Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2024

Hhoops31 said:
which plans are you basing the water off of? the approved plans don't have the water feature in the top right exhibit (were the crocs were supposed to go) as well as lacking the second floor's under water viewing. I also didn't seen any water up there when I visited on friday. See final plans here: https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20220208T031107.567 GMT
Click to expand...
I managed to find the document detailing the water features in each exhibit. On page 14 it has a list of all water features in their respective habitats, labelling the Philippine Croc exhibit as a "Type 2" Pool type, essentially meaning a large pool with pressure filtration in the plant room. It also states the pool will be 75m/sq, the biggest on the list, hence why I made that assumption.

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
 
loganjmuir said:
I managed to find the document detailing the water features in each exhibit. On page 14 it has a list of all water features in their respective habitats, labelling the Philippine Croc exhibit as a "Type 2" Pool type, essentially meaning a large pool with pressure filtration in the plant room. It also states the pool will be 75m/sq, the biggest on the list, hence why I made that assumption.

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
Click to expand...

With signage indicating the ARC will open to the public on July 1, this raises the question of whether Taronga’s Phillipines crocodile/crocodiles are already in the house…

Yesterday Melbourne Zoo posted a feature on their socials highlighting the significance of the Phillipines crocodile as the world’s most endangered crocodile. Though I’m sure this was nothing more than them celebrating World Crocodile Day (June 17); how amazing would it be to see a group import of this species organised by Taronga/Melbourne with the goal of reviving the breeding of this species in Australasia.
 
loganjmuir said:
I managed to find the document detailing the water features in each exhibit. On page 14 it has a list of all water features in their respective habitats, labelling the Philippine Croc exhibit as a "Type 2" Pool type, essentially meaning a large pool with pressure filtration in the plant room. It also states the pool will be 75m/sq, the biggest on the list, hence why I made that assumption.

https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSD-17483577!20210714T010103.516 GMT
Click to expand...
As much as I hope your right the doc linked is for the non approved plans. It’s really annoying that the approved plans don’t have a version of this. As I said I really do hope that you’re right and that come the first of July a Phillipine Croc will be at Taronga. But I don’t think there is enough evidence to take their presence to be taken for granted. The enclosure that was set to house them literally doesn’t have water in it so I really do think it’s unlikely. I can post a pic of the enclosure I took on the 8th if needed as well
 
ARC is now officially open!!! No complete species list has been posted however from socials and the zoo’s website I don’t believe komodos or phillipine crocodiles to be in the precinct (this is based off of the idea that being big ticket species you would expect them to be featured at least once in promotional material and at least on the website) lace monitors seem to be the replacement for komodos. I am going on Saturday so I will send through a complete species list then as well as post some pics.
 
Hhoops31 said:
ARC is now officially open!!! No complete species list has been posted however from socials and the zoo’s website I don’t believe komodos or phillipine crocodiles to be in the precinct (this is based off of the idea that being big ticket species you would expect them to be featured at least once in promotional material and at least on the website) lace monitors seem to be the replacement for komodos. I am going on Saturday so I will send through a complete species list then as well as post some pics.
Click to expand...
That's a shame to hear, although it's possible they may feature later on; in the case of the Komodo's, ARP's clutch may not all be ready to disperse yet to other collections so this may be why Taronga hasn't acquired Komodo's yet.

I too was skeptical around Philippine Crocodiles, especially considering Melbourne has yet to acquire another female following Isobella's death back in 2017. You'd assume the two zoos would work together on a regional breeding program for this species. Perhaps this is also something planned for down the line, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they weren't.
 
Hhoops31 said:
ARC is now officially open!!! No complete species list has been posted however from socials and the zoo’s website I don’t believe komodos or phillipine crocodiles to be in the precinct (this is based off of the idea that being big ticket species you would expect them to be featured at least once in promotional material and at least on the website) lace monitors seem to be the replacement for komodos. I am going on Saturday so I will send through a complete species list then as well as post some pics.
Click to expand...
Jambo said:
That's a shame to hear, although it's possible they may feature later on; in the case of the Komodo's, ARP's clutch may not all be ready to disperse yet to other collections so this may be why Taronga hasn't acquired Komodo's yet.

I too was skeptical around Philippine Crocodiles, especially considering Melbourne has yet to acquire another female following Isobella's death back in 2017. You'd assume the two zoos would work together on a regional breeding program for this species. Perhaps this is also something planned for down the line, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they weren't.
Click to expand...

I agree it appears Komodo dragon and Philippine crocodile are not on display based on this write up (which notably omits them):

| Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Discover Taronga Zoo Sydney’s brand-new Amphibian and Reptile experience, ARC. Getup close to 42 creatures that jump, slither and crawl, like the Tuatara, Alligator Snapping Turtle, the Inland Taipan and the largest reticulated Python in Australia.

ARC will feature six zones:

This brand-new experience will take you on a journey through six immersive zones, transporting you from the frosty alpines to the scorching desert and to many other habitats in-between.
 
Are we honestly surprised that Taronga have once again built something that is under whelming species wise ?

It'll be interesting to see once it is all up and going, if the Komodo's and Philippine crocs make it. How many reptile species it will hold compared to the old serpentaria, as originally it was flagged as an expansion. But given there trend it will likely have less.
 
Tiger91 said:
Are we honestly surprised that Taronga have once again built something that is under whelming species wise ?

It'll be interesting to see once it is all up and going, if the Komodo's and Philippine crocs make it. How many reptile species it will hold compared to the old serpentaria, as originally it was flagged as an expansion. But given there trend it will likely have less.
Click to expand...

I feel like every reptile house should have a star of the show so to speak. Melbourne Zoo has Philippine crocodile; Serpentaria had Komodo dragon etc.

I thought the original plan to exhibit a juvenile Komodo dragon in ARC was a bold move. I’m sure everyone within this forum would be excited to see a juvenile Komodo dragon (specifically the first successful clutch bred in an Australian zoo); but for the first few years until maturity is attained, the general public would be no more impressed than they would with a Lace monitor.

Either way, I hope there are plans underway for Komodo dragons, be they juvenile or adult!
 
Zoofan15 said:
I feel like every reptile house should have a star of the show so to speak. Melbourne Zoo has Philippine crocodile; Serpentaria had Komodo dragon etc.

I thought the original plan to exhibit a juvenile Komodo dragon in ARC was a bold move. I’m sure everyone within this forum would be excited to see a juvenile Komodo dragon (specifically the first successful clutch bred in an Australian zoo); but for the first few years until maturity is attained, the general public would be no more impressed than they would with a Lace monitor.

Either way, I hope there are plans underway for Komodo dragons, be they juvenile or adult!
Click to expand...
Tiger91 said:
Are we honestly surprised that Taronga have once again built something that is under whelming species wise ?

It'll be interesting to see once it is all up and going, if the Komodo's and Philippine crocs make it. How many reptile species it will hold compared to the old serpentaria, as originally it was flagged as an expansion. But given there trend it will likely have less.
Click to expand...
As much as I love phillipine crocs and komodos and wish they were in included I really don’t think it’s fair to hate on Taronga for not having them. The fact they were even put in the first draft of the plans shows that taronga does care about having new exciting species. And in the case of the Phillipine crocodile I heavily suspect that is was architectural constraints that stopped their inclusion otherwise they would of put the freshwater croc in the enclosure.

When it comes to a loss of species there is only an 8 species difference between arc and serpentina (once construction begun) with the most of the species going being ones Taronga got from customs a while ago meaning that their numbers were dwindling and they couldn’t properly sustain a population as it’s illegal for them to breed the ones they do have or import more.
 
Hhoops31 said:
As much as I love phillipine crocs and komodos and wish they were in included I really don’t think it’s fair to hate on Taronga for not having them. The fact they were even put in the first draft of the plans shows that taronga does care about having new exciting species. And in the case of the Phillipine crocodile I heavily suspect that is was architectural constraints that stopped their inclusion otherwise they would of put the freshwater croc in the enclosure.

When it comes to a loss of species there is only an 8 species difference between arc and serpentina (once construction begun) with the most of the species going being ones Taronga got from customs a while ago meaning that their numbers were dwindling and they couldn’t properly sustain a population as it’s illegal for them to breed the ones they do have or import more.
Click to expand...

No hate/judgement on Taronga from me. I have every confidence that ARC will prove a popular complex; but I strongly agree with everyone who’s mentioned it that it would be further enhanced by a species like Komodo dragon or Philippine crocodile.

Tuka remains one of Taronga’s most iconic animals. I struggle to imagine a skink or turtle beguiling the crowds to that degree.
 
Zoofan15 said:
No hate/judgement on Taronga from me. I have every confidence that ARC will prove a popular complex; but I strongly agree with everyone who’s mentioned it that it would be further enhanced by a species like Komodo dragon or Philippine crocodile.

Tuka remains one of Taronga’s most iconic animals. I struggle to imagine a skink or turtle beguiling the crowds to that degree.
Click to expand...
Yeh no I didn’t mean to reply your post sorry, and of course having those species would enhance it, I do think that Fred the alligator snapping turtle will be very popular amongst reptile enthusiast guests though.
 
Just coming back from Taronga now and arc is honestly incredible and it it turns out once the chameleon and green tree monitor arrive arc will actually only have 2 less species that serpentina had (48/50). Fred the alligator snapping turtle is a behemoth of a turtle and will definitely be a crowd favourite. The enclosures are beautifully designed and far larger than serpentinas. It’s also really nice to see corroboree frogs in a proper enclosure.
 
Last edited:
Hhoops31 said:
Just coming back from Taronga now and arc is honestly incredible and it it turns out once the chameleon and green tree monitor arrive arc will actually only have 2 less species that serpentina had (48/50). Fred the alligator snapping turtle is a behemoth of a turtle and will definitely be a crowd favourite. The enclosures are beautifully designed and far larger than serpentinas. It’s also really nice to see corroboree frogs in a proper enclosure.
Click to expand...

Could you provide a species list by exhibit?
 
OskarGC said:
Could you provide a species list by exhibit?
Click to expand...
I have a list but not by exhibit:
1. Boa constrictor
2. Enlongated tortoise
3. Chinese three striped box turtle
4. Boyds forest dragon
5. White lipped tree frog
6. Green python
7. Scrub python
8. Monocled cobra
9. Reticulated python
10. Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
11. Corn snake
12. Tuatara
13. Eastern dwarf tree frog
14. Red-eyed tree frog
15. Centralian knob tailed gecko
16. Pgymy python
17. Southern corroboree frog
18. Canberra grassland earless dragon
19. Yellow spotted bell frog
20. Booroolong frog
21. Rhinoceros iguana
22. Inland taipan
23. Slaters skink
24. Centralian carpet python
25. Eastern blue tounge lizard
26. Frilled lizard
27. Black headed python
28. Central netted dragon
29. Shingleback lizard
30. Rusty desert monitor
31. Eastern pilbara spiny-tailed skink
32. Red-barred dragon
33. Gila monster
34. Scheltopusik
35. Alligator snapping turtle
36. Fijian crested iguana
37. Central american eyelash viper
38. Plumed basilisk
39. Mary river turtle
40. Mertens water monitor
41. Lace monitor
42. Red bellied black snake
43. Common death adder
44. Broad headed snake
45. Bellinger river turtle
46. Tiger snake
Upcoming: veiled chameleon, green tree monitor
 
Hhoops31 said:
Just coming back from Taronga now and arc is honestly incredible and it it turns out once the chameleon and green tree monitor arrive arc will actually only have 2 less species that serpentina had (48/50). Fred the alligator snapping turtle is a behemoth of a turtle and will definitely be a crowd favourite. The enclosures are beautifully designed and far larger than serpentinas. It’s also really nice to see corroboree frogs in a proper enclosure.
Click to expand...

It's good to see that im wrong and the species numbers are the same!
I had no doubt the facilities and buildings/exhibits would be fantastic. Taronga usually does a fantastic job at exhibit design (they would want to with the money they get/spend). But it is a running theme with them to reduce species. At some point they have to remember they are a zoo.
 
Tiger91 said:
But it is a running theme with them to reduce species.
Click to expand...
For larger species perhaps, but there's really no reason to with reptiles and amphibians. Unless they went towards building a smaller reptile complex there wouldn't be much justification for this, especially when they just had to move all their current species across (and add a few new species) to a newer and larger complex.
 
Hhoops31 said:
Upcoming: veiled chameleon, green tree monitor
Click to expand...
Thanks for the list; this development looks excellent. Also look out for Northern Red-faced Turtles, Emydura victoriae as well in the coming visits – a new species for Taronga. If anyone of the Sydney regulars could find out what happened to the River Cooters or even the Star Tortoises that would be great.
 
WhistlingKite24 said:
Thanks for the list; this development looks excellent. Also look out for Northern Red-faced Turtles, Emydura victoriae as well in the coming visits – a new species for Taronga. If anyone of the Sydney regulars could find out what happened to the River Cooters or even the Star Tortoises that would be great.
Click to expand...
The river cooters are most definitely a case of them not having a large enough population to bother building for them as well as not having a reliable way to restock. Not sure about the star tortoises though. And the new turtle species is exciting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top