Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

How long timewise is their journey?

The journey is 14 hours by car; but expected to take around 20 hours according to this source (factoring in stops etc):

Taronga Zoo's elephants pack their trunks and say goodbye to Sydney as new life in SA awaits - ABC News

It's early morning, and before the zoo gates open to throngs of school holiday visitors, keepers are busy helping Asian elephant Tang Mo get used to the crate that she'll soon be travelling more than 20 hours in to her new home in South Australia.

 

[Swanson02]

Any updates on whether the girls have left ?

 

[Zoofan15]

Any updates on whether the girls have left ?

Nothing today.

Zoos SA were very proactive in covering the transit of Burma and Permai respectively, so I’d expect the updates to start with them; in conjunction with a post from Taronga Zoo announcing the cows have left the building (probably 2-3 hours after they’ve departed).

Since Taronga said late April, that really just leaves tomorrow and the next day.

 

[Zorro]

Nothing today.

Zoos SA were very proactive in covering the transit of Burma and Permai respectively, so I’d expect the updates to start with them; in conjunction with a post from Taronga Zoo announcing the cows have left the building (probably 2-3 hours after they’ve departed).

Since Taronga said late April, that really just leaves tomorrow and the next day.

This will be very interesting to follow but for me the move of Putra Mas even more so, fingers crossed all goes well with him!

 

[Zoofan15]

This will be very interesting to follow but for me the move of Putra Mas even more so, fingers crossed all goes well with him!

I’m predicting a non-eventful transfer of the Taronga cows. Both have excelled at crate training and staff have mentioned their previous experience travelling in crates (via their import into Australia), which they believe will stand them in good stead.

Putra Mas hasn’t moved anywhere since he came to Australia as a three year old, so who knows how that will go!

 

[Jambo]

Any updates on whether the girls have left ?

Nothing today.

Zoos SA were very proactive in covering the transit of Burma and Permai respectively, so I’d expect the updates to start with them; in conjunction with a post from Taronga Zoo announcing the cows have left the building (probably 2-3 hours after they’ve departed).

Since Taronga said late April, that really just leaves tomorrow and the next day.

This will be very interesting to follow but for me the move of Putra Mas even more so, fingers crossed all goes well with him!

I wouldn't be surprised if they did indeed leave this morning. Taronga has never struck me as a facility that big on socials; Zoos Vic are similar and they didn't announce their elephant moves until days after they arrived at Werribee!

The transfer will take around about 20 hours. So if they did leave this morning, it's likely they're now about half way through their journey. I guess we'll find out tomorrow, or in the coming days!

 

[Zoofan15]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did indeed leave this morning. Taronga has never struck me as a facility that big on socials; Zoos Vic are similar and they didn't announce their elephant moves until days after they arrived!

The transfer will take around about 20 hours. So if they did leave this morning, it's likely they're now about half way through their journey. I guess we'll find out tomorrow, or in the coming days!

It’s entirely possible they left this morning.

One thing I’ve noticed about Taronga of late is how news events are reported on socials a day or more after they’ve been reported in the media - the Australian sea lion pup birth announcement last month being one of many examples.

 

[Zorro]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did indeed leave this morning. Taronga has never struck me as a facility that big on socials; Zoos Vic are similar and they didn't announce their elephant moves until days after they arrived at Werribee!

The transfer will take around about 20 hours. So if they did leave this morning, it's likely they're now about half way through their journey. I guess we'll find out tomorrow, or in the coming days!

Very wise of them considering how some of the animal activists are with elephants!

 

[Zoofan15]

Very wise of them considering how some of the animal activists are with elephants!

Plus the logistics of getting the elephants out of Sydney without half the city tipping up ready to see an elephant driving past.

 

[Zorro]

Plus the logistics of getting the elephants out of Sydney without half the city tipping up ready to see an elephant driving past.

I hope they both had their "trunks" packed the day before!

 

[Zoofan15]

Australian sea lion pup named Bair:

It seems there was some confusion with the sea lion pup initially reported to be called ‘Bear.’

It is instead spelt ‘Bair’ and a reference to the beach her wild born mother was rescued from.

 

[Abbey]

Australian sea lion pup named Bair:

It seems there was some confusion with the sea lion pup initially reported to be called ‘Bear.’

It is instead spelt ‘Bair’ and a reference to the beach her wild born mother was rescued from.

Good to have confirmation from the zoo of the name. By the sounds of things, the initial report was of the name being revealed verbally, at the seal presentation, so it makes sense to me that the spelling like the animal originally would have been assumed. While many people will probably still think that, the name does serve as a fitting tribute to Tarni's wild heritage.

 

[Zoofan15]

Good to have confirmation from the zoo of the name. By the sounds of things, the initial report was of the name being revealed verbally, at the seal presentation, so it makes sense to me that the spelling like the animal originally would have been assumed. While many people will probably still think that, the name does serve as a fitting tribute to Tarni's wild heritage.

That sounds likely - a perfectly easy mistake to make.

I appreciate the thought Taronga Zoo put into naming their pinnipeds - with other examples being Eve (reference to her Christmas Eve DOB); Bondi (reference to rescue location); Amalie (reference to her grandfather’s name); and Birubi (reference to Southern Cross constellation).

 

[Jambo]

Australian sea lion pup named Bair:

It seems there was some confusion with the sea lion pup initially reported to be called ‘Bear.’

It is instead spelt ‘Bair’ and a reference to the beach her wild born mother was rescued from.

Tarni's from a quite well known wild population that often frequent the waters in 'Bairds bay' in South Australia. So that's where the name 'Bair' comes from.

I too appreciate Taronga's thinking when it comes to giving their seal pups names reflective of their origins and family history.

 

[Luke899]

This will be very interesting to follow but for me the move of Putra Mas even more so, fingers crossed all goes well with him!

If Putra Mas successfully makes it, he’ll make the girls a lot more comfortable and content. Something about a bull just makes cows feel more at home. Same with humans lol

 

[Zoofan15]

Pak Boon and Tang Mo have left the building:

From socials:

The trunks are all packed and the Eles have departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

After more than a year of planning and crate training, everything came together this morning. Both elephants voluntarily walked into their crates and had their ‘seatbelts’ fastened as their now practiced routine. The crates were then lifted via crane onto awaiting trucks and departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

We estimate the trip to take approximately 22 hours and anticipate arriving in SA on Wednesday 30 April. Tang Mo and Pak Boon are being accompanied by an expert team comprising of veterinarians and keepers who will monitor them closely throughout the journey.

 

[Jambo]

Pak Boon and Tang Mo have left the building:

From socials:

The trunks are all packed and the Eles have departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

After more than a year of planning and crate training, everything came together this morning. Both elephants voluntarily walked into their crates and had their ‘seatbelts’ fastened as their now practiced routine. The crates were then lifted via crane onto awaiting trucks and departed Taronga Zoo Sydney.

We estimate the trip to take approximately 22 hours and anticipate arriving in SA on Wednesday 30 April. Tang Mo and Pak Boon are being accompanied by an expert team comprising of veterinarians and keepers who will monitor them closely throughout the journey.

Good to hear they've left and everything went well with the move.

Rains been prevalent all day up in Sydney so I'm surprised they chose today, but looking at the rest of the week, they really didn't have many other options without further delaying the transfer. Looking at the weather it's clearing up in South Australia this evening so hopefully there won't be too much disruptions once they reach Monarto. They'll likely be arriving there early morning, hopefully just before peak hour traffic.

This move is especially significant as it marks the first time in 109 years that Taronga have not have elephants, since opening day back in October 1916. It's a sad end to the zoo's long, yet bright tenure with the species - however it will be exciting to have rhinos back.

 

[Luke899]

Good to hear they've left and everything went well with the move.

Rains been prevalent all day up in Sydney so I'm surprised they chose today, but looking at the rest of the week, they really didn't have many other options without further delaying the transfer. Looking at the weather it's clearing up in South Australia this evening so hopefully there won't be too much disruptions once they reach Monarto. They'll likely be arriving there early morning, hopefully just before peak hour traffic.

This move is especially significant as it marks the first time in 109 years that Taronga have not have elephants, since opening day back in October 1916. It's a sad end to the zoo's long, yet bright tenure with the species - however it will be exciting to have rhinos back.

Can assure you there’s no such thing as “peak hour traffic” near Monarto lol. The roads are very quiet with the exception of visitors to the park.

 

[Jambo]

Can assure you there’s no such thing as “peak hour traffic” near Monarto lol. The roads are very quiet with the exception of visitors to the park.

Perhaps not the best choice of wording . More so meant those heading into the city for work.

 

[Osedax]

Wow, I knew they were leaving at the end of April but I still can't quite fathom that I will never see elephants at Taronga again. I came to realise the last time I was there that I have taken them for granted all these years, often walking right past to get to "more interesting" animals. I'm so glad I got to enjoy a special moment with Pak Boon last Friday. She came up to the fence and looked me right in the eye, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking (although I personally have never worked with her, I think she may have recognised my uniform). That was the first time I've ever cried at a zoo. Then we were interrupted by a horde of screaming children, and she moved away.
I just can't imagine walking down that hill and not seeing them there and it will take a while to get used to.