Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

Osedax said:
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.
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It’s the end of an era in every sense. Taronga Zoo has had elephants since it opened in 1916; and before that, at their Moore Park site.

Your feelings are something I can relate to as a regular visitor to Auckland Zoo, who had held elephants for close to a century when they phased out. It was indeed very strange visiting after Burma had departed, considering she was at the zoo before I was even born. I’m sure regular visitors to Perth and Melbourne can similarly relate, though the latter only has to travel 45 minutes to Werribee to see the herd they’ve grown up with.

Sydney will still have elephants via the bachelor bulls held at Sydney Zoo; but never again will they grace Taronga Zoo.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It’s the end of an era in every sense. Taronga Zoo has had elephants since it opened in 1916; and before that, at their Moore Park site.

Your feelings are something I can relate to as a regular visitor to Auckland Zoo, who had held elephants for close to a century when they phased out. It was indeed very strange visiting after Burma had departed, considering she was at the zoo before I was even born. I’m sure regular visitors to Perth and Melbourne can similarly relate, though the latter only has to travel 45 minutes to Werribee to see the herd they’ve grown up with.

Sydney will still have elephants via the bachelor bulls held at Sydney Zoo; but never again will they grace Taronga Zoo.
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Hopefully with the arrival of the young bull Indian rhino it may spur the zoo into finding him a mate I understand European zoos are at capacity holding them!
 
Zorro said:
Hopefully with the arrival of the young bull Indian rhino it may spur the zoo into finding him a mate I understand European zoos are at capacity holding them!
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I really hope so. Since the elephant exhibit is divisible into two paddocks, I hope the long term goal will be to import a female Indian rhinoceros and undertake breeding. The two paddocks will otherwise be useful in the short term in facilitating an introduction of Hari to the trio of Asian water buffalo.

Indian rhinoceros are an excellent rhinoceros species for city zoos, which are otherwise having to build increasingly larger exhibits to house small herds of Southern white rhinoceros (Auckland, Hamilton and Perth all being current examples).
 
Osedax said:
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.
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Thank you for sharing this @Osedax. Really echos my own thoughts. Although it's been over a decade now since I left Sydney, I can't even begin to think of Taronga without elephants. I remember when it was just Burma and Heman back in that little old paddock when the future of elephants at Taronga were looking bleak. Nevertheless, the breeding group came in from Asia and sparked a whole new chapter. I won't forget the excitement when Luk Chai was born. And the calves that followed (Mr Shuffles was a staff favourite!!!). It is sad to see them go but I am elated that they get to start new lives in Adelaide which they've already begun.
 
Trua said:
Thank you for sharing this @Osedax. Really echos my own thoughts. Although it's been over a decade now since I left Sydney, I can't even begin to think of Taronga without elephants. I remember when it was just Burma and Heman back in that little old paddock when the future of elephants at Taronga were looking bleak. Nevertheless, the breeding group came in from Asia and sparked a whole new chapter. I won't forget the excitement when Luk Chai was born. And the calves that followed (Mr Shuffles was a staff favourite!!!). It is sad to see them go but I am elated that they get to start new lives in Adelaide which they've already begun.
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Yes, it will be weird to see Taronga without elephants.

Knowing it would probably never happen, id love to see them do the original expansion of the elephant paddock down onto the lawns where the condors used to be and become a bull holding facility. They do actually have the room its whether they are willing to utilise it over cafes etc. We all know its highly unlikely to be used for other species.
 
Trua said:
Thank you for sharing this @Osedax. Really echos my own thoughts. Although it's been over a decade now since I left Sydney, I can't even begin to think of Taronga without elephants. I remember when it was just Burma and Heman back in that little old paddock when the future of elephants at Taronga were looking bleak. Nevertheless, the breeding group came in from Asia and sparked a whole new chapter. I won't forget the excitement when Luk Chai was born. And the calves that followed (Mr Shuffles was a staff favourite!!!). It is sad to see them go but I am elated that they get to start new lives in Adelaide which they've already begun.
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It must have been such an exciting time for all the staff to observe the calves. Each one brought something new:

1.0 Luk Chai (2009) - first elephant born in Australia
1.0 Pathi Harn (2010) - miracle birth
0.1 Tukta (2010) - first female born at Taronga Zoo
1.0 Jai Dee (2017) - first calf in six years

Porntip, Thong Dee and the boys transferred out in 2015, so Jai Dee would have really brought life to the exhibit again.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It must have been such an exciting time for all the staff to observe the calves. Each one brought something new:

1.0 Luk Chai (2009) - first elephant born in Australia
1.0 Pathi Harn (2010) - miracle birth
0.1 Tukta (2010) - first female born at Taronga Zoo
1.0 Jai Dee (2017) - first calf in six years

Porntip, Thong Dee and the boys transferred out in 2015, so Jai Dee would have really brought life to the exhibit again.
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It could be just as exciting if they imported a female Indian rhino and started breeding them at Taronga!
 
Zoofan15 said:
And the Andean condor (that’s 14 years old) can live up to 80 years, so hopefully she’ll be around for a while yet.
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I'd love to see them extend the condor aviary into that lawn space beside the bird show. San Diego Zoo's California Condor habitats are spectacular, and I think a similar (Andean styled) habitat could be done beautifully.

That condor habitat has just been a boring ring of grass for as long as I can remember, and aviary builds are not prohibitively expensive. Does Taronga only hold one female Andean Condor now?
 
JessKimber said:
I'd love to see them extend the condor aviary into that lawn space beside the bird show. San Diego Zoo's California Condor habitats are spectacular, and I think a similar (Andean styled) habitat could be done beautifully.

That condor habitat has just been a boring ring of grass for as long as I can remember, and aviary builds are not prohibitively expensive. Does Taronga only hold one female Andean Condor now?
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I too would love to see an expansion of the current exhibit which makes for quite a small, boring display.

Taronga does indeed only have one female Andean Condor left; Konira, an offspring of the previous breeding pair who've now been moved to a private facility for retirement.
 
JessKimber said:
I'd love to see them extend the condor aviary into that lawn space beside the bird show. San Diego Zoo's California Condor habitats are spectacular, and I think a similar (Andean styled) habitat could be done beautifully.

That condor habitat has just been a boring ring of grass for as long as I can remember, and aviary builds are not prohibitively expensive. Does Taronga only hold one female Andean Condor now?
Click to expand...
Jambo said:
I too would love to see an expansion of the current exhibit which makes for quite a small, boring display.

Taronga does indeed only have one female Andean Condor left; Konira, an offspring of the previous breeding pair who've now been moved to a private facility for retirement.
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Taronga has one female condor:

0.1 Konira (November 2011) Bruce x Connie

Her elderly parents were retired to Feathered Friends, which were also sent her 1.1 siblings:

1.0 Bruce (September 1979)
0.1 Connie (September 1979)

1.0 Inti (November 2006) Bruce x Connie
0.1 Leslie (November 2003) Bruce x Connie
 
Final elephant post from Taronga Zoo:

From socials:

Today, we share the final chapter of an extraordinary journey across states — the safe and successful move of our beloved Asian Elephants from Taronga Zoo Sydney to their new home and herd at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.

While our hearts are heavy saying goodbye to these beautiful girls who have inspired generations, we know this move marks the beginning of something truly special. At Monarto, Tang Mo and Pak Boon will have a herd setting that mirrors their natural environment — a dream decades in the making.

Taronga’s journey with elephants is far from over. Not only will we continue our work to conserve this beautiful species in the wild from Thailand to Sumatra, but we will continue our breeding and conservation program in our thriving herd of seven Asian Elephants at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

This moment wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless dedication of our incredible Taronga team, particularly our keepers and vets. You’ve gone above and beyond every step of the way — thank you, from the bottom of our hearts And to our Taronga community — thank you for your love, your support, and the countless memories shared.

While this is our bittersweet goodbye, it’s a beautiful new chapter in their journey, join us in wishing them every happiness in their new home and herd.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1208718633974133
 
Sumatran Tiger Export

Mawar has been exported to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in the United States:

0.1 Mawar (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika

Her departure leaves Taronga Zoo with 3.2 Sumatran tigers:

1.0 Kembali (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
0.1 Kartika (20/08/2011) Satu x Jumilah
1.0 Clarence (22/08/2013) Ramalon x Kaitlyn
1.0 Pemanah (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
0.1 Tengah Malam (17/01/2019) Clarence x Kartika
 
Article on Sky Safari

MSN

Key facts:

The larger cars would fit 10 people each, compared with the previous system's six, and have flip-back seats to allow larger wheelchairs and prams.

The proposal remains under review by planning authorities, with the timeline for public submissions to close on June 10.

Taronga Zoo says the new cable car is expected to open in between 2027 and 2028.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Article on Sky Safari

MSN

Key facts:

The larger cars would fit 10 people each, compared with the previous system's six, and have flip-back seats to allow larger wheelchairs and prams.

The proposal remains under review by planning authorities, with the timeline for public submissions to close on June 10.

Taronga Zoo says the new cable car is expected to open in between 2027 and 2028.
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The cable car is going to have been closed to quite a while by the time that it finally reopens. I expected that the plans would have been fairly advanced by the time that they closed in 2023, which may have been the case and then changes needed to be made to the route and the design, I don't know.
 
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