The baby gorilla is male: https://taronga.org.au/media/media-release/2015-05-25/taronga-keepers-confirm-new-gorilla-baby-boy
Some years ago there was talk of Taronga stopping breeding Gorillas until science could develop a way of manipulating the sex to produce more females. Seems like they backtracked on that idea and have just continued breeding. Every male baby produced is another potential problem to house in the future (this applies worldwide, not just here )
An update on the planned Chimpanzee import from Denmark: Givskud Zoo have released a statement outlining the delays which have resulted in the moves (including to Taronga) being postponed until September/October 2015. The main issue is that Taronga are currently rebuilding there quarantine facility and won't be able to receive them until this is done. Full statement is on the Givskud Zoo thread
Paid a visit today to Taronga for what seemed like ages! -Long beaked echidna was not present on display at all (in its place with the rufous owl was short beaked echidna). -Brazilian agouti is now on display by itself in what was an aviary adjacent to Creatures lf the Wollemi (next to the malleefowl aviary and across from the kangaroos). -Construction of the new tiger exhibit has meant that the path in African Waterhole is blocked immediately after the fennec fox exhibit. Today they were cutting down trees in what were the dhole exhibits. The path between the former fennec fox exhibit and the larger former dhole exhibit has been cordoned off, along with the lion exhibit. -The former ostrich exhibit (across from the barbary sheep) has had a large shade structure added that is identical to what is used for the Malayan tapir. The exhibit still has a chainlink fence with green mesh obstructing view. -Work is being done on the outdoor komodo dragon exhibit to extend the shelter near the heat rock.
Reptile house species list as of 4th June (species in order of exhibit): Komodo dragon (adult) (indoor/outdoor) Red-eyed tree frog (this species along with the following up to the green iguana are completely indoors) Green and gold bell frog Dwarf tree frog Cane toad Golden-tailed gecko White-lipped tree frog Veiled chameleon Arafura file snake Mata mata 'Tuatara' (Sphenodon punctatus) Reticulated python Elongated tortoise/Philippine sailfin lizard/river cooter (the tortoise and turtle are confined to their own areas, while the lizard has access to both areas) Booroolong frog Eyelash viper Komodo dragon (sub-adult) Komodo dragon (sub-adult) Eastern diamondback rattlesnake Gila monster Broad-headed snake Star tortoise Monocled cobra [transition to humid, indoor rotunda like building] Green anaconda Fijian banded iguana 'Basilisk' (Basiliscus plumifrons) Boa constrictor Green python/green tree frog Fijian crested iguana Green iguana (indoor/outdoor) Eastern short-necked turtle Red bellied black snake Rhinoceros iguana Frilled lizard (this species up to the giant cave gecko are completely indoors) Night skink Stimson's python Lawson's bearded dragon Hosmer's skink Cunningham's skink Olive python Black headed python Centralian carpet python Inland taipan Rough knob-tailed gecko Red-barred dragon Central netted dragon Giant cave gecko Eastern blue tongue skink/eastern water dragon/land mullet/Cunningham's skink (outdoor) Freshwater crocodile/northern snake-necked turtle (outdoor)
Riley posted this on the Native Mammals thread, but it hasn't been mentioned here. Taronga has just got in three Northern Nailtail Wallabies which are found in very few zoos. There are some photos here, on their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tarongazoo/posts/936002123129346
I took some photos of them (along with the baby gorillas, construction updates, etc) but my computer has unfortunately decided to crap itself so they wont be uploaded anytime soon unfortunately.
The otters should be back on exhibit on Thursday... Obs vollies have been hanging around the Sun Bear enclosure a lot lately... Frala refused to show off baby F yesterday... grrr! All I got was a quick glimpse of his fluffy little topknot... but Mjukuu was showing off his climbing skills in the back dayroom for hours! Tang Mo has been down to visit with Gung this week... and Pak Boon will be visiting him in a couple of months when she's due to cycle again. Fingers crossed! T.
Am I right in saying that there are currently 1.2 red pandas, assuming that Wan-mei is still present at Taronga?
I can't really see the plans that well (they appear grainy to me) but I am assuming the exhibit will solely feature tigers and nothing else (like terrariums?)? EDIT: after looking at the grainy plans it also appears that the meerkats will have to move as well?
It certainly looks that way, although I am finding the plans rather confusing. Are there to be two tiger exhibits, one where the Snow Leopards were, and one opposite (where the small cages were), with the two existing big cat cages (for tigers and lions) becoming off display holding areas? I like how it links through to Tahr Mountain, but its such a shame they haven't kept a little Himalayan area down that far end with the Snow Leopards and Red Pandas. After this complex is built, is there any space for an Orang exhibit to tie the SE Asian area together fully?
Parum and Kimbe the Goodfellow's tree kangaroos have been introduced for breeding (forgot to mention this from my visit): No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au
Have the spider monkeys moved out now? Last time I was there (last year) there were 3 spider monkeys in that old enclosure (near the Australiana section). Where have they gone?
