20 our animals plants and physical assets

In September, Taronga celebrated the fi rst birth of a Yellow-bellied Glider at the Zoo. After many years of trying various breeding techniques, staff in the Australian Mammals Department were delighted when they spotted the new arrival riding on mum’s back.

Photograph courtesy Helen Pantenburg

Principal Areas of Activity

• Collection Management and Display

• Animal Records and Identification

• Veterinary Services

• Wildlife Rehabilitation

• Australian Registry of Wildlife Health

• Collection-based Research

• Animal Watch and Behavioural Enrichment

• Asset Management

• Capital Works and Planning

• Contract Maintenance

• Horticulture

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Objectives

Animal Collection• To maintain best-practice in

animal care and husbandry

• To present the world’s premier display of Australian native fauna

• To display a stimulating and diverse representation of wildlife that is also used as a conservation resource

• To apply the World Zoo Conservation Strategy and the ZPB Mission Statement

• To informatively and thoughtfully present the animals to visitors

• To cooperate with other conservation, education and research organisations

Physical Assets• To achieve exhibit design

excellence and world best-practice in animal presentation and welfare as well as visitor and staff amenities and safety

• To ensure a holistic and consistent approach to overall site design, exhibits and logistics for visitors

• To implement best practice in asset procurement, operation and maintenance

Horticulture• To provide a stimulating and

diverse botanic experience in line with exhibits that showcase bio-geographic regions

• To conserve and restore plant communities

• To help provide dietary and enrichment browse for the animals

Goals

Animal Collection To ensure that our animals receive the very best care and are displayed to provide stimulating experiences that promote learning and empathy with wildlife and the environment.

Physical Assets To achieve the highest design, construction and maintenance standards in order to enhance visitor experiences and safeguard the wellbeing of animals, visitors and staff.

Horticulture To develop the Zoos’ landscapes and botanic displays, interpreting ecological relationships between plants and animals and contributing to the conservation of plants.

04 05

Collection in conservation programs

Taronga Zoo

Western Plains Zoo

12%

16%

13%

18%

Threatened species in conservation programs

Taronga Zoo

Western Plains Zoo

46%

38%

48%

44%

Collection species which are classifi ed as threatened

Taronga Zoo

Western Plains Zoo

26%

43%

26%

41%

Performance Indicators

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Top: Elle Bombonato, Acting Manager – Animal Presentation Unit, Taronga Zoo.

“I love working alongside some of the most beautiful species of marine mammals in the world. Through the training and conditioning that we do at the Seal Theatre, we are able to enhance public awareness of these amazing animals through our presentations, and I go home knowing that I’ve made their day interesting and different.”

Opposite: Taronga’s Herpetofauna Division managed the hatching of seven Saltwater Crocodiles.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID GRAY – REUTERS

Life Sciences Activities at Taronga Zoo

Herpetofauna Seven Saltwater Crocodiles hatched in April and were displayed in the Zoo’s ‘SAP Serpentaria’.

The introduction of ‘Walk with the Giants’ tours, held inside the giant Aldabra Tortoise enclosure during summer, were extremely popular with Zoo visitors of all ages. Herpetofauna staff continued a program of daily keeper talks encouraging visitors to learn more about friendly pythons, tame lizards and inquisitive turtles. These talks, together with informative graphics and naturalistic displays, are designed to correct the misinformation that many Zoo visitors have about reptiles.

Marine MammalsSix penguin chicks were bred during September as part of the Sydney Harbour Little Penguin Project undertaken in collaboration with NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). This project aims to breed fledglings for release into the Manly Little Penguin population each year for three years. It is hoped these birds will return to that threatened colony to breed when they are sexually mature.

The Seal Theatre team began planning and training young seals for a new seal presentation to be introduced in 2006, while the Seal Bay team trained Leopard Seal, ‘Brooke,’ in complex behaviours as part of an echo-location research project undertaken in conjunction with the Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre (AMMRC).

Four Marine Mammals staff attended a five-day training seminar in November, organised through the Australian Society of Zookeeping (ASZK) and conducted by prominent American trainer, Ken Ramirez.

Animal Presentations The Bird Show welcomed new sponsor, QBE Insurance Group, in May with the partnership generating striking new images and branding for signage and uniforms.

Bird training for free flight and shows continued with “Jack” the Wedge-tailed Eagle now flying from the tower near the Zoo’s Andean Condor exhibit. A flock of Eclectus Parrots and a Whistling Kite were incorporated into the show and six juvenile Sulphur-crested Cockatoos recently began free flying around the Zoo in training for the show.

Bird acquisitions included a rescued juvenile Sea Eagle and two male Gang-Gang Cockatoos bred in Taronga’s Streets ‘Creatures of the Wollemi’ aviary last summer.

Bird Show staff, Peta Clarke and Claudia Bianchi, attended a training conference in California in January.

BirdsForest Kingfishers were successfully incubated in December and hand-reared to sub-adults. This is thought to be a first in aviculture. The three kingfishers are now fending for themselves and are intended for display in the Bush Birds aviaries.

Other breeding season successes included Striated Grass Wrens, Gang Gang Cockatoos, Regent Bower Birds, a Topknot Pigeon and an Eclectus Parrot.

The Rainforest Aviary makeover was completed in December thanks to a generous donation from Zoo Friends. The aviary is now home to more than 110 birds from 24 species.

A frog-breeding enclosure at the Bird House was refurbished to provide a home for 30 Wandering Whistling Ducklings from three separate clutches from ponds in the Zoo’s Wetlands. These ponds temporarily held 11 Mandarin Ducks prior to being displayed in the new ‘Wild Asia’ exhibit.

Staff member, David Wilkin, presented a poster at the Australasian Regional Association of Zoo Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) South East Asian Zoo Association (SEAZA) conference hosted by Zoos Victoria in May.

On a sad note, one of Taronga’s three remaining Flamingos died in February at the considerable age of 59.

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Exotic AnimalsOne of the most significant changes in the Life Sciences Branch was the formation of the Exotic Animal Division in late 2004, superseding the African and Asian Mammal Departments. There are three units in the new Division – Primates, Ungulates and Carnivores. This has provided greater flexibility, increased cross-training opportunities for staff and created one of the strongest skill bases for exotic animal husbandry in the region.

Primate Unit – The highlight was the successful birth of female Western Lowland Gorilla, “Kimya”, in January. This was the third breeding success since the gorilla group’s arrival at Taronga in 1996. Two new primate species were imported – the leaf-eating Francois Langur and the critically endangered Silvery Gibbon, both of which have entered regional breeding programs and will make their display debut in ‘Wild Asia’.

Ungulate Unit – The most notable achievement was the relocation of Taronga’s resident Asian Elephants “Burma” and “Heman” to Western Plains Zoo in May. Thanks to careful planning and teamwork, both elephants travelled extremely well and settled into their new life in Dubbo. Significantly, this enabled the two elephants to be housed together following many years of separation due to the constraints of the former exhibit. A 22 month-old Giraffe, “Zarafa”, joined the Taronga herd from Western Plains Zoo in May. Her road journey from out west was high profile and hugely popular. People in towns from Dubbo to Sydney lined the streets to witness her progress and wish her well.

Carnivore Unit – Significant works were undertaken at ‘Snow Leopard Mountain’ including landscaping and structure improvements. This was timely given that breeding had been prioritised for the Zoo’s pair in 2005. The unit welcomed ‘Natasha,’ an Indian Crested Porcupine, in February 2005 – a species that had not been displayed at the Zoo for many decades.

Australian MammalsA genetically valuable Tasmanian Devil was

transferred to Trowanna, an ARAZPA

institution in the north of Tasmania, to

participate in a breeding program. The

program aims to boost population numbers

that have been decimated by the disease

known as Devil Facial Tumour, about which

little is known. In May, the Tasmanian

Government proposed that Tasmanian

Devils be listed as “vulnerable” under state

threatened species legislation.

Taronga’s Platypus pair successfully

produced another set of twins in February.

The male and female offspring are active

and healthy and have boosted the Zoo’s

Platypus numbers to eight.

The Nightlife exhibit’s animal population

continued to evolve and thrive as evidenced

by the successful breeding of the Yellow-

bellied Glider in September. The breeding

of this species was a Zoo first and another

milestone for Nocturnal House staff.

Staff continued to hand-raise orphaned animals such as wombats (which are sent

to a half-way house when old enough prior to eventual release in the wild), Long-nosed Bandicoot and Koalas.

‘Backyard to Bush’‘Backyard to Bush’ continued to contribute strongly to Taronga’s environmental education role by delivering a series of lectures on the ‘Evolution of Australian Biota’ to 12 groups of international students and a sustainability ‘Eco-Footprint’ program with Mosman Council.

The invertebrate display was expanded with the introduction of several spider species including Bird-Eating, Mouse, Wolf and Trapdoor Spiders. These new displays, a very successful Spider Month promotion and the introduction of a spider phobia course have helped raise awareness of invertebrates at Taronga Zoo.

Plans for breeding Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombats continued with new digital monitoring equipment being used to gain information that may prove beneficial for application to the critically endangered Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat species.

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Life Sciences Activities at Western Plains Zoo

Major animal news at Western Plains Zoo included:

• the birth of the first-ever Bongo, female “Binti” in August,

• the arrival of female Bongo “Nambala” from Taronga Zoo in May to take part in the breeding program,

• the birth of a female Common Wombat to “Boney” and “Roxy” in October. This pair had previously produced twins in 2001. The female offspring was sent to Taronga Zoo’s Education Centre in January,

• the arrival in August of a pair of Oriental Small-clawed Otters from Adelaide Zoo and National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra. These animals will form a breeding pair as part of the recommendations the ARAZPA co-ordinated program for this species,

• the transfer of male Tiger “Bakkar”, who was on loan for 18 months from Dreamworld, Queensland, to National Zoo and Aquarium in September,

• the export of male Siamang “Harapan” to Orana Wildlife Park, New Zealand to form a new breeding pair,

• the first successful birth of Cheetah cubs for 15 years at the Zoo. This was a heartening result following a coordinated plan to overcome animal incompatibility via strategic separations, isolations and reintroductions. First time parents, female “Malika” and male “Jala” produced a litter of two male and two female cubs in October. All of these cubs are now being successfully raised by “Malika” who arrived at the Zoo in February 2003 from South Africa,

• the birth of a male Scimitar Oryx in December. He was the first offspring for sire “Nwindi” who arrived from the Victoria’s Open Range Zoo (VORZ) in 2003,

• the birth of a female Grant’s Zebra in February by sire “Tano”, his first offspring since arriving from VORZ in 2003,

• the births of two female Southern White Rhinoceros, “Amira” and “Inyeti”, in January. Both young are important legacies of sire “Thomas”, one of Western Plains Zoo’s original White Rhinos, which died in December 2003. They will provide a significant contribution of his genetic line to the Zoo’s population. “Amira” was handraised while her mother “Intombi” recovered from a gestational illness.

“Amira” is now healthy and strong and is being integrated with the rest of the group following “Intombi’s” treatment by Western Plains Zoo veterinary team,

• the births of the ninth and 10th Black Rhinoceros calves at the Zoo in the 10-year breeding history of this conservation program. Male “Sentwali”, born in October was the first successful birth for mother “Dongajumu.” Male “Mpenzi” was born in February and he is the first offspring to sire “Kwanzaa” who is presently at Taronga Zoo,

• the release, in conjunction with Department of Environment and Heritage in April, of 18 Zoo-bred Malleefowl. These birds were released at Nombinnie/Round Hill Nature Reserve, NSW after the previous successful release in 2003,

• the birth of another male Giraffe, “Kindu”, in May. This was the 15th calf for mother “Andrea”,

• the transfer of female Giraffe “Zarafa” to Taronga Zoo in May,

• the arrival of Asian Elephants “Heman” and “Burma” in May from Taronga Zoo. Their newly renovated exhibit is alongside their African Elephant neighbours, long time Zoo residents “Yum Yum”, “Cuddles” and “Cherri”,

• the death of “Faye” the Giraffe in August due to age-related problems. She was almost 29 years old and was among the first Giraffes brought to Western Plains from Taronga Zoo in 1976,

• the unfortunate deaths of two male Maned Wolves. “Caine” died after being bitten on the top lip by a Black snake in October and “Chaco” died from peritonitis in March,

• the death of Przewalski’s Horse “Yashtar” due to age-related illness at age 23, and

• the unexpected death one of the oldest female White Rhinoceros “Alexandra” on Christmas Day due to a bacterial infection.

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Animal Records and IdentificationTaronga and Western Plains Zoos’ animal collections have been maintained on the international computer database, the Animal Records Keeping System (ARKS), which is administered by the International Species Information System (ISIS). The database enabled animal managers to make well-informed species management decisions and develop effective Captive Management Plans.

Veterinary Services at Taronga ZooWith the development of the new ‘Wild Asia’ exhibit and other Master Plan programs, 455 animals passed through Taronga’s quarantine facility. These included Silvery Gibbons, Francois Langurs, Indian Crested Porcupine, Axis Deer, Green Peafowl, Lady Amherst Pheasants and Pekin Robins.

Nine Asian elephants entered pre-export quarantine in Thailand in October. Auckland Zoo’s female Asian elephant was later withdrawn from quarantine due to her unpredictable and unsocial behaviour within the group. Very stringent quarantine restrictions and testing requirements were imposed by Biosecurity Australia. Zoo Veterinarians completed testing for tuberculosis, foot and mouth disease, surra and parasites. Veterinary Quarantine Centre (VQC) staff also assisted with the transfer of Taronga’s Asian Elephants “Heman” and “Burma” to Western Plains Zoo. This required the preparation of contingency plans for veterinary protocols and the strategic use of sedation during transport.

Annual vaccination of the Chimpanzees and Orang-utans against encephalomyocarditis virus continued. Since the development of this vaccine and the implementation of an annual vaccination program (in conjunction with a rigid pest prevention and control program) none of these animals have succumbed to this fatal infection.

Animal diets provide for the nutrient requirements of the species as well as their psychological and physical health needs.

Obesity and fat necrosis in Quokkas, dental calculus formation on the teeth of the Malayan Sun Bears, suspected vitamin A deficiency in the Saltwater Crocodiles and metabolic bone disease in Nicobar Pigeons were diagnosed. Diets for these animals were reviewed and inadequacies addressed.

A number of infectious diseases posed significant challenges for the VQC team. Significant cases included Psittacid herpes virus in Red-and-Green Macaws, ophidian inclusion body disease in Pythons, mycobacteriosis in Green-and-Golden Bell Frogs and a number of bird and small mammal species and psittacine beak and feather disease virus in an Eclectus Parrot and Sun Conures.

It is now well recognised that animals in zoos live well beyond the longevity of their wild counterparts. Taronga Zoo has some very old animals including the 29 year-old Kodiak Bears, 60-plus year-old Chilean Flamingos, three Chimpanzees in their 50’s, a 48 year-old Orang-utan and 29 year-old New Zealand Fur seals, to name a few. These animals have had numerous health checks and are under treatment for various conditions including arthritis. Despite their age, they still enjoy good health.

Veterinary Services at Western Plains ZooInteresting clinical cases this year included a mammary carcinoma in a Dromedary Camel, corneal dystrophy in a Galapagos Tortoise and an outbreak of contagious ecthyma in the Barbary Sheep herd. A gratifying challenge for the VQC team was the successful handrearing of a White Rhinoceros calf, a first for an Australian zoo.

Significant reproductive success underscored the veterinary contribution to reproductive management over the past year. Reproductive evaluation by semen and hormone analysis undertaken by the VQC team proved integral to breeding success in the Cheetah and White Rhinoceros groups.

The Zoo’s Assisted Reproductive Laboratory has recruited Canadian reproductive biologist, Tamara Keeley. Tamara has special

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Top: Taronga’s Rainforest Aviary received a much-needed makeover, thanks to a generous donation from Zoo Friends. Hundreds of new trees, shrubs and ferns were planted to create a unique rainforest environment for over 110 birds from 24 species.

PHOTO COURTESY GARY RAMAGE

Opposite: Taronga Zoo’s elephant team, including Gary Miller, Robert Joyes, Ben Britton and Joe Haddock, managed the safe transfer of the Zoo’s Asian Elephants, “Burma” and “Heman”, to their new home at Western Plains Zoo.

PHOTO COURTESY MICHELLE BRITTON.

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expertise in the laboratory assessment of zoo animal hormones. This information can be used for the routine reproductive management of zoo animals, for reproductive research and for the investigation of reproductive problems. Our goal is to expand the capacity of the laboratory and build it into a commercial service for the benefit of the region’s zoo and wildlife management community.

The VQC team continued its commitment to veterinary and animal management education by means of its veterinary student externship program and involvement in wildlife-based courses offered by the University of Sydney and Charles Sturt University.

Wildlife RehabilitationThe Wildlife Clinic at Taronga Zoo treated 1,120 sick, injured and orphaned native animals during the year that were rescued by wildlife authorities and members of the community. Public interest in these activities is always positive, particularly the aspect of community involvement in wildlife releases and habitat protection programs.

The Unit Supervisor, Elizabeth Hall, umpired two National Oiled Wildlife Exercises in Kurnell, NSW and Cairns, Queensland, at the request of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Queensland Department of Conservation in their efforts to improve preparedness for oil spills in Australian waters in conjunction with the National Plan to Combat Pollution of the Sea by Oil.

Significant wildlife cases that were successfully treated included four Powerful Owls, a large number of endangered sea turtles including six Green Turtles, two Flatback Turtles, one Hawksbill Turtle and one Loggerhead Turtle, five Sacred Kingfishers treated and released, a juvenile White-bellied Sea-eagle, Southern Giant Petrel, Northern Brown Bandicoot, two fledgling Little Penguins from the threatened Manly colony, Peregrine and Brown Falcons and two Yellow-bellied Gliders.

Involvement with the Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association continued with the treatment of injured pelagic birds, assistance with offshore research, catching and banding albatross and petrels and

co-ordination of a two day Seabird Workshop for wildlife organisations.

Western Plains Zoo also maintained its commitment to wildlife rehabilitation with the assessment of more than 250 native animals including a Squirrel Glider, an Eastern Quoll and numerous Koalas, macropods, reptiles and raptors. The Wildlife Clinic, coordinated through the VQC, continued to offer a community service by accepting sick and compromised wildlife from members of the public and assessing their suitability for rehabilitation and release. The service plays a useful conservation role in providing a window into Australian wildlife health and is an important interface between wildlife and the national wildlife health surveillance body, the Australian Wildlife Health Network (AWHN).

Australian Registry of Wildlife HealthSince its inception in 1985, the Registry has been committed to the preservation of Australia’s biodiversity through increased understanding of the interactions between animals, the environment and disease-causing agents.

Highlights of the past year included the publication of the Wildlife Health Investigation Manual and the development of the Australian Registry of Wildlife Health website, www.arwh.org

The Wildlife Health Investigation Manual was created to assist biologists, field staff, wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians investigate and better understand wildlife health. Australian fauna is quite distinct from domestic species and from wildlife in other parts of the world. Exotic diseases in wildlife could manifest in unexpected ways. Wildlife can be an important indicator of emerging diseases. The manual is aimed at improving disease observation, recognition, notification and diagnosis in wildlife.

The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health website was developed to allow online access to Registry’s resources. The site is an interactive medium whereby people can add their own interesting cases and access existing case reports.

Top: Australian Mammals Division staff at Taronga Zoo regularly hand-raise native orphans such as “Katie” the Long-nosed Bandicoot.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID GRAY – REUTERS

Opposite: For the first time in over 15 years, Western Plains Zoo successfully bred Cheetah cubs, with two male and two females arriving in early October. Their mother “Malika” arrived from South Africa in 2003 to bring new genetic diversity to the regional breeding program.

PHOTO COURTESY JON REID – THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

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Animal Watch And Behavioural Enrichment ProgramThis program continued to monitor psychological wellbeing of the Zoo animals and to facilitate the implementation of environmental enrichment. The employment of work experience volunteers and regular meetings of the Taronga Zoo Environmental Enrichment Committee has expanded the program’s environmental enrichment role.

Significant projects undertaken this year included:

• monitoring the arrival of the second Platypus pair in Streets ‘Creatures of the Wollemi’,

• monitoring the effects of separating the two young male gorillas from the breeding group and their different enrichment requirements,

• pre and post-birth observations of female gorilla, “Kriba” and her female infant, “Kimya”,

• monitoring the introduction of a new male Golden Cat to the resident female,

• installing camera surveillance equipment to monitor the Long-beaked Echidna after it was moved to an off-exhibit area,

• contributing to the Guidelines for the Management of Elephants in Australasian Zoos including major revision of the behaviour and environmental enrichment sections,

• monitoring the effects of the move of Taronga’s Asian Elephants to Western Plains Zoo. MSc Veterinary student, George Madani, is carrying out three stages of observations: before the move, immediately after the move and six months after the move,

• pre-occupancy studies of activity and enclosure use on the mammal species moving into ‘Wild Asia’ and,

• installing a lure in the Western Plains Zoo Cheetah exhibit in April to provide “Malika”

and her four cubs with extensive behavioural enrichment and exercise – and a wonderful spectacle for visitors.

Asset Management and Development

Capital Works and Planning at Taronga ZooCapital works continued to be undertaken in accordance with Taronga Zoo’s Master Plan Implementation Strategy. The works program is supported by the Department of Commerce’s procurement risk management initiatives. Contractors working on major capital works projects have been drawn from the NSW Contractor Best Practice Scheme.

Major projects undertaken this year included:

Taronga Food Market

The Taronga Food Market opened to Zoo visitors in March and was officially opened by the Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Sandra Nori MP, in April.

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Left: Construction of Taronga Zoo’s Master Plan project ‘Wild Asia’ continued this year, with over 17,500 new shrubs and trees being planted to create a rainforest environment.

Right: A juvenile Southern Giant Petrel is released back into the wild by Taronga’s Rehabilitation Supervisor, Libby Hall. The bird was released beyond Sydney Heads with the help of the NSW Water Police.

PHOTO COURTESY PETER RAE –

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

‘Wild Asia’

The past year saw major progress in construction of the $40 million ‘Wild Asia’ exhibit, a themed rainforest habitat comprising numerous exhibits and support facilities to display a wide range of rare Asian animals. The work is due for completion in late 2005.

‘Great Southern Oceans’

Tenders were called and the contract let for construction of ‘Great Southern Oceans’, a proposed $54 million exhibit for a variety of marine animals such as seals and penguins and a new seal theatre. Construction is planned to commence in July 2005 for completion in 2007/2008.

Temporary Holding Pools for Seals

These pools are now in the final stages of completion. The four pools alongside the Seal Theatre will provide temporary housing for the animals relocated from ‘Seal Bay’ due to the commencement of construction on ‘Great Southern Oceans’.

Taronga Zoo Top Entrance Redevelopment and Car Park

The Development Application (DA) for this important Master Plan project was submitted for approval in April and is currently with the Department of Planning (DIPNR) for assessment.

Capital Works and Planning at Western Plains ZooThe new Asian Elephant exhibit, located alongside the African Elephant exhibit, was completed in March for Taronga’s relocated elephants.

The last of the new signage and interpretative items will be installed in October finalising this whole-of-site project.

The expanded and refurbished ‘Zoofari Lodge’ opened in November. This project encompassed a completely new main house and the addition of five new Serengeti lodges, bringing the total number of lodges to 12.

Asset Maintenance Services

Work continued on the Zoos’ Asset Maintenance Strategic Plan with a full Asset Register being established, all routine maintenance identified and a full condition report prepared.

Life Sciences projects included the repair, re-meshing and repainting of ‘Snow Leopard Mountain’, a new browse leaf fridge, re-lining and waterproofing of the ponds at the VQC, shade covering and repainting at the top seal pools, upgrade of Orang-utan den slides and ventilation at the Animal Presentation Unit.

Asset maintenance works to the value of $3.2M were completed.

At Taronga Zoo these included:

• horticultural remedial maintenance at ‘Amazonia’, ‘Koala Walkabout’ and lawns at Streets ‘Creatures of the Wollemi’,

• repair and upgrade of directional and interpretive signage, and

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Below: Warren Townsden, Senior Horticultural Technician, Taronga Zoo

“Taronga Zoo is such a rewarding place to work. Ensuring that our animals receive their dietary and enrichment needs and taking care of our environment always challenges me to think differently and explore new options.”

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• replacement of air conditioning on level one of the Taronga Centre.

At Western Plain Zoo these included:

• installation of roof anchors to meet OH&S requirements,

• exhibit maintenance,

• irrigation upgrade and maintenance, and

• repairs and renewal of sections of the circuit road.

Horticulture

The Horticulture teams at Taronga and Western Plains Zoos continued the mammoth task of maintaining and improving the Zoos’ botanic collection both inside and outside the exhibits. Taronga’s ‘Wild Asia’ project alone includes an additional 17,500 plants that the horticulture team will care for.

Other major projects included:

• landscaping of ‘Snow Leopard Mountain’,

• mulching and cleaning of the Zoo gardens,

• landscaping and habitat renovation works for the wombat and echidna exhibits,

• establishing a new plantation for Koala browse,

• working with ‘Backyard to Bush’ staff on their ‘bush tucker’ plants and herb gardens,

• on-going co-ordination of Taronga’s Bush Care Group,

• landscaping of the ‘Gorilla Forest’,

• continued maintenance of the floral displays at the Floral Clock and Main Entrance of Taronga Zoo, and

• provision of dietary and enrichment browse for the animal collection.

At Western Plains Zoo the following works were undertaken:

• extensive mulching of garden beds including at White Rhinos, African Wild Dogs, Bongo, the Kurrajong plantation, Asian Wetlands exhibit and elephant viewing tower areas,

• extensive planting around ‘Zoofari Lodge’,

• regeneration of car park gardens and perimeter road islands,

• wood chipping of mounds and planting behind the lion exhibit,

• development of gates and landscaped area for ‘Big Cat Encounters’,

• pruning/removal of trees to avoid risk associated with deadfall and toimprove access for coaches and heavy vehicles, and

• top dressing of picnic grounds and turfed areas throughout the Zoo.