've seen, people find it a hazard as rain makes it damper and harder to work around, making more risks for keepers and volunteers

More vegetation could be added, alongside elevated platforms for the Lemurs. The floor shouldn't be an issue imo. A lot of other exhibits around the zoo have a similar floor, and they don't present any issues afaik.

 

[Zoofan15]

Wouldn't that make Taronga the only zoo with red-ruffed? I know melbourne has white-ruffed and ring tailed. Personally, having Ring-tailed would make the most sense as they are the most common subspecies

Long term, there will be several regional holders of Red ruffed lemur. Auckland and Wellington Zoo are strong candidates, as is Melbourne Zoo. At this stage, it hasn’t been confirmed either way whether the ZAA will continue with Black and white ruffed lemur alongside a programme for Red ruffed - and indeed, there hasn’t been a lot of breeding of the former in recent years.

Female Red ruffed lemurs are highly territorial (females can’t remain in their natal troop), so I’d imagine three pairs will be imported into the region, with other holders receiving surplus females from them in the years that follow and holding non breeding troops or pairs.