Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

Yes, but I wonder if they would be able to source more Francois langur from home ranges or other south East Asian zoos that we could then import.

Though it may be easier for us to import from the US as they have a small population of them.

We’re part of the European programme, so that would be the most likely source. They have six holders.

North America have 15 holders, so are also a possibile source.
 
Yes, but I wonder if they would be able to source more Francois langur from home ranges or other south East Asian zoos that we could then import.

Though it may be easier for us to import from the US as they have a small population of them.
Previous imports conducted by Taronga have come from both Europe and Asia, so if we were to import, I'd imagine it would be from those two regions again.
 
That was the plan - but it seems they still intend to continue with Dusky Langurs going forward.

Spectacular. Hopefully they do import new ones!. It's a shame we phassed out so many for a complete lack of take up of the leaf variety. But having two species isnt only something regionally we could actually keep. It's better for variety as well. Both are nice species. While both can be imported.
 
The Dusky langurs are an ageing sibling trio, so I could see some potential interest from Adelaide in joining the Francois langur programme.
The masterplan seems to indicate otherwise but it would be good if they could join the Francois Langur program long term - any additional holders are welcomed when you consider the underwhelming amount of interest that has presented for this species regionally.
 
The masterplan seems to indicate otherwise but it would be good if they could join the Francois Langur program long term - any additional holders are welcomed when you consider the underwhelming amount of interest that has presented for this species regionally.

I’d take the masterplan with a pinch of salt in that it factors in Malayan tapir, which are on the way out. There’s little to no chance of Adelaide importing Dusky langur and as the sole holder (with ageing individuals), it’s really a matter of time.
 
- A lone Greater Bilby has been added to the Yellow-bellied Glider exhibit in Nguwing Nura. Not sure whether the Rufous Bettong and Short-beaked Echidnas formerly in that exhibit are still present, though the bettong is still signed.
Not sure about the Short-Beak but during my visit ~the start of Feb a keeper/volunteer had confirmed the bettong had passed away sadly.
 
New Zealand fur seal pup born:

How fantastic to have two pinniped pups born at Taronga at the same time!

From socials:

Introducing Pea, a 12-week-old Long-nosed fur seal pup born on 17 January 2025.

Pea’s parents are rescued seals Keke and Bondi, who both came through our Wildlife Hospital with significant injuries, who after prolonged treatments were assessed and found to be unsuitable for release back to the wild.

The little pup is currently tipping the scales at 6.6kg and has offically taken to dipping her flippers in the deep waters of Seal Bay.


Similar to our Australian sea lion pup at Seal Cove, little Pea is best spotted in the morning before she has bursts of energy, hauls out to suckle from mum, then recharges with a snooze in the sun.

Guests to the zoo can visit Pea’s 2-year-old brother, Kobe, at Taronga’s Seals for the Wild presentation, powered by @redenergyau running three times daily across NSW school holidays.
 
Great news!

This is Keke's fourth offspring;

0.1 Birbubi (2021)
1.0 Kobi (2022)
0.1 Eve (2023)
0.1 Pea (2025)

Taronga should now have eight New Zealand Fur Seals in total following this recent breeding success.

Taronga Zoo should have seven New Zealand fur seals.

One of the females (Birubi) transferred to Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium, which leaves them with:

1.0 Bondi
1.0 Abel
0.1 Ollie
0.1 Keke
1.0 Kobi
0.1 Eve
0.1 Pea
 
New Zealand fur seal pup born:

How fantastic to have two pinniped pups born at Taronga at the same time!

From socials:

Introducing Pea, a 12-week-old Long-nosed fur seal pup born on 17 January 2025.

Pea’s parents are rescued seals Keke and Bondi, who both came through our Wildlife Hospital with significant injuries, who after prolonged treatments were assessed and found to be unsuitable for release back to the wild.

The little pup is currently tipping the scales at 6.6kg and has offically taken to dipping her flippers in the deep waters of Seal Bay.


Similar to our Australian sea lion pup at Seal Cove, little Pea is best spotted in the morning before she has bursts of energy, hauls out to suckle from mum, then recharges with a snooze in the sun.

Guests to the zoo can visit Pea’s 2-year-old brother, Kobe, at Taronga’s Seals for the Wild presentation, powered by @redenergyau running three times daily across NSW school holidays.

This is very exciting, and another zoo animal with whom I share a birthday! To be honest, when I first saw this on social media, I thought it was a name announcement for Tarni's female pup (Australian sea lion), but you are indeed correct that it is wonderful to have two pinniped pups at the same time!
 
This is very exciting, and another zoo animal with whom I share a birthday! To be honest, when I first saw this on social media, I thought it was a name announcement for Tarni's female pup (Australian sea lion), but you are indeed correct that it is wonderful to have two pinniped pups at the same time!

These are the records of Australian sea lion pups born at Taronga, so as you can see two pups at the same time is a rare event indeed (Birubi and Amalie were the closest in recent years):

0.1 Katanya (1996) ? x Kasha
0.1 Kira (2001) Orson x Kasha
0.1 Nala (2009) Malie x Kira
1.0 Max (2015) Malie x Lexie
1.0 Moby 2017) Charlie x Lexie
1.0 Torre (2018) Charlie x Nala
0.1 Amalie (2020) Charlie x Nala
0.1 Unnamed (2025) Charlie x Tarni
 
Updates from today (some is elaboration on last week’s updates):

- The Green Pygmy Goose signage has finally been removed at the Finch Aviary (they have been gone for a few years now). Also, the Pied Stilts that replaced them are now signed (though unfortunately they are signed as Black-winged Stilts)

- Stubble Quails have been replaced by King Quails in the Finch Aviary.

- There are at least two bilbies in the YB Glider exhibit in Nguwing Nura.

- The entire Cotton-top Tamarin breeding group has been moved from their usual island to Moore Park Aviary temporarily.

- Not sure if I have already reported this, but there are now Wompoo Fruit Doves in the Wetlands Aviary.

- Seal pups: Pea (Long-nosed Fur Seal) was on display with Keke and Ollie in Seal Bay. Tarni’s pup (Australian Sea Lion) was on display with a fur seal in Seal Cove, and the two were playing together despite their difference in species.
 
Tarni’s pup (Australian Sea Lion) was on display with a fur seal in Seal Cove, and the two were playing together despite their difference in species.

Was that Eve (New Zealand fur seal)?

Eve was born December 2023, so is still a juvenile herself. Due to this size difference between the species, the sea lion pup probably wouldn’t be far behind in size!
 
Updates from today (some is elaboration on last week’s updates):

- The Green Pygmy Goose signage has finally been removed at the Finch Aviary (they have been gone for a few years now). Also, the Pied Stilts that replaced them are now signed (though unfortunately they are signed as Black-winged Stilts)

- Stubble Quails have been replaced by King Quails in the Finch Aviary.

- There are at least two bilbies in the YB Glider exhibit in Nguwing Nura.

- The entire Cotton-top Tamarin breeding group has been moved from their usual island to Moore Park Aviary temporarily.

- Not sure if I have already reported this, but there are now Wompoo Fruit Doves in the Wetlands Aviary.

- Seal pups: Pea (Long-nosed Fur Seal) was on display with Keke and Ollie in Seal Bay. Tarni’s pup (Australian Sea Lion) was on display with a fur seal in Seal Cove, and the two were playing together despite their difference in species.

Was that Eve (New Zealand fur seal)?

Eve was born December 2023, so is still a juvenile herself. Due to this size difference between the species, the sea lion pup probably wouldn’t be far behind in size!
It would have to be Eve, as the other three Fur Seal boys are all part of the Seal Show, so are kept up the top.
 
Not much to report from today:


- The Fijian Crested Iguanas are back on display.

- Confirmed today that the Eastern Pilbara Spiny-tail Skinks and Rusty Desert Monitor are still on display in their exhibit in the ARC, now mixed with Central Netted Dragons.EEB08434-258A-43CF-9507-7D1FA9249F3B.jpeg

- And finally a question: How many red pandas does the zoo currently have? I saw 4 today.
 

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