It has just been over 100 days since Taronga Zoo staff welcomed Khari, Luzuko, Zuri, Ayanna and Malika into the Taronga family and over the past couple of months the cubs have met some incredible milestones. This includes learning how to play with one another as well as climbing! They are also now consuming a more meat-based diet, however they do enjoy a regular suckle or two from their mum, Maya – particularly little Malika!
Since birth, all five cubs have gone from strength to strength. The two boys, Khari and Luzuko are now weighing in between 13.5kg and 17kg and the three girls, Zuri, Ayanna and Malika are weighing in between 13.4kg-13.7kg. At birth, all five cubs were weighing in between 2.4kg and 2.9kg.
Over the next couple of weeks, the cubs will continue to grow in confidence and begin to vocalize.
A tiny, short-beaked echidna puggle found alone and abandoned on a property in Weja, New South Wales, Australia, is being hand-raised at Sydney’s Taronga Wildlife Hospital.
Taronga Veterinary Nurse Liz McConnell has become the puggle’s dedicated surrogate mum. She takes the little echidna home at night and to work each morning in a makeshift burrow, fashioned from a climate-controlled esky.
Taronga Zoo Sydney is brimming with pride to announce the public debut of five beautiful Lion cubs at its iconic African Savannah. The cubs, who are now 12 weeks old, have well and truly found their paws and are ready for a summer of fun as they grow in confidence.
The five cubs were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato in August and are now weighing in between 11-13kg each. The youngsters have now been named, with the public coming onboard to name one male cub Khari meaning ‘like a king’ in Swahili while the other was named Luzuko, meaning ‘glory’ which is of South African origin and was picked by Taronga’s carnivore keepers.
The Swahili names of Malika, Zuri and Ayanna were selected for the three female cubs and were chosen by generous Zoo supporters. Malika means ‘like a queen’, Zuri means ‘beautiful’ and Ayanna means ‘beautiful flower’. All three names were chosen in recognition of the African Lion’s native homeland.
Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman said like all youngsters, the cubs are growing at a rapid rate: “It’s been such an honour to watch these five precious Lion cubs as they develop their own unique personalities. It has been over 18 years since we’ve heard the pitter-patter of Lion cub paws at Taronga Zoo and it the first time ever we have had a full pride in the new African Savannah,” said Ginman.
“The cubs have changed so much over the course of their little lives. Our guests are going to be in for a real treat every time they come to visit and see the cubs – with so many milestones on the horizon, no two visits will be the same,” said Ginman.
Just like any newborns, the cubs have bursts of activity followed by napping, cuddling up with one another, and staying close to mum until they find their confidence. For this reason, mum and cubs will only have access to this exhibit for certain periods of the day, which may differ daily to allow for rest and family bonding.
In preparation for their move into the main exhibit, the cubs have been spending more time in their holding yard, where they have learnt important Lion behaviours like climbing and foraging, which the public has been able to watch from afar via Taronga TV’s cub cam.
Taronga CEO Cam Kerr AO said: “Cub Cam was such an incredible initiative and gave our community a sneak peek into the lives of the cubs from the very beginning and importantly, an opportunity to support lions in the wild.
“Now that Sydney has reopened, we’re so excited to welcome back our guests and Zoo Friends to meet these new arrivals and to connect with wildlife. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo, every time you visit, you support us to deliver vital conservation work both here in Australia and around the globe,” said Kerr.
With a brand-new pride taking their place, it’s the perfect time to sign up for an all-new Zoo Friends Family Flex membership. With 365 days of unlimited Zoo entry, Zoo Friends will be able to keep up the cubs all year long as they grow, play, tumble, find their paws and even learn to climb. Just like the cubs who keep their mum and dad in check, the all-new Zoo Friends Family Flex membership means the kids are in charge.
The Zoo Friends Family Flex membership allows any nominated adult to accompany the kids on their adventures, which means whether it's mum, dad, grandparents, aunts or uncles, everyone gets a chance to explore!
Taronga Zoo proudly accepts Dine and Discover NSW vouchers, which can be used for a discount of $25 on day tickets and Zoo Friends memberships.
Zoo Friends Annual Membership starts at $99 for individuals, or $130 for the all-new Family Flex that permits entry for 1 adult and kids under 16 from their household. For more information or to register please visit www.taronga.org.au/zoo-friends
Taronga Zoo Sydney is delighted to share a very cute cub-date and a first close-up glimpse of the faces of five adorable lion cubs.
The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato last month, and are now six weeks of age.
The cubs are continuing to grow and develop and this week took their first steps into their holding yard, with their paws touching grass for the very first time.
The cubs were also given their weekly weigh in and are now between 5.5kg and 6.5kg, which keepers say is testament to mum Maya who is taking expert care of the large litter.
While the cubs are still small, the public are able to catch a keepers-eye glimpse of the growing pride via Taronga TV’s Cub Cam.
For small tax-deductible donation of just $7, the public can access a 24/7 live stream of the five precious cubs – all whilst supporting Taronga’s vital conservation work around the globe! www.taronga.org.au/cubcam
As the cubs approach eight weeks of age, the keepers are also calling on the public to help name one! Head to the website to cast a vote and for a chance to win one of 20 family passes.
Taronga’s lions are important ambassadors for their species, helping to raise vital funds and awareness to help their wild counterparts
Taronga Zoo Sydney is thrilled to announce the recent birth of Greater Bilby twins, the second successful birth of bilby joeys in the last 12 months – a significant contribution to Taronga's conservation breeding program.
The two joeys, which are both males are estimated to have been born in early May in an off-display bilby breeding facility at Taronga’s Backyard to Bush precinct. The names ‘Mallee’ and ‘Cliff’ were chosen by Keepers to pay tribute to the Mallee Cliff National Park, an area in which the Greater Bilby was reintroduced in recent years.
To access Taronga TV’s cub cam head to www.taronga.org.au/cubcam. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo Taronga is delighted to continue fostering connections between both wildlife and people.
Taronga Zoo Sydney is proud to announce the birth of five African Lion Cubs – the first lion cubs to be born at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 18 years. The five cubs who arrived in mid-August, are now five weeks old, and growing every day.
In a first for Taronga, the public will be able to meet the new pride and support Taronga’s important conservation work with a brand-new cub cam, which is launching just in time for the spring school holidays. The Taronga TV cub cam is available for a limited time only for a tax-deductible donation of $7, allowing the public to watch the youngsters grow, all while supporting their cousins in the wild.
The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato on Thursday 12 August, which in a sweet turn of events also happened to coincide with Ato’s fourth birthday.
Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman said the new pride are in good health and going from strength to strength. “Maya is a very attentive, nurturing and relaxed mother. Her labour went off without a hitch and we couldn’t be happier with the maternal behaviours that we are observing”.
“Now weighing between 5-6kg compared to approximately 1.5 kg at birth, each cub is growing and developing beautifully with mum Maya ensuring each cub is suckling and feeding well,” said Louise.
Since their birth, the keepers have been closely monitoring the cubs via CCTV cameras in their specialised maternity den, and from today, the public will be able to join them via Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam.
“In a first for Taronga, we are giving our community access to meet these five precious cubs and bringing them along on the journey from the very beginning. From when they start finding their feet, to when their paws touch grass for the first time – our community will be right there with us” said Cameron Kerr, CEO, Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
“As a not-for-profit zoo, one the best ways the public can support our two Zoos and our critical conservation work is by tuning in to Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam. With a donation of just $7 you are supporting our work at Taronga’s two zoos and our on-the-ground work in Northern Kenya -one of six native homelands of the African Lion” said Kerr.
African Lions are currently classified as vulnerable in the wild, with their population continuing to decrease due to human-animal conflict, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
“Taronga’s pride of lions are such amazing ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help to raise awareness for their species and bring to the forefront the threats facing them in the wild,” says Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman.
“Maya has been an invaluable contributor to the regional breeding program of the African Lion, and with less than 20,000 African Lions remaining in the wild, every cub really does count” said Louise.
At the moment, the cubs are finding their feet behind the scenes in their nursery den, but soon enough they will be meeting milestones like their first health check, meeting their father Ato and eventually making their public debut later this year.
“We cannot wait to hear the pitter-patter of paws as the cubs start investigating and finding their way around their brand-new home at Taronga’s African Savannah Precinct, but that is still a little while off! Fingers and toes crossed our Zoo community will be able to witness this moment as well!” said Louise.
Despite both Taronga’s two Zoos being closed, the critical conservation work never stops and for a small tax-deductible donation of just $7 the public can now access Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam and continue to support Taronga's vital conservation work and help save Lions in the wild.
To access Taronga TV’s cub cam head to www.taronga.org.au/cubcam. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo Taronga is delighted to continue fostering connections between both wildlife and people.
Taronga Zoo Sydney is proud to announce the birth of five African Lion Cubs – the first lion cubs to be born at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 18 years. The five cubs who arrived in mid-August, are now five weeks old, and growing every day.
In a first for Taronga, the public will be able to meet the new pride and support Taronga’s important conservation work with a brand-new cub cam, which is launching just in time for the spring school holidays. The Taronga TV cub cam is available for a limited time only for a tax-deductible donation of $7, allowing the public to watch the youngsters grow, all while supporting their cousins in the wild.
The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato on Thursday 12 August, which in a sweet turn of events also happened to coincide with Ato’s fourth birthday.
Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman said the new pride are in good health and going from strength to strength. “Maya is a very attentive, nurturing and relaxed mother. Her labour went off without a hitch and we couldn’t be happier with the maternal behaviours that we are observing”.
“Now weighing between 5-6kg compared to approximately 1.5 kg at birth, each cub is growing and developing beautifully with mum Maya ensuring each cub is suckling and feeding well,” said Louise.
Since their birth, the keepers have been closely monitoring the cubs via CCTV cameras in their specialised maternity den, and from today, the public will be able to join them via Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam.
“In a first for Taronga, we are giving our community access to meet these five precious cubs and bringing them along on the journey from the very beginning. From when they start finding their feet, to when their paws touch grass for the first time – our community will be right there with us” said Cameron Kerr, CEO, Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
“As a not-for-profit zoo, one the best ways the public can support our two Zoos and our critical conservation work is by tuning in to Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam. With a donation of just $7 you are supporting our work at Taronga’s two zoos and our on-the-ground work in Northern Kenya -one of six native homelands of the African Lion” said Kerr.
African Lions are currently classified as vulnerable in the wild, with their population continuing to decrease due to human-animal conflict, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
“Taronga’s pride of lions are such amazing ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help to raise awareness for their species and bring to the forefront the threats facing them in the wild,” says Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman.
“Maya has been an invaluable contributor to the regional breeding program of the African Lion, and with less than 20,000 African Lions remaining in the wild, every cub really does count” said Louise.
At the moment, the cubs are finding their feet behind the scenes in their nursery den, but soon enough they will be meeting milestones like their first health check, meeting their father Ato and eventually making their public debut later this year.
“We cannot wait to hear the pitter-patter of paws as the cubs start investigating and finding their way around their brand-new home at Taronga’s African Savannah Precinct, but that is still a little while off! Fingers and toes crossed our Zoo community will be able to witness this moment as well!” said Louise.
Despite both Taronga’s two Zoos being closed, the critical conservation work never stops and for a small tax-deductible donation of just $7 the public can now access Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam and continue to support Taronga's vital conservation work and help save Lions in the wild.
To access Taronga TV’s cub cam head to www.taronga.org.au/cubcam. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo Taronga is delighted to continue fostering connections between both wildlife and people.
Humphrey the koala joey was born to mum Willow and is estimated to be just over 12 months old
Koala joeys stay in their mother’s pouch for up to 6 months, it is only from around that age that they begin to emerge and attach themselves to their mother’s back
Humphrey is the first koala joey born at Taronga Zoo Sydney in over a year
This is mum Willow’s fifth joey, she is a remarkable mum and has been invaluable in contributing to Taronga’s Koala breeding program
Humphrey is far too big for mums pouch now, but as you can see does enjoy a cuddle or two or a ride on mums back
Humphrey is growing in confidence every day and hitting milestones like developing the strength the jump from branch to branch within his exhibit
Although Taronga is currently closed, guests can tune in to Tarongatv.com to get their daily dose of animal antics!
Every day until the end of lockdown, Taronga TV will be pumping out a packed schedule of amazing animal content, including keeper talks, live animal streams and exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peeks to showcase what the animals get up to behind closed doors
While winter school holidays plans across NSW have been thrown into chaos, a few Marine Keepers from Taronga Zoo Sydney have still taken to time to welcome and celebrate the month of June and spread some much-needed laughter and joy around the zoo. To mark the occasion, Taronga’s waddle of little penguins were treated to some very n-ice enrichment! Kindly donated by Sydney Fish Market, keepers created a mini winter wonderland within the little penguin's exhibit. As little penguins are found natively along the southern coastlines of Australia this isn’t something they would experience in the wild. For never actually seeing snow, keepers explained that the little penguins were quite brave, tapping their little flippers over the ice and investigating their new environment.
A rare short-beaked echidna puggle has emerged at Taronga Zoo Sydney.
The puggle is estimated to be about seven months old and was born to experience mum Ganyi.
It is very rare to get up close to echidna puggles as they spend the first couple of months of their life in a deep burrow that their mum makes.
Echidnas, although iconic, are unusual animals known as monotremes – mammals that lay eggs.
Despite being warm-blooded, their young puggles are hatched from eggs and mothers produce milk for their puggles in their makeshift pouch.
This little puggle, which is yet to be named is progressing well, currently weighing in at 1.7kg and displaying natural behaviours like foraging and digging.
At around seven months of age puggle mums with continue with their own life and leave the puggle to fend for itself.
This is the 10th puggle to be born at Taronga Zoo Sydney since the development of the echidna breeding facility.