Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2024

JessKimber said:
I hate to always complain on here, but going to Taronga now just makes me feel really depressed about everything we used to have and have lost. Are they going bankrupt? Is that possible for a government funded zoo? Where is the money going?
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Taronga isn’t suffering any financial issues as they’re a government funded zoo. It’s clear they’re receiving funding for projects such as the upcoming Reptile and Amphibian House; though I agree the declining collection is a disappointment.

The bias towards visitor amenities isn’t appreciated by many people on here and it’s noticeable how Sydney Zoo’s emphasis on displaying species no longer held at Taronga (rhinos, hyena, baboons, orangutans) has proved a popular move.

Taronga, Melbourne and more recently, Auckland, appear to be the strongest followers of this trend (phase outs/more visitor amenities). Tbh it gives me a greater appreciation for the zoos that focus on being a zoo (well stocked with animals) first and foremost, including several regional zoos.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Taronga isn’t suffering any financial issues as they’re a government funded zoo. It’s clear they’re receiving funding for projects such as the upcoming Reptile and Amphibian House; though I agree the declining collection is a disappointment.

The bias towards visitor amenities isn’t appreciated by many people on here and it’s noticeable how Sydney Zoo’s emphasis on displaying species no longer held at Taronga (rhinos, hyena, baboons, orangutans) has proved a popular move.

Taronga, Melbourne and more recently, Auckland, appear to be the strongest followers of this trend (phase outs/more visitor amenities). Tbh it gives me a greater appreciation for the zoos that focus on being a zoo (well stocked with animals) first and foremost, including several regional zoos.
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Given the space Taronga does and always has lacked, phasing out exotics, while disappointing, means more emphasis can be placed on smaller zoos targeted more for regional visitors, while Taronga can be more about the exhibition of natives and smaller species for the international market. The upcoming ARC will certainly help project this vision. While I’m not 100% supportive of the direction Taronga is going in, being a fan of ungulates, it’s necessary for the animals within our regional programs ie. Elephants etc. to breed at parks that can hold them without visitor complaint.
 
It would be interesting to record all the annual attendance numbers for the zoos in the state of New South Wales. It would be particularly interesting to see if Taronga Zoo, which had nearly 1.5 million visitors in 2010, has plateaued and been greatly affected by the opening of Sydney Zoo in December 2019.

Occasionally, the Taronga press releases will state that their two zoos (Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoo) receive a combined two million visitors, but what about the other New South Wales attractions? Someone needs to make a list! ;) I'd be curious to find out if Taronga's steady decline in showcasing exotics has had an affect on attendance numbers.
 
New Zealand fur seal pup makes debut:

From socials:

Eve has taken the plunge - literally. Now three-months-old, and weighing 9.4kg, Eve has officially made her debut, all under the watchful eye of 13-year-old mum Keke!

Eve is best spotted testing her swimming flippers between 9:30-11:30am at Seal Cove. She is still just a little pup, so will spend a bit of time hauled out sunbathing, recharging her batteries and suckling from mum.

Whilst she takes these breaks, be sure to pop by and catch Eve’s big brother, one-year-old Kobe, as he gains his confidence in our Seals for the Wild Presentations.
 
Update from the 30/3.

. The ARC is 90% complete. The current reptile centre is looking empty as the zoo is transitioning their reptiles into their new facilities. I estimate it to open before July.

. The Backyard to Bush Red Kangaroo exhibit has been re-turfed and the roos have moved to Nura Diya, with the emu in B-B now inhabiting the exhibit.
 
loganjmuir said:
Update from the 30/3.

. The ARC is 90% complete. The current reptile centre is looking empty as the zoo is transitioning their reptiles into their new facilities. I estimate it to open before July.

. The Backyard to Bush Red Kangaroo exhibit has been re-turfed and the roos have moved to Nura Diya, with the emu in B-B now inhabiting the exhibit.
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Would the new reptile house add any new species or just be new habitats for what they already have?
 
noobmaster69 said:
Would the new reptile house add any new species or just be new habitats for what they already have?
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There would be Philippine Croc, as well as the returning Komodo Dragon.

From what I noticed in the current reptile hub, a Tuatara, Fijian Crested Iguana, Rhinoceros Iguana, Short Beaked Echidna, Amethystine Python and several other smaller species were absent from their respective exhibits. The Echidna I assume are now back in B to B, but the other species are all listed in the plans for the RACC, as @Zoofan15 mentioned.
 
loganjmuir said:
There would be Philippine Croc, as well as the returning Komodo Dragon.

From what I noticed in the current reptile hub, a Tuatara, Fijian Crested Iguana, Rhinoceros Iguana, Short Beaked Echidna, Amethystine Python and several other smaller species were absent from their respective exhibits. The Echidna I assume are now back in B to B, but the other species are all listed in the plans for the RACC, as @Zoofan15 mentioned.
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That’s exciting as it indicates the opening of the RACC shouldn’t be too far away. I don’t know what Taronga’s population for Fijian crested iguana etc is but in the case of the Tuatara, they only have one (a seven year old female named Marika), so taking the species temporarily off display was essential.
 
Zoofan15 said:
That’s exciting as it indicates the opening of the RACC shouldn’t be too far away. I don’t know what Taronga’s population for Fijian crested iguana etc is but in the case of the Tuatara, they only have one (a seven year old female named Marika), so taking the species temporarily off display was essential.
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I believe the Fijian Iguana population is 3, but I'm unsure of gender specifics. It certainly is exciting as it means we will soon be able to access the RACC. When walking through the reptile hub, there are large signs letting you know the zoo is conditioning and transitioning animals, so exciting stuff. Numerous exhibits are also empty and unsigned, with a few completely blocked off by signs, murals etc.
 
loganjmuir said:
Given the space Taronga does and always has lacked, phasing out exotics, while disappointing, means more emphasis can be placed on smaller zoos targeted more for regional visitors, while Taronga can be more about the exhibition of natives and smaller species for the international market. The upcoming ARC will certainly help project this vision. While I’m not 100% supportive of the direction Taronga is going in, being a fan of ungulates, it’s necessary for the animals within our regional programs ie. Elephants etc. to breed at parks that can hold them without visitor complaint.
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The direction isnt the problem, its the fact that taronga refuse to realise that they are a zoo. And zoos exhibit species. The direction of moving all the larger hoof stock to western plains is good space wise. But the world has a huge range of smaller species and taronga isnt investing on exhibiting them.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Taronga isn’t suffering any financial issues as they’re a government funded zoo. It’s clear they’re receiving funding for projects such as the upcoming Reptile and Amphibian House; though I agree the declining collection is a disappointment.

The bias towards visitor amenities isn’t appreciated by many people on here and it’s noticeable how Sydney Zoo’s emphasis on displaying species no longer held at Taronga (rhinos, hyena, baboons, orangutans) has proved a popular move.

Taronga, Melbourne and more recently, Auckland, appear to be the strongest followers of this trend (phase outs/more visitor amenities). Tbh it gives me a greater appreciation for the zoos that focus on being a zoo (well stocked with animals) first and foremost, including several regional zoos.
Click to expand...

It would be interesting to see how there attendance fairs. I hope they take a huge hit and Sydney has a huge increase. Then they may remember what they are.

While taronga is government funded, they try to run it as a business. The new education precinct, the new wildlife retreat, the huge spaces given to food and beverage and staging areas for concerts, the kids play areas and wild ropes. Are all purely driven by generating income. While the move in investing into fake displays drives down costs of exhibiting species.

Now that the state is in labour hands it will be interesting to see if they do anything more on the animal front. As they tend to give more money. While the liberals tend to invest in projects that are not animal related and generate income. If it wasn't for the public backlash the new reptile house had, I dare say exhibits would have been cut. With space given to a reptile themed cafe.
 
Tiger91 said:
It would be interesting to see how there attendance fairs. I hope they take a huge hit and Sydney has a huge increase. Then they may remember what they are.

While taronga is government funded, they try to run it as a business. The new education precinct, the new wildlife retreat, the huge spaces given to food and beverage and staging areas for concerts, the kids play areas and wild ropes. Are all purely driven by generating income. While the move in investing into fake displays drives down costs of exhibiting species.

Now that the state is in labour hands it will be interesting to see if they do anything more on the animal front. As they tend to give more money. While the liberals tend to invest in projects that are not animal related and generate income. If it wasn't for the public backlash the new reptile house had, I dare say exhibits would have been cut. With space given to a reptile themed cafe.
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There is an unfortunate theme of guest-appeasing facilities throughout the zoo. On my visit on the 30/3, I went through B-B and that lower area of the zoo. As I mentioned previously, the walkthrough Kangaroo and Emu exhibit is empty, with the Emu's in the Red Kangaroo exhibit and the roos moved to Nura Diya. I forgot to mention that the other Red Kangaroo exhibit next to the Tasmanian Devils is and has been empty for several months now. It seems even the areas they are focusing on, Africa, Australia, RACC, are lacking in species themselves. Need I say empty exhibits aren't large crowd pulls. Not to mention the concert lawns south of the Camel exhibit. The School Camp area, along with the lawns, make up close to 2,000sqm. A wonderful waste of space in my opinion. There are 3 concerts held throughout the year, Christmas, New Year, and Twlilight at Taronga, now that they stopped using it as a VIVID location. The sheer amount of space dedicated to guest recreation in itself is unjustified and appalling, let alone the infrequency it is used.

I sincerely hope Taronga wakes up to the fact that they are lacking, and in more than one department too. They need to realise the substantial influence and power they have. Their programs outside the zoo; Corroboree Frogs, Sun Bear, Sumatran Rhino etc. aren't making up for their lacking collection. A ZOO works inside the confinements of their institution, as well as outside it.
 
loganjmuir said:
There is an unfortunate theme of guest-appeasing facilities throughout the zoo. On my visit on the 30/3, I went through B-B and that lower area of the zoo. As I mentioned previously, the walkthrough Kangaroo and Emu exhibit is empty, with the Emu's in the Red Kangaroo exhibit and the roos moved to Nura Diya. I forgot to mention that the other Red Kangaroo exhibit next to the Tasmanian Devils is and has been empty for several months now. It seems even the areas they are focusing on, Africa, Australia, RACC, are lacking in species themselves. Need I say empty exhibits aren't large crowd pulls. Not to mention the concert lawns south of the Camel exhibit. The School Camp area, along with the lawns, make up close to 2,000sqm. A wonderful waste of space in my opinion. There are 3 concerts held throughout the year, Christmas, New Year, and Twlilight at Taronga, now that they stopped using it as a VIVID location. The sheer amount of space dedicated to guest recreation in itself is unjustified and appalling, let alone the infrequency it is used.

I sincerely hope Taronga wakes up to the fact that they are lacking, and in more than one department too. They need to realise the substantial influence and power they have. Their programs outside the zoo; Corroboree Frogs, Sun Bear, Sumatran Rhino etc. aren't making up for their lacking collection. A ZOO works inside the confinements of their institution, as well as outside it.
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As well as looking at housing animals in rotational exhibits; Taronga should look at entertaining visitors in a rotational function building. It could house events/exhibitions; as well as school camps. Thrice a year, it can hold a concert if it really must. By having rotational exhibitions, it’ll encourage people to visit throughout the year to see different things; rather than something they know will always be there year round.

I agree re. conservation work. It’s all very impressive, but the average visitor is there because they want to see zoo animals. In doing so, they fund said conservation programmes; so the number of visitors they can bring in through the gates has a direct positive impact on conservation.
 
loganjmuir said:
There is an unfortunate theme of guest-appeasing facilities throughout the zoo. On my visit on the 30/3, I went through B-B and that lower area of the zoo. As I mentioned previously, the walkthrough Kangaroo and Emu exhibit is empty, with the Emu's in the Red Kangaroo exhibit and the roos moved to Nura Diya. I forgot to mention that the other Red Kangaroo exhibit next to the Tasmanian Devils is and has been empty for several months now. It seems even the areas they are focusing on, Africa, Australia, RACC, are lacking in species themselves. Need I say empty exhibits aren't large crowd pulls. Not to mention the concert lawns south of the Camel exhibit. The School Camp area, along with the lawns, make up close to 2,000sqm. A wonderful waste of space in my opinion. There are 3 concerts held throughout the year, Christmas, New Year, and Twlilight at Taronga, now that they stopped using it as a VIVID location. The sheer amount of space dedicated to guest recreation in itself is unjustified and appalling, let alone the infrequency it is used.

I sincerely hope Taronga wakes up to the fact that they are lacking, and in more than one department too. They need to realise the substantial influence and power they have. Their programs outside the zoo; Corroboree Frogs, Sun Bear, Sumatran Rhino etc. aren't making up for their lacking collection. A ZOO works inside the confinements of their institution, as well as outside it.
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Exactly! 100%. Im beginning to wonder wether taronga intentionally leaves exhibits open so they can then go, well there's nothing using that area we can use that for a cafe.
I dont have an issue with the concert lawns, they offer a nice space and have been there for a long time of memory. But the zoo doesn't need the high ropes waste of space, they dont need the education/tafe centre. And they certainly did not need to build accomodation when they are in the heart of Sydney. It's beyond a joke at what they have developed while letting there species collection crash. And I dare say that's exactly why they cancelled the congo precinct. Because it would have been a carbon copy of the African water hole. Where so much space is used for humans. Barely any is left for species and and the total number of species in the area drops. For the space they were going to take up, gorilla, maybe okapi, pygmy hippo maybe bongo and may colobus doesn't cut it. Ironically they stopped talking about it at the time they coped criticism for the Taronga being to urbanised.
 
Zoofan15 said:
As well as looking at housing animals in rotational exhibits; Taronga should look at entertaining visitors in a rotational function building. It could house events/exhibitions; as well as school camps. Thrice a year, it can hold a concert if it really must. By having rotational exhibitions, it’ll encourage people to visit throughout the year to see different things; rather than something they know will always be there year round.

I agree re. conservation work. It’s all very impressive, but the average visitor is there because they want to see zoo animals. In doing so, they fund said conservation programmes; so the number of visitors they can bring in through the gates has a direct positive impact on conservation.
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Animals connect humans with nature on a degree higher than any other form. They need to remember that, all the conservation in the world will not compare to people seeing and interacting with live animals.

They dont even need to use rotational human areas. They just need to stop with the kids play areas and cafes. They have a huge cafe area right across from the elephants in the main part of the zoo. And a large cafe area at the back of the gift shop. They dont really need anymore food areas. Instead of using land to build a nice exhibit for gibbons to brachiate they built the equivalent for ids to climb.
 
Tiger91 said:
Exactly! 100%. Im beginning to wonder wether taronga intentionally leaves exhibits open so they can then go, well there's nothing using that area we can use that for a cafe.
I dont have an issue with the concert lawns, they offer a nice space and have been there for a long time of memory. But the zoo doesn't need the high ropes waste of space, they dont need the education/tafe centre. And they certainly did not need to build accomodation when they are in the heart of Sydney. It's beyond a joke at what they have developed while letting there species collection crash. And I dare say that's exactly why they cancelled the congo precinct. Because it would have been a carbon copy of the African water hole. Where so much space is used for humans. Barely any is left for species and and the total number of species in the area drops. For the space they were going to take up, gorilla, maybe okapi, pygmy hippo maybe bongo and may colobus doesn't cut it. Ironically they stopped talking about it at the time they coped criticism for the Taronga being to urbanised.
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The TAFE/Taronga Institute is completely justified in my opinion. It provides a 'homebase' for Keepers and Educators, as well as youth programs run by the zoo. The TAFE courses there also provide courses and experiences unavailable at other facilities.

With the Congo, the species list would have been lacking no doubt, but it would have provided the opportunity to bring new species into the zoo and fill in the blanks left by the Gorillas, Hippo, Bongo etc. I understand where you are coming from though in regard to the High Ropes and accommodation options though. Given the accommodation is targeted at the international market, it makes no sense seeing as international visitors aren't flying thousands of kilometres to visit a zoo. People stay in the city, touring the main hotspots, with Taronga just being a fortunate byproduct of this trend.

Taronga obviously pay attention to their reputation and what the general public thinks, and have recognised that the exhibits are too small for their animals, but instead of expanding and building new precincts, Taronga have just decided to forfeit the species all together. Taronga's poor planning will only result in steady downflow of visitors and species. But unfortunately, they're only looking at the statistics, and given their target demographic is international visitors, it will look like they are exceeding, not to mention the fact they are a government zoo, and funding won't ever be an issue.
 
That Aussie Guy said:
What species are kept there?
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They are all off display of course, but just off the top of my head:

Herp Rooms
Shingleback
Black-headed Python
Spotted Python
Eastern Blue-tongue
Murray-Darling Python
Green Tree Frog
Magnificent Tree Frog
Cane Toad
Green-and-golden Bell Frog
Eastern Snake-necked Turtle
Estuarine Crocodile (hatchlings)
(Probably more that I can't remember just now)

Immersive Habitat Classrooms
Woodland Classroom: Bush Stone Curlew, Superb Parrot, Diamond Firetail
Desert Classroom: Greater Bilby, Budgerigar, Gouldian Finch, Australian Zebra Finch
Rainforest Classroom: Cotton-top Tamarin, Luzon Bleeding-heart Dove, Nicobar Pigeon, Elongated Tortoise, Chaco Tortoise

Outdoor exhibits
Short-beaked Echidna
Red Kangaroo, Swamp Wallaby, Red-necked Pademelon, Red Junglefowl
Galah
Pygmy Marmoset
Koala, Quokka

Rotation Aviary species
Elongated Tortoise
Chaco Tortoise
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Ringtail Possum
Squirrel Glider
Yellow-bellied Glider
Tawny Frogmouth
Woylie
 
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