Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo Species List

[Zoofan15]

@Abbey @Jambo Hi guys, I called Taronga last friday and asked if Ekundu was ok. They said they'd email the keepers who work with him and would call back or email back (gave them email) but haven't heard back from them unfortunately

I’d like to think the news the zoo’s only bongo had died would have been communicated to the admin team, if for no other reason than advising visitors that a species listed on the map wasn’t able to be seen when they arrive at the zoo.

My guess is he’s unwell and they’re unsure what level of detail of his condition they wish to disclose; combined with genuine uncertainty about when he can be back on exhibit.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Hope he does ok, he's such a beautiful fella, so graceful

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Hope he does ok, he's such a beautiful fella, so graceful

Not to mention one of only six bongo in the region!

The population consists of a single bull at Altina and two breeding pairs at Dubbo, so future bongos at Taronga will rely on either imports or successful breeding.

It’s a shame that when Maisha was imported in 2016, other zoos didn’t come on board to do a group import. Our regional population would be looking a lot healthier if they had.

 

[Jambo]

@Abbey @Jambo Hi guys, I called Taronga last friday and asked if Erkundu was ok. They said they'd email the keepers who work with him and would call back or email back (gave them email) but haven't heard back from them unfortunately

I hope he's doing well, although it does seem to be something possibly medically related that they haven't identified yet or are still working to treat.

Obviously he wasn't on exhibit when I visited, so he must've been moved to an off display location; but hopefully he can get better and return on display once again. I did see him on previous visits, and he's quite a sight to see, especially up close with those huge, amazing horns.

Hopefully a response comes in soon for you, but I wouldn't hold my hopes high for one; zoos have never ended up responding to an email of mine before on multiple occasions.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Abbey @Jambo Hi guys, I called Taronga last friday and asked if Erkundu was ok. They said they'd email the keepers who work with him and would call back or email back (gave them email) but haven't heard back from them unfortunately

Good news re. Ekundu:

I contacted Taronga Zoo and they’ve confirmed Ekundu is alive and well. Good news indeed! They advised the best time to see him is early morning until midday.

This species has a typical longevity of mid to late teens, so Ekundu is doing well to have reached 16 (turning 17 later this year). He’s currently the eldest bongo in the region.

 

[steveroberts]

@Zoofan15 Oh that's wonderful new, thanks so much man for finding out. So relieved to hear Ekundu is doing well, that's really cool about his age achievement already too.

 

[Zoofan15]

@Zoofan15 Oh that's wonderful new, thanks so much man for finding out. So relieved to hear Ekundu is doing well, that's really cool about his age achievement already too.

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.

As far as I’m aware, the longevity record for this species in the region was set by Ekundu’s grandmother, Nambala, who died about five weeks before her 17th birthday in 2012.

Ekundu turns 17 in November, so may well break that record!

 

[Tigergal]

Thanks for the list, wonderful job!

Perhaps the trio have finally been weaned and separated from Kartika, it's amazing that they've managed to keep them with her for 3 years now, especially since one of the "cubs" is male. Hopefully this means they are getting ready to rebreed Clarence and Kartika and more cubs are on the way! I'm assuming they have the space for another litter of cubs.

I was at Taronga yesterday and Kartika was back in with the her cubs in the larger exhibit as you exit the tiger trek - though the three cubs were on the timber platform and Katrika was up in the tree resting

 

[Zoofan15]

I was at Taronga yesterday and Kartika was back in with the her cubs in the larger exhibit as you exit the tiger trek - though the three cubs were on the timber platform and Katrika was up in the tree resting

It’s good the cubs have been able to remain with Kartika into adulthood as it makes the most efficient use of exhibit space.

Similarly, Kartika and her brother remained with their own mother until Clarence arrived to be paired with Kartika.

The complex has a capacity of eight tigers, so is almost full with 4.2 adults. I wouldn’t expect further breeding to occur to this pair, but imagine one of the cubs will be paired with a mate born to Auckland Zoo’s new pair down the line.

 

[Zorro]

Not to mention one of only six bongo in the region!

The population consists of a single bull at Altina and two breeding pairs at Dubbo, so future bongos at Taronga will rely on either imports or successful breeding.

It’s a shame that when Maisha was imported in 2016, other zoos didn’t come on board to do a group import. Our regional population would be looking a lot healthier if they had.

I don’t believe I would include the Singapore imported female as part of a breeding pair, she has been here for quite some time now without any calf, bongo’s breed well in zoos and I would love to see this import produce young but unfortunately its looking less likely. Now however since the bovine IRA is completed there’s not much stopping our zoos acquiring more especially since they are common in overseas zoos.

 

[Zoofan15]

I don’t believe I would include the Singapore imported female as part of a breeding pair, she has been here for quite some time now without any calf, bongo’s breed well in zoos and I would love to see this import produce young but unfortunately its looking less likely. Now however since the bovine IRA is completed there’s not much stopping our zoos acquiring more especially since they are common in overseas zoos.

I was recently advised she’s been paired with the young bull in an attempt to stimulate breeding. She was previously in a 1.2 herd with his father and the other cow, so hopefully a change of bull will do the trick. However unlikely, it’s worth a shot.

Like you say, imports should be forthcoming. I’m personally frustrated they never took the initiative to import more than 0.1 via New Zealand when they had the chance. The population could look a lot healthier now if they had, but at least more can be imported.

 

[Zorro]

I was recently advised she’s been paired with the young bull in an attempt to stimulate breeding. She was previously in a 1.2 herd with his father and the other cow, so hopefully a change of bull will do the trick. However unlikely, it’s worth a shot.

Like you say, imports should be forthcoming. I’m personally frustrated they never took the initiative to import more than 0.1 via New Zealand when they had the chance. The population could look a lot healthier now if they had, but at least more can be imported.

I agree its worth trying nothing to lose. I also agree the import of just one animal in more resent year's was short sighted there does not appear to be much real effort to establish the species here since they only took hold of one pair to start with.

 

[Zoofan15]

I agree its worth trying nothing to lose. I also agree the import of just one animal in more resent year's was short sighted there does not appear to be much real effort to establish the species here since they only took hold of one pair to start with.

I can understand housing them in pairs in city zoos due to space, but there’s no reason the open range zoos can’t hold large herds.

Eastern bongo can live in herds of up to 50 females and their young, so the open range zoos should aim for a minimum of four or five cows. Females born into the herd could remain to ensure succession; with surplus bulls castrated if necessary.

 

[Zorro]

I can understand housing them in pairs in city zoos due to space, but there’s no reason the open range zoos can’t hold large herds.

Eastern bongo can live in herds of up to 50 females and their young, so the open range zoos should aim for a minimum of four or five cows. Females born into the herd could remain to ensure succession; with surplus bulls castrated if necessary.

Bongos these days are quite common in many uk, US and European collections, also some are in private hands in the US even on hunting ranches. They are kept in both city and open range zoos also safari parks overseas also I believe that the rum river collection in the US has/had around 100 of them. There is no real reason why our holders could not obtain a number and get them established once and for all in our regional collections.not sure why Melbourne through in the towel after its female died not to much commitment there.

 

[Zoofan15]

Bongos these days are quite common in many uk, US and European collections, also some are in private hands in the US even on hunting ranches. They are kept in both city and open range zoos also safari parks overseas also I believe that the rum river collection in the US has/had around 100 of them. There is no real reason why our holders could not obtain a number and get them established once and for all in our regional collections.not sure why Melbourne through in the towel after its female died not to much commitment there.

Melbourne’s decision to phase them out (and nonsensical reasoning for doing so) was disappointing. Zoos Victoria could have continued with them at Werribee, with Melbourne holding surplus bulls to sub in and out of the breeding herd.

I’d like to see a group import from the open range zoos, supported by the city zoos to house the surplus - including bongo from our existing population, which is becoming inbred.

 

[Zorro]

Melbourne’s decision to phase them out (and nonsensical reasoning for doing so) was disappointing. Zoos Victoria could have continued with them at Werribee, with Melbourne holding surplus bulls to sub in and out of the breeding herd.

I’d like to see a group import from the open range zoos, supported by the city zoos to house the surplus - including bongo from our existing population, which is becoming inbred.

I believe interest in bongos has dropped off somewhat in favour of Nyala which is less attractive in my view and non endangered. I will be following future developments with our regions bongo

 

[Zoofan15]

I believe interest in bongos has dropped off somewhat in favour of Nyala which is less attractive in my view and non endangered. I will be following future developments with our regions bongo

Nyala are rampant across New Zealand’s zoos, with most exhibiting them as part of integrated Savannah exhibit. Auckland houses them with Southern white rhinoceros and Common waterbuck; while Wellington Zoo exhibit them with Giraffe.

Nyala from Southern Africa are seen as more suitable for the Savannah than the forest dwelling Eastern bongo; but bongo are far more impressive and as you mentioned, endangered. It’d be my preference to see our zoos focus on them instead.

Also working against the bongo is their size. They’re three times the size of Nyala, meaning large herds of Nyala can be held in city zoos and fed at a fraction of the cost of what an equivalent sized herd of bongo would set them back.

 

[Zorro]

Nyala are rampant across New Zealand’s zoos, with most exhibiting them as part of integrated Savannah exhibit. Auckland houses them with Southern white rhinoceros and Common waterbuck; while Wellington Zoo exhibit them with Giraffe.

Nyala from Southern Africa are seen as more suitable for the Savannah than the forest dwelling Eastern bongo; but bongo are far more impressive and as you mentioned, endangered. It’d be my preference to see our zoos focus on them instead.

Also working against the bongo is their size. They’re three times the size of Nyala, meaning large herds of Nyala can be held in city zoos and fed at a fraction of the cost of what an equivalent sized herd of bongo would set them back.

Considering how many are held in NZ zoos its surprising that more have not been moved across the ditch from NZ. Just my own view I can’t compare the two species much in the looks department while male Nyala do carry a nice set of horns the females are pretty ordinary looking while the bongos are muti coloured with attractive markings which I believe would be much more appealing to the average zoo goer. I am hoping since there appears to be some interest in Waterbuck on both sides of the ditch that perhaps a few could be imported to shore up the numbers held in our region.

 

[Zoofan15]

Considering how many are held in NZ zoos its surprising that more have not been moved across the ditch from NZ. Just my own view I can’t compare the two species much in the looks department while male Nyala do carry a nice set of horns the females are pretty ordinary looking while the bongos are muti coloured with attractive markings which I believe would be much more appealing to the average zoo goer. I am hoping since there appears to be some interest in Waterbuck on both sides of the ditch that perhaps a few could be imported to shore up the numbers held in our region.

Common waterbuck are now thriving at Orana Wildlife Park with the male imported from Werribee in 2019 having sired two calves to date and their population now numbering nine individuals.

They’re also held at Auckland Zoo, but Hamilton Zoo regrettably decided to phase them out. Bulls can be aggressive so they don’t always make the best species for an integrated Savannah.

It’d be great to see more exchanges between Australia and New Zealand in the future.

 

[Jambo]

I was at Taronga yesterday and Kartika was back in with the her cubs in the larger exhibit as you exit the tiger trek - though the three cubs were on the timber platform and Katrika was up in the tree resting

I’ve always seen them in the middle enclosure; with the cubs all together resting on the jeep, and Kartika usually lying or pacing nearby. I did see the cubs separated from Kartika though at one point, and one was lying up in the tree. It was definitely quite a sight to see, and I love the incorporation of the tree into their enclosure as it allows them to climb trees, something they would do in the wild.