Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo News 2025

[Zoofan15]

Johari never got to witness the raising of an infant herself at Melbourne, so I'm not surprised she was fascinated by the initial males upon their births.

It would have been difficult for her; moving from Melbourne's group where she was quite comfortable, to Taronga's. Her social position on the exterior of the troop due to her inability to breed has had it's obvious repercussions, and it would be good to get her to a facility (like Mogo) where she would at least have some companionship on the exterior (in G Ann).

Although Kriba is essentially raising Kaius (most of the time), it would also give Johari the great opportunity to also assist in raising him too which I'd imagine she might take great interest in. An infant from Johari would be very, very valuable so it's absolutely worth the shot imo.

Fully agree. I’ve been saying for months that Frala and Mbeli should go to Melbourne Zoo.

It’s last chance saloon for Frala to breed, but should she be able to, the benefits of having an infant will outweigh everything else; and ultimately it would be in her best welfare interests assuming no underlying health issues have been identified.

Frala was the third ranking of the three females in Kibabu’s troop, but at least she had a succession of offspring. She was never alone. Johari has been an outcast on the periphery, which wouldn’t be such an issue in Mogo’s troop, where G-Anne is in the same boat.

Mogo’s troop is basically:

1. Kisane and Kipenzi (power couple) and their daughter.
2. Kriba, second ranking female and her surrogate son.
3. G-Anne (peripheral female/outcast).
Johari would likely assume the same role as G-Anne.

 

[Zorro]

Fully agree. I’ve been saying for months that Frala and Mbeli should go to Melbourne Zoo.

It’s last chance saloon for Frala to breed, but should she be able to, the benefits of having an infant will outweigh everything else; and ultimately it would be in her best welfare interests assuming no underlying health issues have been identified.

Frala was the third ranking of the three females in Kibabu’s troop, but at least she had a succession of offspring. She was never alone. Johari has been an outcast on the periphery, which wouldn’t be such an issue in Mogo’s troop, where G-Anne is in the same boat.

Mogo’s troop is basically:

1. Kisane and Kipenzi (power couple) and their daughter.
2. Kriba, second ranking female and her surrogate son.
3. G-Anne (peripheral female/outcast).
Johari would likely assume the same role as G-Anne.

I would not be surprised if Mogo expanded its Gorilla area in the future with further breeding within the troop

 

[Zoofan15]

I would not be surprised if Mogo expanded its Gorilla area in the future with further breeding within the troop

They have two exhibits, so I’d assume the second would be used to facilitate an introduction of the incoming female to the troop and then the troop would have the run of the two exhibits. Long term, one could be use to manage a seperate bachelor troop.

It’s a better set up than Taronga, which has a smaller
second exhibit, but not one that would be considered an adequate size for running a bachelor troop long term (it’s only previously held surplus e.g. Haoko and Shabani for a short period of time). The reduction of Taronga’s troop to four males can easily be managed across both exhibits however.

 

[WhistlingKite24]

Some non-mammalian updates confirmed with Taronga via email over the past couple of months – apologies if I have repeated anything in the thread:

• the pair of Splendid Fairy-wrens from Alice Spring Desert Park have fledged two chicks. There are plans to add surplus males to the Western Slopes Aviary.

• both pairs of Variegated Fairy-wrens in the Marsh and Western Slopes Aviary have fledged a total of four chicks among them so far.

• 14 Metallic Starling chicks have fledged at the zoo with more chicks on the way as well to expand numbers across the Rainforest and Palm Aviaries.

• 10 White-rumped Shamas were fledged this season to add to their single-sex male flocks across the Palm and Wetlands Aviaries.

• Four additional Noisy Pitta chicks have fledged.

• Five Forest Kingfisher (the Northern Territory subspecies) chicks have fledged creating a new group to restock the Rainforest Aviary.

• Six Eastern Yellow Robin chicks and three Wompoo Fruit-Doves have also fledged to grow numbers for both species across displays.

• a female Lady Amherst’s Pheasant has arrived from Featherdale to start breeding this species.

• 14 Central American Eyelash Vipers have been bred at Taronga following US imports. The neonates are a mix of colour morphs.

• Eastern Dwarf Frogs have bred from their communal display population.

 

[Tiger91]

Gorilla Transfer:

Taronga will be sending down two of their female gorillas to Melbourne in the coming months. They should arrive at Melbourne come this September. Presumably the other remaining female will also be transferred out (likely to Mogo), with Taronga essentially becoming a bachelor holding with Kibali and his three sons.

It will be interesting to see where they go with this, will they eventually breed again or are they just going to be a bachelor facility.

 

[Jambo]

It will be interesting to see where they go with this, will they eventually breed again or are they just going to be a bachelor facility.

It appears they'll remain as a bachelor facility for the foreseeable future. However, there is the opportunity to construct a new complex down the line and re-start with new females acquired from overseas, and one of their current males (likely Fabumi due to his genetic value). Time will tell.

 

[Tiger91]

As has been stated, it appears they'll remain as a bachelor facility for the foreseeable future. However, there is the opportunity to construct a new complex down the line and re-start with new females and one of their current males (likely Fabumi due to his genetic value).

I wouldn't be surprised to see no new complex built at this point. Id say there will be a marked move from rainforrest africa to south america. The pygmy hippo's will get a new set of exhibits. But with the end of breeding at Taronga for essentially the foreseeable future. To me it seems like they are wanting to use space for other things.

Knowing taronga under Cameron Kerr it will be a new complex for SA or a new set of cafes, shop, Human activity bassed thingy. Even better if he can do what he did with the African savannah and have five species with most of the space being designated for human use.

With this move id be surprised to see Gorilla included in any sort of majour plan for the lifespan of the males. Id love to be wrong tho.

 

[Zoofan15]

It appears they'll remain as a bachelor facility for the foreseeable future. However, there is the opportunity to construct a new complex down the line and re-start with new females acquired from overseas, and one of their current males (likely Fabumi due to his genetic value). Time will tell.

I wouldn't be surprised to see no new complex built at this point. Id say there will be a marked move from rainforrest africa to south america. The pygmy hippo's will get a new set of exhibits. But with the end of breeding at Taronga for essentially the foreseeable future. To me it seems like they are wanting to use space for other things.

Knowing taronga under Cameron Kerr it will be a new complex for SA or a new set of cafes, shop, Human activity bassed thingy. Even better if he can do what he did with the African savannah and have five species with most of the space being designated for human use.

With this move id be surprised to see Gorilla included in any sort of majour plan for the lifespan of the males. Id love to be wrong tho.

Construction priorities for Taronga Zoo are as follows:

Indian Rhinoceros Exhibit - opening spring 2025.

Wildlife Hospital - scheduled to open in 2026.

SkySafari - scheduled to open in 2027/2028.

The Congo precinct has been shelved for now, but will hopefully be something they consider in the future. I think we can all agree it would be an asset to the zoo.

 

[Zorro]

Construction priorities for Taronga Zoo are as follows:

Indian Rhinoceros Exhibit - opening spring 2025.

Wildlife Hospital - scheduled to open in 2026.

SkySafari - scheduled to open in 2027/2028.

The Congo precinct has been shelved for now, but will hopefully be something they consider in the future. I think we can all agree it would be an asset to the zoo.

I would believe there would be very little modifications made to the former elephant exhibit if any its just a rebadged as a Indian rhino exhibit

 

[Zoofan15]

I would believe there would be very little modifications made to the former elephant exhibit if any its just a rebadged as a Indian rhino exhibit

In addition to the exisiting pools, I assume they’ll be some earthworks to add a mud wallow; but you’re correct that modifications will be minor as evidenced by the rhino anticipated to move in six months after the departure of the elephants.

For comparison, Perth and Auckland are undertaking more extensive modifications and have put dinosaurs in there in the meantime.

 

[Osedax]

Some non-mammalian updates confirmed with Taronga via email over the past couple of months – apologies if I have repeated anything in the thread:

• the pair of Splendid Fairy-wrens from Alice Spring Desert Park have fledged two chicks. There are plans to add surplus males to the Western Slopes Aviary.

• both pairs of Variegated Fairy-wrens in the Marsh and Western Slopes Aviary have fledged a total of four chicks among them so far.

• 14 Metallic Starling chicks have fledged at the zoo with more chicks on the way as well to expand numbers across the Rainforest and Palm Aviaries.

• 10 White-rumped Shamas were fledged this season to add to their single-sex male flocks across the Palm and Wetlands Aviaries.

• Four additional Noisy Pitta chicks have fledged.

• Five Forest Kingfisher (the Northern Territory subspecies) chicks have fledged creating a new group to restock the Rainforest Aviary.

• Six Eastern Yellow Robin chicks and three Wompoo Fruit-Doves have also fledged to grow numbers for both species across displays.

• a female Lady Amherst’s Pheasant has arrived from Featherdale to start breeding this species.

• 14 Central American Eyelash Vipers have been bred at Taronga following US imports. The neonates are a mix of colour morphs.

• Eastern Dwarf Frogs have bred from their communal display population.

All incredible news! I assume the "Western Slopes Aviary" is the Semi-Arid Aviary?

 

[Zoofan15]

Largest ever Corroboree frog release:

From socials:

In the largest-ever release in NSW’s Brindabella National Park, 544 critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frogs - weighing only 2-3g each - have been released into the wild.

Coordinated by @nswdcceew Saving our Species program, bred at @tarongazoo and released with @nswnationalparks, this release of these striking Australian frogs is vital to the conservation effort to bolster the dwindling wild populations, estimated at fewer than 1,200 mature individuals.

 

[Osedax]

I was working with Aus Fauna keepers this morning. I didn’t have much chance to have a look around the zoo after my shift as I left to go birding in Manly, but I do have a couple of updates from the keepers.

• There is a new Rufous Bettong in Nguwing Nura.
• There are now Short-beaked Echidnas mixed with the koalas in Gulumany Nura.

 

[Osedax]

Updates from today:

• The bird keepers I was working with today mentioned "some mammal" is currently in Moore Park Aviary, and that it is not a red panda. I could not see anything in there when I went to the aviary however.
• There is now a Banded Huntsman in the House in Backyard to Bush, in one of the small spider exhibits. I haven't been in there for a while so I can't quite remember what exactly was in that particular exhibit before (Net-casting Spider or Daddy Long Legs maybe?). The spider in the Shearing Shed signed simply as "Huntsman" also appears to be this species.
• In other spidery news, the larger spider exhibit in the House in BTB, signed just as "Orb Weaver" contains a mix of an Argiope species and a Nephila species. This may have gone on for longer than I had thought, as I have seen both species in there previously, just never at the same time. I assumed that they rotated, as I had never seen a mixed species spider exhibit before.
• Kambiri and Lololi (Pygmy Hippos) are still kept together.
• A Small-leaved Fig Tree near the Wetlands Aviary now has a sign titled "More Than a Tree" with some information about the tree and the importance of trees. Not sure whether this is new or I have just never noticed it before.
• Finally, a question: I saw two young Long-nosed Fur Seal pups today. Does this make sense with recent births?

 

[Zoofan15]

• Finally, a question: I saw two young Long-nosed Fur Seal pups today. Does this make sense with recent births?

Only one fur seal pup has been announced:

0.1 Pea (15/01/2025) - dam: Keke

The last birth prior to that was in December 2023 (Eve).

Taronga has another adult female fur seal (Ollie). She’s quite old, but assuming you didn’t mistake the fur seal pup for the Australian sea lion pup, the only possibility is Ollie has produced a pup too. This would be her first (surviving) pup, hence a delayed announcement perhaps.

The bird keepers I was working with today mentioned "some mammal" is currently in Moore Park Aviary, and that it is not a red panda. I could not see anything in there when I went to the aviary however..

Cotton-top tamarin or Bolivian squirrel monkey would be my guess.

 

[Osedax]

Only one fur seal pup has been announced:

0.1 Pea (15/01/2025) - dam: Keke

The last birth prior to that was in December 2023 (Eve).

Taronga has another adult female fur seal (Ollie). She’s quite old, but assuming you didn’t mistake the fur seal pup for the Australian sea lion pup, the only possibility is Ollie has produced a pup too. This would be her first (surviving) pup, hence a delayed announcement perhaps.

They were definitely both fur seals and both very young.

 

[Zoofan15]

They were definitely both fur seals and both very young.

Unless another female has transferred in, it appears Ollie has given birth.

I don’t know Ollie’s DOB, but all the fur seals at Marineland were born in December and there’s a photo of Ollie while at Marineland in May 2007 where she looks to be around two years old - narrowing down her DOB to either December 2004 or December 2005. Either way, she’s old!

 

[Osedax]

A few more updates from today:

• At least one Short-beaked Echidna is back in Nguwing Nura (in the Yellow-bellied Glider exhibit).
• I only saw two Pied Stilts in the Finch / Marsh Aviary; not sure what happened to the third one.
• The chameleon in the ARC has been replaced by the zoo’s Scheltopusik.

 

[Osedax]

A couple of things from the past few days:

• The "Pit Stop" (former camel exhibit) is now where the tents for the ZooSnooz program are, and I'm told this is permanent.
• Not exactly news but the new female Lady Amherst Pheasant is absolutely beautiful! I had assumed that she would look basically the same as a female Golden Pheasant, but I was pleasantly surprised. The male was chasing her all around the Palm Aviary on Thursday, displaying, until she took refuge on a high branch (not sure whether or not the male can fly, but he didn't pursue her once she took off - and it's good to see that she has somewhere to escape to when she wants to). I didn't manage to see the pair today.

 

[Astrobird]

A couple of things from the past few days:

• The "Pit Stop" (former camel exhibit) is now where the tents for the ZooSnooz program are, and I'm told this is permanent.
• Not exactly news but the new female Lady Amherst Pheasant is absolutely beautiful! I had assumed that she would look basically the same as a female Golden Pheasant, but I was pleasantly surprised. The male was chasing her all around the Palm Aviary on Thursday, displaying, until she took refuge on a high branch (not sure whether or not the male can fly, but he didn't pursue her once she took off - and it's good to see that she has somewhere to escape to when she wants to). I didn't manage to see the pair today.

Both pheasants can fly, the cock was perched high up near the roof amongst the doves when i was there a few weeks back, whilst the new hen was on the floor.