Release of Endangered Lord Howe Island Woodhens Taronga Zoo have announced on their Facebook page the re-release of the last of 159 endangered Lord Howe Island woodhens, following the successful eradication of rats and other invasive predators on the island. It has been referred to as “the largest single conservation act" in NSW history.” The birds were cared for by Taronga Zoo and other facilities over the last nine months. Read more here: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/...sOE0WnM9XwaDXCWHsyOqbwpGX0ls31c8Ck-9Px6KvhJvI
How many individual birds did the entire program take out and brought back after rodent eradication ops on Lord Howe Isl.?
The population of adult birds on the island was 232 in 2016. This was down from 250 in 2008. 85% of the wild population were rounded up in 2019 according to this article: 'A nasty place at the moment': Lord Howe Island tense as rat baiting begins This means assuming no breeding took place in captivity, the population had declined to around 187 (187 x 0.85 = 159) prior to capture. Either that or a number of them died while in captivity for nine months.
I don't think the article is saying that that total number re-released was 159 - it was either misreporting or they were talking about only a portion of the total. This article says that 120 currawongs and 250 woodhens were captured and housed in captivity: Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - UPDATED. The eradication of rodents on Australia’s Lord Howe Island has commenced
A number of Northern booroolong frogs brought to Taronga to save them for the drought : Endangered frogs leap on a lifeline
Nyota the Giraffe has passed away at the impressive age of 28. She was born at Taronga in 1992 and had several age-related problems in her later years. This leaves the zoo with 1.1 giraffe. Taronga Zoo Sydney
That's an impressive age. Nyota's maternal line stretches back to the import of her great great grandmother (a purebred Masai giraffe) in 1935: Mighty (1935) > Hazel (1953) > Faye (1975) > Hope (1983) > Nyota (1992) Nyota was one of the last giraffes born at Taronga Zoo. The last calf was born five months later in June 1992 and lived for three days.
Over the past few months, Taronga Zoo has welcomed 35 Bellinger River Turtle hatchlings. The zoo currently holds almost 100 individuals of this critically endangered species. Security Check
Does anyone own this hardcover publication from 2016? https://www.amazon.com/Time-Taronga-Down-Under-Hardback-2016/dp/B01M4LUJ42
Yes, I have a copy. Is there anything in particular you want to know about it, or do you just want a general review?
I was hoping that somewhere on ZooChat there would be a mini-review, but it's not a big deal as I already ordered a copy.
Update on New African Savannah: During a recent podcast released by Taronga Zoo with the zoo's CEO it was mentioned that the African Savannah is ready for opening [mentioned around 18:33 in the podcast in the link below]. On my visit a few months ago it looked almost ready for the animals with most of the trees and vegetation already planted. In regards to when the lions are arriving, I quote the interview, "a little bit later on." Zoo Life in Lockdown
Yes she is a lioness (born 2011) currently at Taronga Western Plains Plains. She is currently living alone. A quote from a recent article about her future move to Sydney: "Lazarus leaves behind his companion Maya and keepers are ensuring her welfare is paramount. The team are spending more time with her and doing behavioural enrichment. Plans are being made for Maya to be transferred to Taronga Zoo, Sydney in the coming months where she will be paired with another male Lion." Farewell Lazarus
It will be interesting to see where the male comes from, and if they will be bred. Personally, I don’t think they will as Maya is currently nine. Female lionesses have been noted to breed up until the age of fifteen, though their reproduction usually starts to decline at the age of eleven. Melbourne Zoo have two brothers, but the article states she will only be paired with one male, and I doubt the brothers will be separated. Maybe the one of the older Monarto males (Inkosi or Jelani)?
Taronga Zoo has officially announced that the zoo’s two Giraffe - Jimiyu and Zarafa have now moved back into their original exhibit overlooking Sydney Harbour. From the zoo’s Facebook page: Taronga Zoo Sydney Source: Taronga Zoo's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=682864575832512
