Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

[Osedax]

I much prefer this format (assuming it continues for all episodes) of one topic per episode. It’s a chance to go in depth into a topic versus the more superficial and repetitive format these zoo series often take of seven minutes dedicated to wildlife rescue (usually a marine animal with something stuck in is gullet); seven minutes dedicated to something mainstream (i.e. megafauna); and seven minutes dedicated to either conservation work or something they consider outside the box (recycling, browse collection etc).

Just watched the episode. Though it was mainly focussed on the elephants (specifically on Pak Boon's eye surgery), there was also a smaller story about the horticulture team collecting browse from the new Western Sydney Airport. The ending, with the elephants leaving for Monarto, was very well done in my opinion.

 

[Zoofan15]

It’s a chance to go in depth into a topic versus the more superficial and repetitive format these zoo series often take of seven minutes dedicated to wildlife rescue (usually a marine animal with something stuck in is gullet); seven minutes dedicated to something mainstream (i.e. megafauna); and seven minutes dedicated to either conservation work or something they consider outside the box (recycling, browse collection etc).

Though it was mainly focussed on the elephants (specifically on Pak Boon's eye surgery), there was also a smaller story about the horticulture team collecting browse from the new Western Sydney Airport.

Called it! Now we’ve had the browse collection episode, a segment about a sea turtle that swallowed a fish hook is imminent.

Glad the elephants got a good send off at least. I’ll miss seeing them next time I visit the zoo, but it’ll be exciting to have Hari the Indian rhinoceros on site soon.

 

[Jambo]

Elephant paddock redevelopment:

The Asian water buffalo are named Kahn, Sahasi, and Babu:

From socials:

In the six months since their [the elephants’] departure, our teams have been hard at work transforming their former habitat into Rhino Reserve, set to open this summer.

It will be home to Kahn, Sahasi, and Babu—a playful trio of Asian Water Buffalo and Hari, a four-year-old Greater One-horned Rhino.

Taronga has a decent size breeding group - so I'd imagine these guys are younger males born into that breeding group that have been separated out.

I'm also told per a friend that new mock rock has been installed around the former elephant enclosure. It'll be interesting to see exactly where this is in the exhibit - but this was only recently completed, hence Hari's delayed arrival.

The latest I've heard is that Hari is still on schedule to arrive before this Christmas.

 

[steveroberts]

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for sharing @steveroberts. I agree with @Osedax that it was a nice send off to the elephants and bar the unnecessary addition of the browse collection storyline, it was a well formatted episode that focussed largely on one topic. Let’s hope they keep this going.

It’ll be interesting to see what other events the series cover, but obvious storylines include:

Births of Australian sea lion pup (Bair) and New Zealand fur seal pup (Pea).

Hatching of a Fiordland crested penguin.

Export of Sumatran tiger (Mawar) to the United States.

Transfer of female gorillas (Frala, Mbeli and Johari) to Melbourne Zoo.

Largest ever Corroboree frog release.

The transfer out of the red pandas may also get a mention (perhaps a good story to supplement the tiger export); as well as something on developments within the hierarchy of the chimpanzee community.

 

[Small Mammal Fan]

Thank you to all who had advised me on my first visit to Taronga! I had a great time.
The highlight was my first time seeing Aussie species like platypus (even if impossible to photograph), dingo, quoll, greater Bilby, Tasmanian devil, gliders, and quokka. Fiordland penguins and seals and sea lions were great too. Also my first time seeing sun bear not that they are necessarily difficult to see in the UK. The wild life in the zoo was also great seeing the brush turkeys, water dragons, ibis, kookaburra, before we got used to seeing them all everywhere lol. The zoo is great and we had an amazing day. Tree kangaroo and fishing cat were no shows. We somehow missed Aussie pelicans, koala enclosure on the map near the entrance, red panda and leaf monkeys. I do not think that i saw the long beaked echidna, as there was not one in the nocturnal house, and the ones in with koala and the enclosure in the farm area were both signed at short-beaked echidna.

 

[Zoofan15]

I’m

Thank you to all who had advised me on my first visit to Taronga! I had a great time.
The highlight was my first time seeing Aussie species like platypus (even if impossible to photograph), dingo, quoll, greater Bilby, Tasmanian devil, gliders, and quokka. Fiordland penguins and seals and sea lions were great too. Also my first time seeing sun bear not that they are necessarily difficult to see in the UK. The wild life in the zoo was also great seeing the brush turkeys, water dragons, ibis, kookaburra, before we got used to seeing them all everywhere lol. The zoo is great and we had an amazing day. Tree kangaroo and fishing cat were no shows. We somehow missed Aussie pelicans, koala enclosure on the map near the entrance, red panda and leaf monkeys. I do not think that i saw the long beaked echidna, as there was not one in the nocturnal house, and the ones in with koala and the enclosure in the farm area were both signed at short-beaked echidna.

I’m glad you had an enjoyable first visit to Taronga Zoo.

The Eastern long-beaked echidna should have been in a long exhibit to the right in the nocturnal house, along with Rufous bettong.

The red pandas are easy to miss as most people go straight ahead towards the pinnipeds and penguins instead of going left to see the red panda exhibits. They’re a good ‘We’ve got 20 minutes until the ferry comes, let’s go and see the red pandas’ thing to do at the end of the day.

Did you see the Harbour View Lawns? If so, I’m guessing you took the pathway around the Rainforest trail, missing the langurs (and possibly the Palm Aviary).

 

[Small Mammal Fan]

Thank you. I did not notice any exhibits on the right of the nocturnal house, which exhibit are they opposite please? I was distracted by platypus and quoll and Bilby.
I have seen many red panda so was not worried.
We might have missed the lawn, so missing the leaf monkeys/ langurs and palm aviary. What species are in the palm aviary please? How did we miss the pelicans?
We did see all other animals in that area tho: otters, hippos, bongo, condor etc.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thank you. I did not notice any exhibits on the right of the nocturnal house, which exhibit are they opposite please? I was distracted by platypus and quoll and Bilby.
I have seen many red panda so was not worried.
We might have missed the lawn, so missing the leaf monkeys/ langurs and palm aviary. What species are in the palm aviary please? How did we miss the pelicans?
We did see all other animals in that area tho: otters, hippos, bongo, condor etc.

The Eastern long-beaked echidna exhibit is within the nocturnal house (on the right hand side of the pathway). If memory serves me correct, it wasn’t far from the exit doors.

Like you, I’ve seen numerous Nepalese red pandas. The main attraction of Taronga’s red pandas in my opinion is their exhibits, which are former bear pits.

Regarding missing the pelicans, I assume after seeing the pinnipeds and penguins, you went straight up to the former elephant paddocks. Taronga is a fantastic zoo, but the layout is complicated compared to other zoos in the region like Hamilton (one big loop); or Auckland and Melbourne (multiple looped trails). It’s easy to miss things and I did a lot of doubling back on my first visit last year.

I’ll need to check the notes from my last visit re. what’s currently in the Palm Aviary, though @OskarGC provided this species list from June 2023 for faster reference:

Red-Whiskered Bulbul, Metallic Starling, Chestnut Munia, Pigeons (Nicobar, Pied Imperial-), Doves (Luzon Bleeding-Heart, White-Breasted Ground-), Fruit-Doves (Superb, Wompoo), Golden Pheasant, Double-Eyed Fig-Parrot, Regent Bowerbird, White-Rumped Shama, Forest Kingfisher, King Quail, Noisy Pitta

 

[Osedax]

Thank you to all who had advised me on my first visit to Taronga! I had a great time.
The highlight was my first time seeing Aussie species like platypus (even if impossible to photograph), dingo, quoll, greater Bilby, Tasmanian devil, gliders, and quokka. Fiordland penguins and seals and sea lions were great too. Also my first time seeing sun bear not that they are necessarily difficult to see in the UK. The wild life in the zoo was also great seeing the brush turkeys, water dragons, ibis, kookaburra, before we got used to seeing them all everywhere lol. The zoo is great and we had an amazing day. Tree kangaroo and fishing cat were no shows. We somehow missed Aussie pelicans, koala enclosure on the map near the entrance, red panda and leaf monkeys. I do not think that i saw the long beaked echidna, as there was not one in the nocturnal house, and the ones in with koala and the enclosure in the farm area were both signed at short-beaked echidna.

The Eastern long-beaked echidna should have been in a long exhibit to the right in the nocturnal house, along with Rufous bettong.

The Eastern long-beaked echidna exhibit is within the nocturnal house (on the right hand side of the pathway). If memory serves me correct, it wasn’t far from the exit doors

Glad to hear your visit went well @Small Mammal Fan!
JR (the long-beaked echidna) is, as Zoofan described, in a long open-topped exhibit on the right hand side of the path, near the exit of Nguwing Nura, though mixed with Long-nosed Potoroos rather than Rufous Bettong. This exhibit is opposite the glider/bettong exhibit. However, JR was recently kept off display in the Tassie Devil house for a bit (not sure why), so if you visited before 29/10, that’s where he would have been.

What species are in the palm aviary please?

Red-Whiskered Bulbul, Metallic Starling, Chestnut Munia, Pigeons (Nicobar, Pied Imperial-), Doves (Luzon Bleeding-Heart, White-Breasted Ground-), Fruit-Doves (Superb, Wompoo), Golden Pheasant, Double-Eyed Fig-Parrot, Regent Bowerbird, White-Rumped Shama, Forest Kingfisher, King Quail, Noisy Pitta

The Golden Pheasant has been replaced by a pair of Lady Amherst Pheasants. I haven’t seen the bowerbird, kingfisher or pitta in here for quite a while, but other than that this list should still be mostly accurate.

How did we miss the pelicans?

The pelicans are currently off display as their exhibit undergoes maintenance.


Now for today’s updates:
- There is new Indian/Nepalese-themed signage in the Rainforest Trail, ready for the opening of the Rhino Reserve.


- The Egyptian Goose in the first (former) pygmy hippo exhibit was off display, and was replaced by a pair of Ruddy Shelducks. I hope nothing has happened to the goose, though I note that it was still signed. I didn’t see the pair of Ruddy Shelducks in with the Capybaras, so it is possible that these are the same ones. I don’t even know if they still have the other pair that used to be mixed with the pygmy hippos in the second (current) exhibit.
- There is a new sign at the Main Entrance honouring Sir Edward Hallstrom:


- There are new plants in Erkundu (bongo)’s exhibit, to give him more privacy.

Some new statues / art installations are being installed in GSO, on the path down from penguins to Seal Cove. Photos attached.

- Another similar installation that I must have missed last time was this one of a turtle (made from various plastic objects), which has replaced the leatherback that used to be near the water play area in GSO.


- There is new signage in the Wetlands Aviary. The most interesting thing about it is that it now signs the Sawshell Turtle that has lived in the aviary for a while but is almost impossible to see, and that the new signage recognises the split of the Torresian Imperial Pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa) from the Pied Imperial Pigeon (D. bicolor). Royal Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Wandering Whistling Duck, Koi, Eastern Whipbird, Wompoo Fruit Dove and White-rumpled Shama have received new signs as well.


- Konira the Andean Condor has been undergoing training by her trainer Matthew Kettle to be flown in the Free Flight Birds more regularly than in the past.

 

[Steve Robinson]

There is a new sign at the Main Entrance honouring Sir Edward Hallstrom:

A bit overdue !

A pity that it doesn't give the dates of his tenure - it could be read by some that he is still there.

Nice reflection of yourself on the plaque!

 

[Zoofan15]

A bit overdue !

A pity that it doesn't give the dates of his tenure - it could be read by some that he is still there.

Nice reflection of yourself on the plaque!

Agreed. I struggle to pin-point any one person who had a greater influence on the development of Taronga Zoo than Sir Edward Hallstrom. In 1947 alone, he donated 1,649 birds and animals to the zoo; and he donated its first gorilla and its new enclosure, in 1959.

On a related note, it surprises me that Taronga have yet to honour Darill Clements with a plaque or similar. She was employed by Taronga Zoo as a Public Relations Assistant in 1975, later becoming the zoo’s Public Relations Manager until her retirement in 2000. She passed away in 2013. Darill maintained an active interest in the zoo following her retirement, supporting the zoo through donations; and making a pledge to include Taronga Zoo in her will. She was also known for being the author of Postcards from the Zoo (2002), based on her career at Taronga. It would be nice if Taronga honoured her significant contribution to the zoo in some way, even it was just a simple plaque outside one of the exhibits.

 

[Zoofan15]

Who’s Who in The Zoo:

Plot synopsis of tomorrow’s episode:

Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo?: Nov 11 | TV Tonight

At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, it’s a high-stakes week for the veterinary team. Senior Sumatran tigers Satu and Sakti are both due for critical health checks.

First up is 18-year-old Satu, and while his dental exam is routine, the aged tiger’s response to anaesthesia is causing serious concern. Sakti’s examination proves even more complicated. His teeth show severe damage, and the team has just a three-hour window to get the job done. Sakti’s blood potassium levels rise dangerously high during the procedure, adding pressure to the already high-stakes surgery. Just as he’s being returned back to his den, the tiger goes into cardiac arrest, with the team trying desperately to revive him.

Back at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Carlos the capybara is also in his advanced years, so like the tigers, he’s also due for a full check-up. For Darcey, his keeper, it’s the first time she’s given this capybara an injection, but the team is relying on a gentle hand- injection to keep him calm.

Meanwhile, in Sydney bushland, Horticulturist Laura is on the hunt for 10,000 termites to help feed Taronga’s echidnas. It’s a large number, but Laura has devised a unique technique she’s about to put to the test.

 

[Tiger91]

Who’s Who in The Zoo:

Plot synopsis of tomorrow’s episode:

Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo?: Nov 11 | TV Tonight

At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, it’s a high-stakes week for the veterinary team. Senior Sumatran tigers Satu and Sakti are both due for critical health checks.

First up is 18-year-old Satu, and while his dental exam is routine, the aged tiger’s response to anaesthesia is causing serious concern. Sakti’s examination proves even more complicated. His teeth show severe damage, and the team has just a three-hour window to get the job done. Sakti’s blood potassium levels rise dangerously high during the procedure, adding pressure to the already high-stakes surgery. Just as he’s being returned back to his den, the tiger goes into cardiac arrest, with the team trying desperately to revive him.
.

I will be surprised if we see Sakti still alive within the year. Being hyperkalemic to the level of cardia arrest probably wasn't the drugs. Either they did extensive tissue damage trying to fix his teeth/had to clean up extensive damage. Or more likely he already had high levels, which does not bode well for longevity.

 

[Zoofan15]

I will be surprised if we see Sakti still alive within the year. Being hyperkalemic to the level of cardia arrest probably wasn't the drugs. Either they did extensive tissue damage trying to fix his teeth/had to clean up extensive damage. Or more likely he already had high levels, which does not bode well for longevity.

One of the leading causes of hyperkalemia is kidney disease, which is highly prevalent in middle aged and elderly felids. Sakti is now 14 years old; and while his parents both lived to 18 years of age, many tigers from his extended family have died in their mid-teens; with a handful conversely reaching their 20’s.

It appears Taronga Zoo are no longer exporting their young male tiger to the United States, so it’s my assumption the future of their breeding programme will revolve around him. The passing of any of Dubbo’s three ageing tigers will likely be followed by the transfer of any of Taronga’s surplus (Kartika, Kembali, Clarence and Tengah) deemed healthy enough for relocation. Taronga Zoo have five exhibits and will need at least 1-2 freed up before they can acquire a new female and breed.

 

[Tiger91]

One of the leading causes of hyperkalemia is kidney disease, which is highly prevalent in middle aged and elderly felids. Sakti is now 14 years old; and while his parents both lived to 18 years of age, many tigers from his extended family have died in their mid-teens; with a handful conversely reaching their 20’s.

It appears Taronga Zoo are no longer exporting their young male tiger to the United States, so it’s my assumption the future of their breeding programme will revolve around him. The passing of any of Dubbo’s three ageing tigers will likely be followed by the transfer of any of Taronga’s surplus (Kartika, Kembali, Clarence and Tengah) deemed healthy enough for relocation. Taronga Zoo have five exhibits and will need at least 1-2 freed up before they can acquire a new female and breed.

Do we know for sure the export is cancelled or just put on the back burner?
With the news above within a fews years, WPZ will be in need of tigers. Kartika and Clarence appear to tolerate each other well. I wouldn't be surprised to see taronga keep them, and bring in a mate for either of there remaining offspring. While sending the other plus kembali to WPZ. The exhibit is great at Taronga, but part of what makes it great is the ability to see multiple tigers easily. To keep that effect they need to keep there numbers up.

That will give them 4 tigers over 5 exhibits, with the ability to breed and house offspring if needed. Buy the time the next lot of cubs are at dispersal WPZ may even have more space available, as of memory they have 3 elderly tigers and capacity for more, especially if they are able to be cohesively kept.

 

[Zoofan15]

Do we know for sure the export is cancelled or just put on the back burner?
With the news above within a fews years, WPZ will be in need of tigers. Kartika and Clarence appear to tolerate each other well. I wouldn't be surprised to see taronga keep them, and bring in a mate for either of there remaining offspring. While sending the other plus kembali to WPZ. The exhibit is great at Taronga, but part of what makes it great is the ability to see multiple tigers easily. To keep that effect they need to keep there numbers up.

That will give them 4 tigers over 5 exhibits, with the ability to breed and house offspring if needed. Buy the time the next lot of cubs are at dispersal WPZ may even have more space available, as of memory they have 3 elderly tigers and capacity for more, especially if they are able to be cohesively kept.

It’s not been publicly confirmed, but the plan was for Pemanah to go to the United States with Mawar, who left without him. In the time that’s passed since then, it’s been confirmed that 1.1 will now be sent from Adelaide Zoo, which has presumably replaced the male Taronga intended to send.

Clarence and Kartika don’t currently live together and then cohabiting long term isn’t something the zoo can rely on. They’ll need an exhibit for each half of the breeding pair; and an exhibit for their cubs once. That leave two exhibits free for the four surplus tigers. Two therefore need to transfer out. Dubbo is the obvious destination, but it’s a good opportunity to provide another zoo with ageing tigers with a replacement when their’s passes e.g. Tasmania, Darling Downs Zoo etc.

 

[Jambo]

Do we know for sure the export is cancelled or just put on the back burner?

As of the present time, there's no rec for him to transfer out. So it seems it's been cancelled.

 

[steveroberts]

Who’s Who in The Zoo:

Plot synopsis of tomorrow’s episode:

Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo?: Nov 11 | TV Tonight

At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, it’s a high-stakes week for the veterinary team. Senior Sumatran tigers Satu and Sakti are both due for critical health checks.

First up is 18-year-old Satu, and while his dental exam is routine, the aged tiger’s response to anaesthesia is causing serious concern. Sakti’s examination proves even more complicated. His teeth show severe damage, and the team has just a three-hour window to get the job done. Sakti’s blood potassium levels rise dangerously high during the procedure, adding pressure to the already high-stakes surgery. Just as he’s being returned back to his den, the tiger goes into cardiac arrest, with the team trying desperately to revive him.

Back at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Carlos the capybara is also in his advanced years, so like the tigers, he’s also due for a full check-up. For Darcey, his keeper, it’s the first time she’s given this capybara an injection, but the team is relying on a gentle hand- injection to keep him calm.

Meanwhile, in Sydney bushland, Horticulturist Laura is on the hunt for 10,000 termites to help feed Taronga’s echidnas. It’s a large number, but Laura has devised a unique technique she’s about to put to the test.

 

[Zoofan15]

Thanks for sharing @steveroberts.

I thought the Sumatran tiger content was excellent. Health checks are a common topic on these sorts of shows, but what I liked was how they covered health checks of two ageing male tigers. Far from being repetitive, it was a fascinating opportunity to compare and contrast the two procedures. I liked how they shared readings for the first tiger, with a discussion on the implications should those levels rise; which then gave context when they did for the second tiger.

The tertiary story (collecting termites) didn’t interest me and I found myself skipping this segment. It’s clear the format for this series is primary story, secondary story and tertiary story. Last week’s tertiary story was browse collection; and I’m in no doubt recycling/composting dung is just around the coroner. If they’re so keen to show us the inner workings of a zoo, why is there never a segment on studbook keeping and/or ZIMS?

A number of friends have complained to me about the narration/commentary and I’m not a fan either. The ‘jokes’ are cringeable, unnecessary and detract from what is otherwise an informative series.

Also why did the episode end with a ‘joke’ about the tigers not going anywhere near a dentist any time soon? The second tiger procedure literally ended with a conversation about how he’d have to go back in the very near future so they could finish what they’d started.