Lori Mitchell

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Taronga Zoo

www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/

Taronga Zoo entrance

Taronga Zoo is the city zoo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Officially opened on October 7, 1916, it is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman. Taronga Zoo is managed by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales under the trading name Taronga Conservation Society along with Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

Divided into eight zoogeographic regions, Taronga Zoo is home to over 2,600 animals on 21 hectares, making it one of the largest of its kind.

Contents

1 History

1.1 Rustic Bridge

1.2 Later additions and changes

1.3 2000 Masterplan

1.4 Zoo Friends

2 Notable Events

2.1 Platypus Birth

2.2 Elephant Birth

3 Animals and exhibits

3.1 Wild Australia

3.1.1 Australian Wetlands

3.1.2 Australian Walkabout

3.1.3 Koala Encounters/Koala Walkabout

3.1.4 Platypus House

3.1.5 Australian Nightlife

3.1.6 Australian Rainforest Aviary

3.1.7 Australian Bush Birds

3.1.8 Creatures of the Wollemi

3.1.9 Helmore Parrot Aviary

3.1.10 Backyard to Bush

3.1.11 Other Wild Australia

3.2 Great Southern Oceans

3.3 Moore Park Aviary

3.4 Serpentaria

3.5 South American Aviaries

3.6 African Waterhole

3.7 Chimpanzee Park

3.8 Gorilla Forest

3.9 Wild Asia

3.10 Himalayan Mountains

3.11 Cats of Asia

3.12 "Dog Row"

3.13 Bear Canyon

3.14 Giant Tortoises

4 Transport

5 See also

6 References

7 External links

//

History

Giraffes in front of Sydney's skyline.

Rustic Bridge in 2009.

The first public zoo in New South Wales opened in 1884 at Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park, on a site now occupied by Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School. Inspired by a 1908 visit to the Hamburg Zoo, the secretary of the zoo, Albert Sherbourne Le Souef, envisioned a new zoo based on the bar-less concept. After realising that the Moore Park site was too small, the NSW Government granted 43 acres (17 ha) of land north of Sydney Harbour. A further 9 acres (3.6 ha) were later granted in 1916.

Taronga is an Aboriginal word meaning beautiful view.

Rustic Bridge

The "Rustic Bridge" was opened in 1915 and was one of Taronga Zoo's earliest landscape features. It was the main way in which visitors could cross the natural gully that it spans. Early photographs show it as a romantic pathway secluded by plantings. The rustic effect was created by embedding stones in the wall and like the Aquarium, its design was reminiscent of Italian grottoes. A tunnel under the bridge that originally connected the Upper and Lower Aquariums has long been blocked at both ends and is also very popular.

Later additions and changes

A critical review in 1967 led to a new emphasis on scientific conservation, education and preservation. New exhibits were built starting with the Platypus and Nocturnal Houses, waterfowl ponds and walkthrough Rainforest Aviary. A Veterinary Quarantine Centre was built as was an Education Centre (funded by the Department of Education). Previous attractions such as elephant rides, miniature trains, monkey circus and merry-go-round gave way to educational facilities such as Friendship Farm and Seal theatre.

In the mid-1980s, a cable car was installed that allows visitors to view the zoo and Sydney Harbour. It runs from the bottom of the park close to the ferry wharf, and transports passengers to the top end of the zoo.

2000 Masterplan

In 2000, TCSA commenced a 12-year $69 million master plan, the majority of which is being spent at Taronga Zoo. The first major master plan item was the Backyard to Bush precinct. Under the plan, the Zoo received five Asian elephants from the Thailand Zoological Park Organisation for breeding purposes, education, long-term research and involvement of conservation programs. The plan has met opposition from environmental activists in Thailand, who blockaded the trucks hauling the elephants to Bangkok International Airport for their flight on June 5, 2006. The elephants along with other Asian rain forest specimens are housed in the "Wild Asia" precinct which opened in 2006 and aims to immerse visitors in an Asian rain forest environment.

A marine section, Great Southern Oceans, opened in April 2008.

Zoo Friends

Zoo Friends offers support in form of volunteers and fund raising for both Taronga and Western Plains Zoo. Members are offered behind-the-scenes experiences at the Zoo and unlimited Zoo entry. Members are also eligible to volunteer to help at the Zoo.

Notable Events

Platypus Birth

In February, 2003 it became the second zoo in Australia to breed the platypus.

Elephant Birth

Luk Chai at five months old.

At 3.04am on July 4th 2009 Thong Dee, an Asian Elephant gave birth to a male calf named Luk Chai. It is the first calf ever born in Australia. Thong Dee is one of the 8 Elephants imported into Australia to participate in the Australasian Conservation Breeding Program. Taronga is expecting a further two calves to be born in the next two years. The baby elephant is a major tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors attending the zoo just to see him.

Animals and exhibits

Taronga Zoo has about 340 species and over 2600 individual animals. They are housed in a large variety of exhibits, including:

Wild Australia

Australian Wetlands

Black-necked Stork

Little Pied Cormorant

Brolga

Australian Pelican

Royal Spoonbill

Pacific Black Duck

Chestnut Teal

Blue-billed Duck

Australian Wood Duck

Australian Shelduck

Plumed Whistling Duck

Water Whistling Duck

Black Swan

Cape Barren Goose

Magpie Goose

Australian Walkabout

A Peacock displays to male Red Kangaroo, 2007.

Red Kangaroo

Tammar Wallaby

Swamp Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

Red-necked Wallaby

Emu

Koala Encounters/Koala Walkabout

Koala

Short-beaked Echidna

Quokka

Platypus House

Platypus

Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Water Rat

Spinifex Hopping-mouse

Australian Nightlife

[[Tasmanian Devil

Red-tailed Phascogale

Bilby

Long-nosed Bandicoot

Long-nosed Potoroo

Brush-tailed Bettong

Common Ringtail Possum

Squirrel Glider

Yellow-bellied Glider

Feathertail Glider

Greater Stick-nest Rat

Black-footed Tree-rat

Plains Rat

Spinifex Hopping-mouse

Ghost Bat

Tawny Frogmouth

New Caledonian Giant Gecko

Australian Rainforest Aviary

Rainbow Lorikeet

Musk Lorikeet

Eclectus Parrot

Australian King Parrot

Crimson Rosella

Double-eyed Fig-Parrot

Paradise Riflebird

Wonga Pigeon

Topknot Pigeon

Superb Fruit-Dove

Emerald Dove

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

White-headed Pigeon

Red-browed Finch

Blue-faced Parrot-Finch

Buff-banded Rail

Black-breasted Buttonquail

Regent Bowerbird

Eastern Whipbird

Noisy Pitta

Black-faced Monarch

Pacific Koel

Australian Bush Birds

(Now removed to build Walk-through Avairy)

King Quail

Painted Buttonquail

Green Pygmy-Goose

White-browed Crake

Banded Lapwing

Pacific Golden Plover

Black-winged Stilt

Laughing Kookaburra

Sacred Kingfisher

Forest Kingfisher

Rainbow Bee-eater

Pheasant Coucal

Glossy Black-Cockatoo

Musk Lorikeet

Little Lorikeet

Turquoise Parrot

Swift Parrot

Superb Fruit-Dove

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove

Wonga Pigeon

Topknot Pigeon

Emerald Dove

Bar-shouldered Dove

Peaceful Dove

Brush Bronzewing

Crested Pigeon

Noisy Pitta

Eastern Spinebill

Noisy Friarbird

Blue-faced Honeyeater

New Holland Honeyeater

Striped Honeyeater

Crimson Chat

Variegated Fairy-wren

Eastern Yellow Robin

Hooded Robin

Grey Shrike-thrush

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike

Silvereye

Clamorous Reed-Warbler

Eastern Whipbird

Diamond Firetail

Red-browed Finch

Plum-headed Finch

Double-barred Finch

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

Satin Bowerbird

Regent Bowerbird

White-browed Woodswallow

Creatures of the Wollemi

Platypus

Short-beaked Echidna

Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby

Australasian Grebe

Hardhead

Masked Lapwing

Bush Stone-curlew

Little Pied Cormorant

Laughing Kookaburra

Sacred Kingfisher

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Gang-gang Cockatoo

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Eastern Rosella

Superb Parrot

Red-rumped Parrot

Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove

Wonga Pigeon

Brush Bronzewing

Dollarbird

Australasian Figbird

Noisy Pitta

Superb Lyrebird

Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike

White-browed Babbler

Satin Bowerbird

Regent Bowerbird

Striped Honeyeater

Regent Honeyeater

Diamond Firetail

Eastern Water Dragon

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard

Cunningham's Skink

Eastern Water Skink

Southern Leaf-tailed Gecko

Eastern Long-necked Turtle

Helmore Parrot Aviary

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Short-billed Black-Cockatoo

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

Gang-gang Cockatoo

Backyard to Bush

Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Red Kangaroo

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Spinifex Hopping-mouse

House Mouse

Guinea Pig

European Rabbit

Sheep

Goat

Pig

Emu

Budgerigar

Cockatiel

King Quail

Chicken

Wild Turkey

Children's python

Diamond Python

Red-bellied Black Snake

Coastal Bearded Dragon

Lace Monitor

Shingleback

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard

Eastern Snake-necked Turtle

Green Tree Frog

Dainty Green Tree Frog

Green and Golden Bell Frog

Splendid Rainbowfish

Pacific Blue-eye

Redback spider

Golden orb-web spider

Huntsman Spider

Bird-eating spider

Wolf Spider

White-tail spider

Net-casting spider

Black house spider

Daddy Long Legs

Desert Scorpion

Rainforest Scorpion

Praying Mantis

Black House Ant

Meat Ant

Grasshopper

Phasmids

Giant Burrowing Cockroach

American cockroach

Centipede

Garden snail

Mealworm

Other Wild Australia

One of the Dingos at Taronga (2007)

Red Kangaroo

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Tammar Wallaby

Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby

Goodfellow's Tree-kangaroo

Emu

Malleefowl

Sacred Kingfisher

Southern Cassowary

Eclectus Parrot

Red Lory

Rainbow Lorikeet

Purple-crowned Lorikeet

Red-rumped Parrot

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

Diamond Dove

Common Bronzewing

Blue-faced Honeyeater

Regent Honeyeater

Striated Grasswren

Saltwater Crocodile

Great Southern Oceans

Leopard Seal

California Sea Lion

Australian Sea Lion

Australian Fur Seal

New Zealand Fur Seal

Australian Pelican

Fiordland Penguin

Little Penguin

Moore Park Aviary

Northern Palm Squirrel

Mandarin Duck

Lady Amherst's Pheasant

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Luzon Bleeding-heart

Serpentaria

Freshwater Crocodile

Komodo Dragon

Mitchell's Water Monitor

Short-tailed Monitor

Eastern Water Dragon

Coastal Bearded Dragon

Chameleon Dragon

Central Netted Dragon

Tawny Crevice Dragon

Frilled Lizard

Basilisk

Sailfin Lizard

Green Iguana

Rhinoceros Iguana

Fiji Banded Iguana

Fiji Crested Iguana

Gila Monster

Anaconda

Jackson's Chameleon

Veiled Chameleon

Scheltopusik

Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard

Night Skink

Hosmer's Skink

Land Mullet

Cunningham's Skink

Giant Cave Gecko

Rough Knob-tailed Gecko

Tuatara

Reticulated Python

Amethystine Python

Green Python

Boa Constrictor

Taiwan Beauty Snake

Rhinoceros Viper

Eyelash Viper

Egyptian Cobra

Corn Snake

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Taipan

Red-bellied Black Snake

Black-headed Python

Stimson's Python

Collett's Snake

Fierce Snake

Desert Death Adder

Broad-headed Snake

Arafura File Snake

Star Tortoise

Elongate Tortoise

Matamata

Eastern Snake-necked Turtle

Northern Snake-necked Turtle

Broad-shelled River Turtle

River Cooter

Saw-shelled Turtle

Short-necked Turtle

Green Tree Frog

Red-eyed Tree Frog

White-lipped Tree Frog

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

Green and Golden Bell Frog

Cane Toad

South American Aviaries

Brazilian Agouti

Green-winged Macaw

Sun Conure

Nanday Conure

Brown-throated Conure

Razor-billed Curassow

African Waterhole

Sun Bear

Pygmy Hippopotamus

Brazilian Tapir

Common Zebra

Giraffe

Bongo

Barbary Sheep

Ostrich

Egyptian Goose

Helmeted Guineafowl

Chimpanzee Park

Chimpanzee

Gorilla Forest

Western Lowland Gorilla

De Brazza's Monkey

Wild Asia

Asian Elephant

Silvery Gibbon

Francois' Langur

Fishing Cat

Binturong

Oriental Small-clawed Otter

Chital

Malayan Tapir

Grey-headed Flying Fox

Green Peafowl

Kalij Pheasant

Golden Pheasant

Red Junglefowl

Chukar Partridge

King Quail

Buff-banded Rail

Mandarin Duck

Ruddy Shelduck

Water Whistling Duck

Cattle Egret

Glossy Ibis

Royal Spoonbill

Sacred Kingfisher

White-bibbed Ground Dove

Luzon Bleeding-heart Pigeon

Superb Fruit-Dove

Nicobar Pigeon

Pied Imperial Pigeon

Red Lory

Australasian Figbird

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Metallic Starling

Clamorous Reed-Warbler

Pekin Robin

Tri-coloured Mannikin

Java Sparrow

Koi

Rosy Barb

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Medaka

Himalayan Mountains

Red Panda

Snow Leopard

Himalayan Tahr

Cats of Asia

Fishing Cat in Taronga (2007)

African Lion

Sumatran Tiger

Binturong

"Dog Row"

Dhole

Fennec Fox

Pygmy Hippopotamus

Meerkat

Bear Canyon

Kodiak Bear

Giant Tortoises

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Andean Condor

The Taronga Zoo ferry wharf

The latest addition to Taronga Zoo is the newly awaited Meerkat pups.

Transport

The Taronga Zoo ferry services are, for many tourists, the preferred mode of travel to the zoo.[citation needed] Passengers disembarking at the ferry wharf, located on Bradleys Head Road, can enter the zoo via a cable car or connect with local State Transit bus services. Sydney Ferries offers combined "ZooLink" tickets covering ferry fares, park entry and cable car ride.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Taronga Zoo

Western Plains Zoo

Taronga by Victor Kelleher, a work of fiction using Taronga Zoo as its setting

References

^ adb online

^ The Book of Sydney Suburbs, Compiled by Frances Pollen, Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1990, Published in Australia ISBN 0-207-14495-8, page 181

^ National Multimedia

^ Daily Telegraph staff (July 25, 2008). "Taronga Zoo's new seal and sea lion show has a messages". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,24073097-5006009,00.html. 

^

External links

Official website

Zoo Friends, a supporter of the Zoo, offers membership and volunteer opportunities

Daily Telegraph feature-section on Taronga Zoo

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Categories: Zoos in Australia | Visitor attractions in SydneyHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from September 2008
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