Two Major Projects to Start Construction in 2021: Taronga Western Plains are set to begin construction on two exciting projects in 2021: a new wildlife hospital and a refuge for Platypus with $22.8 million worth of funding as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget. As well as $14 million towards the wildlife hospital, Taronga Western Plains Zoo will receive an $8.8 million Platypus Visitor and Education Facility, which will be finished by 2022. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this is one of the largest investments in Taronga Western Plains Zoo in its history. $22.8 million for platypus refuge and wildlife hospital at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – Dugald Saunders
Taronga Western Plains Zoo Annual Report 2019-2020: Whilst technically from the 2019 to 2020 period, the zoo only just released this report [https://taronga.org.au/sites/default/files/2021-01/Taronga_Annual_Report_2019_2020.pdf] a few days ago. The information collected from the annual report summarises nicely the news from the past year and so and helps set out what 2021 has to offer for Dubbo: *Dubbo established a bilby sanctuary with a founding base of 8.8 individuals which was later augmented with five additional bilbies. As of April 2020, the total population stood around 33 bilbies with 10 independent joeys and 9 pouch young. *Regent Honeyeaters were introduced to Dubbo’s collection with the construction of purpose-built aviaries. They also welcomed their first Plains Wanderer chicks in March 2020 after they started a zoo-based programme for the species in 2018. *births during this period included a Southern White Rhinoceros calf, a Common Hippopotamus calf (the report mentions that the calf is a female rather that a much-needed male, I assume it’s just a typo), Giraffe calves, two Przewalski’s Horses, a female Zebra and three Asian Small-clawed Otter pups. Also mentioned is the pregnant South-central Black Rhino that is due this year with another adult female being monitored: “Successfully, pregnancy was confirmed in a Black Rhinoceros and a second adult female Black Rhinoceros is currently undergoing veterinary reproductive ultrasound surveillance to facilitate accurate breeding introductions.” *the new waterhole precinct opened in June 2020 with a second group of Meerkats and additional herds of Barbary Sheep and Addax added to this new space. A renovated African Wild Dog exhibit was also opened. *one of Dubbo’s young female hippos, Kendi faced a very serious illness recently, thankfully she is now on the road to recovery: “Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s veterinary team successfully treated a young hippopotamus for tetanus. The hippopotamus presented with lockjaw, a spasm of the muscles of the jaw, which prevented her from eating. Treatment and supportive care delivered by the Wildlife Hospital team and keepers facilitated the hippopotamus’ recovery. This included anaesthetic events on 32 occasions over a period of six weeks to feed via stomach tube. She is now on the road to recovery because of intensive treatment and supportive care.” *female Sumatran Tiger Indah suffered complications from a routine anaesthetic but luckily made a recovery: “An aged female Sumatran Tiger developed anaesthetic complications during a routine dental procedure being undertaken by a specialist veterinary dentist in Dubbo. The animal recovered consciousness but was uncoordinated, weak and appeared to be totally blind. Intensive veterinary management and strategic supportive care by her keepers facilitated the animal’s recovery over a period of months.” *this final piece of news may interest the elephant fans in particular, Dubbo have been continuing their training for semen collection from their Asian Elephant bull, Gung. I imagine a few AI attempts are underway then: “Gung the bull Asian Elephant has continued training and conditioning for semen collection. The process is progressing well despite 'Gung’s' irregular musth cycles.” *One of the appendices from the annual report document several transfers of animals to and from Dubbo (see the annual report’s appendix 4).
Second generation of Plains-wanderers have hatched: Taronga Western Plains Zoo have announced that in December 2020 they welcomed four Plains-wanderer chicks from two different pairs. A particularly significant part of this news is that both of the females that produced these chicks were the individuals that hatched in March 2020. Consequently these December chicks are the first second-generation birds produced at Dubbo. It's great to see this species becoming more established in captivity following this breeding success and these new pairings. Full article: Taronga Western Plains Zoo welcomes new endangered chicks
3 new coral-species added to the Great Barrier Reef collection which now contains 29 different species : Female-led team rejoices in success after three new species banked
Asian Elephant, Burma has been euthanized due to declining health. She was in her early 60's Vale Burma
Dubbo is currently hinting the arrival of a new birth...my bet is that the South-central Black Rhino calf has been born to female Bahkita! The birth will be officially announced tomorrow. The clue is below. Taronga Western Plains Zoo Source: Taronga Western Plains Zoo's Facebook page
It looks like the big day has come. BTW: if true the birth marks a personal milestone day for me too and makes it that more special.
It’s official! A female South-central Black Rhino calf was born last Wednesday. A female calf is very good news indeed for the black rhino programme. This is Bahkita’s four calf and the zoo now has four females - Bahkita (2002), Kufara (2010), Mesi (2017) and Unnamed (2021): https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/the...rhino-calf-born-at-dubbo-zoo-ng-s-2051508.amp
The zoo has welcomed a litter of five Slender-tailed meerkat pups: Zoo's new pups prove welcome addition Five brand new meerkat pups have joined the family at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, with breeding pair Howell and Midra leaping at the chance to become parents. The two parents moved to Western Plains Taronga Zoo as part of a shake-up that saw the current residents of the Waterhole precinct move on to another zoo in Australia after being brought to Dubbo from two, seperate wildlife parks in September.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s first breeding season for Regent Honeyeaters has come to a very successful end. 33 chicks were produced with a 100% success rate with all six adult pairs producing chicks. The zoo’s flight aviary is now home to 56 Regent Honeyeaters! The flight aviary also houses a few other bird species - three Malleefowl and three White-winged Choughs. More species of bird will be introduced into the aviary soon. Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Work began on the new wildlife hospital at TWPZ this week. From the Daily Liberal: "Construction of Taronga Western Plains Zoo's wildlife hospital is under way, with local firm David Payne Constructions having been granted the tender. On Monday, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said they were anticipating the completion of the $14 million project would be mid-next year."
Sabi Star, the female black rhino calf born seven weeks ago has now made her public debut. She is now on display: Rare black rhino baby makes NSW zoo debut
Mana the male Hippo has died. Log In or Sign Up to View We're devastated to announce the sudden passing of 26 year old Hippo Mana yesterday afternoon. At approximately 2.30pm, Mana experienced a medical episode in his paddock. The Zoo’s veterinary team was immediately called to the scene however the episode was so significant that it resulted in loss of life. The veterinary investigation has determined cause of death as sudden acute heart failure. The loss of Mana is a huge shock to the entire Zoo team, especially the dedicated keepers who cared for him for so many years. It is a very difficult and distressing time for all involved. Mana was close to our hearts having been born here at the Zoo in March 1996. Keepers describe him as a gentle giant. He was the Zoo’s largest bull, and as our breeding bull he made a significant contribution to the regional breeding program. His legacy lives on through the three calves he sired; females Kibibi and Kendi and male Kani. Many guests who have experienced our Hippo Encounter would have special memories of meeting Mana. He had a great disposition with an extremely patient and gentle nature and instilled awe in those who met him. Guests and Keepers alike enjoyed interacting with him. He will be greatly missed by all of us and his Hippo family.
Taronga Western Plains Zoo's second Regent Honeyeater breeding season has now commenced. The zoo is starting the season with eight breeding pairs being an increase from the six pairs that bred in 2020. Four of the eight females are already incubating eggs. Facebook post: Log into Facebook | Facebook
Lion, Mlinzi (originally born at Monarto) has been transferred to the National Zoo and Aquarium for breeding purposes. Another new unnamed male will soon be introduced to some of the females at Dubbo: "African Lion Mlinzi, a well-known resident of the Zoo for the past three years, has recently moved to the National Zoo in Canberra for breeding purposes. Mlinzi is a much loved animal amongst our team and guests and although we are sad to see him go, we wish him well in his new home and hope there is pitter patter of little paws there in the future. Another male will be introduced to our group in the coming months." Facebook post: Log into Facebook | Facebook
