The Sumatran Tiger is the smallest of the tiger subspecies.
Taronga Blog
Keyword: taronga western plains zoo
Grab your Zoo Grooves tickets now (31/8/2010)
The hottest tickets in town are now on sale at Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s main entrance for Zoo Grooves on Saturday 2 October 2010 at 1:30pm during the October long weekend.
Prime Possum visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo (30/8/2010)
Prime Possum and the Saturday Club visited Taronga Western Plains Zoo this week to film segments for an upcoming show.
Students FESS Up as Future Endangered Species Scientists at Taronga Western Plains Zoo (26/8/2010)
We’ve just finished hosting visits last week by students from around the Western Region who came to celebrate National Science Week.
Zoo Veterinarian Dr Larry Vogelnest talks about a changing world (23/7/2010)
Come along and listen to guest speaker Dr Larry Vogelnest, Senior Veterinarian at Taronga Zoo, speak about Climate Change at the Animal in Art forum titled A Changing World, Thursday 5 August 2010at 7pm at the Western Plains Cultural Centre.
Let's groove at Zoo Grooves (22/7/2010)
Mental as Anything will headline Zoo Grooves this October long weekend, Saturday 2 October 2010 at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Researching wild Dugongs in Moreton Bay (1/7/2010)
In June, with 17 other researchers, I helped catch 20 wild dugongs in Moreton Bay, off Brisbane in Queensland to check their health and reproductive status.
Keeping warm in the cold weather (30/6/2010)
As Dubbo’s temperature plunge there’s been a number of frosty starts to the mornings, so some of the animals are finding ways to beat the winter chills and stay warm.
Helping to Save the Sumatran Rhino (25/6/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo and its visitors have helped raise over $1200 at Rhino May Day last month to help save the critically endangered Sumatran Rhino.
Kufara is growing up fast (24/6/2010)
Over the past few weeks, our new Black Rhino calf Kufara has grown in confidence as well as size. We estimate that she would now weigh at least four times her birth weight and be around 120 kilograms.
Four calves and more possibly on the way (22/6/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has welcomed its fourth Eland calf in the past three months. Born on Friday 11 June 2010 this male calf is now coming out from its hiding place and mingling with the herd including the three other calves. Once born female Eland will hide their offspring because in the wild they would be easy prey for animals such as Lions.
Hippos enjoy a change of scenery (22/6/2010)
While the Hippo Lake and Beach area undergoes some maintenance, the Hippos are enjoying a change of scenery in their temporary home.
Seeing and supporting Indian Rhinos in the wild (9/6/2010)
Earlier this year I travelled to Assam in north-eastern India to visit Manas and Kaziranga National Parks on the three week trip for the Asian Rhino Project and the International Rhino Foundation to inspect work on two conservation projects the Taronga Conservation Society Australia (TCSA) is helping to fund.
Wombat recovering well after being hit by car (28/5/2010)
In early April, a member of the public brought in a wombat which had been hit by a car. The wombat had head injuries and couldn’t use his legs correctly.
Cheetah gets a health check (26/5/2010)
Today Ushindi, one of our hand-raised Cheetah born in 2008, had his annual health check. We were keen to check his development and to ensure he was fit and well.
Breeding time for White Rhinos (14/5/2010)
Our White Rhinoceros herd is doing well with Nadira the last calf born at the Zoo recently turning two. She’s getting closer to being the same size as her mother.
Kufara's horn starts to grow (14/5/2010)
Rhinos are born without horns - for obvious reasons! The first horn begins to grow within a week or two, followed by the rear horn developing at around three months of age.
Zoo supports Rhino May Day (14/5/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is supporting Rhino May Day to help raise awareness for the plight of the five Rhino species in the wild.
Amala - Big and Beautiful (11/5/2010)
Amala, the Greater One -Horned Rhinoceros arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo last year from Los Angeles. She is a future breeding partner for Dora, our adult male Greater One-Horned Rhino. Amala is only four years old and weighs approx 1200kgs. We will consider introducing this pair when Amala is a little older and approaching 1600kgs. Amala has settled into her new home quite well and is becoming comfortable with her daily routine.
Taronga celebrates the dedication of its volunteers during National Volunteer Week (10/5/2010)
Taronga celebrates the dedication of its volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Check out the video and learn more about the Zoos’ quiet achievers
Mum's the word at the Zoo (7/5/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has a number of reasons to celebrate Mother’s Day this year with an abundance of first time mothers giving birth over the past few months!
A morning walk elephant style (6/5/2010)
This morning our two female African Elephants, Yum Yum, (41) and Cuddles (38), enjoyed another early morning walk around the zoo. The mornings are getting cooler now and so they are keen to get out and get the blood pumping.
Celebrating World Tapir Day (30/4/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has celebrated World Tapir Day with a daily keeper talk this week. Hundreds of people across during the week came to learn about Tapirs which are the frequently misidentified species.
Bison Leotie heads south of the border (29/4/2010)
Born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 2008 to Shoshone and Cherokee Bob, Leotie, has been a popular animal in the herd during her time at the Zoo, but now it is time for her to move out of home away from mum and dad. to a new herd.
Baby Rhino named Kufara (29/4/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s bouncing new Black Rhino calf has now been named Kufara, meaning "happiness” in the African Shona language.
Indah the Sumatran Tiger makes public debut (28/4/2010)
Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Frank Sartor today visited Taronga Western Plains Zoo to announce the official public debut of Indah the Sumatran Tiger.
Help name our Black Rhino (21/4/2010)
Grant Denyer from Sunrise today visited Taronga Western Plains Zoo to launch the naming competition for the female Black Rhino calf, which was born on Wednesday 17 February 2010.
We have been nominated for an award! (21/4/2010)
We are excited! Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Zoofari Lodge has been nominated for the 2010 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards for the Getaway Best Family Experience.
Help name our Black Rhino calf (21/4/2010)
Grant Denyer from Sunrise today visited Taronga Western Plains Zoo to launch the naming competition for our new female Black Rhino calf, which was born on Wednesday 17 February 2010.
Black Rhino calf makes public debut (13/4/2010)
Today was an exciting day with the Black Rhino calf making her public debut, much to the delight of visitors in the Zoo. The calf, which we have affectionately nicknamed Effie, continues to go from strength to strength.
One of our Tasmanian Devils needs a name (7/4/2010)
Can you help us name one of our Tasmanian Devils?
Black Rhino calf takes to the mud (26/3/2010)
As the weather sits at a warm 30 degrees in Dubbo, Bakhita and her five week old calf have been cooling off with a roll in the mud wallow in their off display exhibit. Whilst at first the calf only wanted to walk through the mud and splash about, after seeing mum take a roll in the wallow, she to thought it would be a good thing to do. After a good five minutes of frolicking in the mud with mum the little calf decided it was time for a well earned rest, plonking herself down by mum for a little morning snooze.
Catch me if you can (26/3/2010)
Playing chases is a pretty regular occurrence on the Cheetah exhibit at present with the four cubs full of energy, especially in the morning.
Rare Cheetah Cubs come out to play (22/3/2010)
In October 2009 Taronga Western Plains Zoo welcomed four rare Cheetah cubs which are now out on exhibit for visitors to see. Two of the cubs have been identified as the rare King Cheetah, which is a colour variation of Cheetah.
A special birth for a Black Rhino (22/3/2010)
Taronga Western Plains Zoo has welcomed the arrival of a female calf born in the early hours of Wednesday 17 February 2010 to first-time mother Bakhita.
Arna and Gigi settle in (11/3/2010)
It has been a little over two years since Arna and Gigi, the ex-circus Asian Elephants arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Both girls are doing very well and have settled into their permanent home.
Cuddles shows off her new skills (2/3/2010)
It is often said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks however at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Cuddles the African Elephant who is 39 years old, is proving this theory wrong having learnt how to kick and pass a football.
Bulldogs meet Dubbo's exotic locals at the Zoo (1/3/2010)
Whilst in Dubbo for a trial match against the Canberra Raiders, the Canterbury Bulldogs took time out from training to visit Taronga Western Plains Zoo. The team came face to face with some of the Zoo’s most iconic animals including the Giraffe, African Elephants and Sumatran Tigers.
Rumbin the Hippo turns 24 (25/2/2010)
Celebrations were in order this week for one of our Nile Hippos – Rumbin, who turned 24!
One, Two, Three Giraffe Calves (19/2/2010)
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo is having a baby boom! Three Giraffe calves in three months is very rare and definitely an adorable sight.
Zoos' Devil Program Produces 22 Joeys (18/2/2010)
Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos’ Tasmanian Devil breeding program has now produced 22 Devil joeys since late 2008.
Love blossoms this Valentine's Day for Viktor (12/2/2010)
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Viktor the Przewalski’s Horse stallion has received an early Valentine’s Day gift with two females being introduced to him in his off display paddock.
Breeding commences for Tasmanian Devils (10/2/2010)
The third breeding season for the Tasmanian Devil insurance population at Taronga Western Plains Zoo is in full swing with a number of pairs already together.
Lace Monitor heads back into the wild (5/2/2010)
A Lace Monitor that was brought into the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital in late 2009 after being hit by a car has received his final check up and been released back into the wild.
Rare foal finds his feet in the herd (5/2/2010)
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Now almost a month old, young Bataar, the male Przewalski’s Horse foal, is starting to mingle with the herd more however he still doesn’t venture too far from his mum’s side.
Orphaned Dusty Moorhen growing fast (8/1/2010)
Orphaned animals are regularly brought to Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital however; it is not very often that they are a baby Dusty Moorhen. This young Dusty Moorhen was brought to the Zoo by a member of the public after being found on its own at the Narromine weir.
Lace Montior gets back on his feet (6/1/2010)
A Lace Monitor (often referred to as a Goanna) was brought into Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital in early December by a member of the public after it was hit by a car.
Amani and Thembi enjoy their new home (24/12/2009)
On a recent trip to Werribee Zoo we headed out onto the African Savannah exhibit to catch up with male Giraffe boys Amani and Thembi, who were transferred to Werribee Zoo from Taronga Western Plains Zoo in May this year.
Wapiti calf an early Christmas present for the Zoo (24/12/2009)
Christmas has come early at the Zoo in Dubbo with the birth of a Wapiti calf…could this be one of Santa's potential new recruits?
Zoo sees double with Giraffe births (23/12/2009)
Over the past month we have welcomed two new babies calves to the Giraffe herd.
Female Greater One-Horned Rhino arrives (2/12/2009)
Earlier this year Taronga Western Plains Zoo brought a three year old female Greater One-Horned Rhino named Amala from Los Angeles Zoo in the USA. Amala travelled 36 hours by air and road to join Dora our resident male Greater One-Horned Rhino.
Zoo's African Elephants cool off in the pool (19/11/2009)
As the temperature in Dubbo hovers above 35 degrees everyday this week the African Elephants decided to take full advantage of the hot weather by going for a swim in their pool.
Warm weather sees birth of Bison calf (13/11/2009)
In the early hours of the morning on Tuesday this week, the Zoo welcomed a male Bison calf into the world.
Handraising three bundles of joy is hard work (12/11/2009)
Currently two male Eastern Grey joeys and a male Swamp Wallaby are in my care being hand raised.
Juvenile Barking Owl gets a helping hand (11/11/2009)
Currently we are caring for a young Barking Owl who was brought into the Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital by a WIRES carer.
Zoo's oldest Giraffe celebrates a birthday (20/10/2009)
Today is a special day at Taronga Western Plains Zoo as our oldest Giraffe, Andrea turns 24. Andrea is the oldest of three generations of Giraffe which are all on exhibit together at the Zoo.
Andrea Giraffe turns 24 (19/10/2009)
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Today is a special day at Taronga Western Plains Zoo as our oldest Giraffe, Andrea turns 24. Andrea is the oldest of three generations of Giraffe which are all on exhibit together at the Zoo.
Red Kangaroo Joey gets a helping hand (16/10/2009)
Freddie the Red Kangaroo Joey came into the Zoo's Wildlife Hospital at about 11 months of age.
A Stripy Arrival (7/10/2009)
We are all very excited by the arrival of a little filly Zebra foal. The foal has been named Zahra which means flower in Swahili.
Koala Joeys Make their Debut Out of the Pouch (30/9/2009)
Meet Allambie and Lilli Pilli, our two Koala joeys which have just made their debut out of the pouch. The pair are between 10 to 12 months of age and are becoming more independent as they grow. Allambie is a bit shy and is not to fond of the keepers while Lilli Pilli is the opposite and often enjoys some leaves held up by the keeper for her to munch.
Spring Has Sprung with The First Babies at the Zoo (25/9/2009)
Keepers today started their usual morning rounds only to find three tiny Barbary Sheep lambs had been born overnight. The mothers and their lambs are all doing well and we've already seen the young ones suckling from mum which is a great sign. The babies are very cute and are hiding in the rocky areas on the exhibit with mum keeping a close eye but over coming days they will start to get a bit more adventurous.
Tasmanian Devil Joeys Becoming Explorers (23/9/2009)
The Tasmanian Devil joeys at Taronga Western Plains Zoo are becoming more independent as each day passes. All four joeys are still tending to be more nocturnal, only coming out from hiding in the late afternoon. They're very curious characters and are starting to explore their area at night on their own. Mum's pretty happy to watch them from a safe distance, letting them get into all kinds of mischief.
Endangered Foursome Growing Up Fast (16/9/2009)
Meet our four African Wild Dog pups which are growing up fast!
Zoos mercy mission for Devils (19/12/2008)
The Tasmanian Devil is the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world and is found in the wild only in Tasmania.
