Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Day in the life of a Regent Honeyeater Keeper

Did you know that Taronga breeds critically endangered species and releases them into the wild? Come behind-the-scenes with Keeper Kara at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, who works on the Regent Honeyeater Species Recovery Program, providing crucial support in preparing zoo-bred birds for release to the wild. From caring daily for the birds, preparing for breeding, providing a naturalistic environment, through to pre-release health checks; saving a species from the brink of extinction is no easy feat. Our important work is made possible by the support of Taronga’s Primary Sponsor, La Trobe Financial, as well as collaboration with the NSW #SavingOurSpecies program. For more info, head to https://taronga.org.au/animals/regent-honeyeater

Did you know that our Wildlife Hospital aviary is home to critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters? You too could experience a magical encounter like this one when you next visit the aviary, and learn more about this incredible native species at the same time. Zookeeper tip - the best time to visit the aviary is in the morning when the birds are most active.

Snacks by the pool! 🐘🍍 Asian Elephant Sabai has no trouble beating the heat - he just takes his delicious pineapple tops into the pool with him! 📹 Keeper Jackie

Emus Franklin, Boris and Clyde wallowing to beat the heat - even Peaches is thinking about getting in! Thanks to Keeper Lou for capturing this rare sight on camera!

Introducing Msumeno! 🦒 If you've visited the Zoo recently, you might have noticed a calf behind the main herd, in our back-of-house Giraffe habitat. Msumeno was born on December 2 but was sadly rejected by his mother, so our dedicated keepers commenced around-the-clock care and hand-feeding. We're pleased to say that Msumeno is now thriving! His name means 'seesaw' in Swahili, reflecting his difficult, 'up and down' start to life. He is not yet ready to join the main herd as he doesn't reliably respond to keepers' calls to come and feed, so for now he is living out the back with his dad Mtoto, who is doing an amazing job teaching him all the things he needs to know about being a Giraffe. See if you can spot Msumeno from the front of our main Giraffe habitat, or on the Early Morning Walk or Giants of Africa tours.

Can you bee-lieve this video captured by Keeper Dee? 🐝 These bees were spotted at the water trough in one of our behind-the-scenes Eland habitats. There's plenty you can do to help wildlife in your own backyard! 🐦 put out a dish of water for birds and small lizards - out of reach of any pets! Add some stones so insects like bees can stop for a drink too - just remember to change the water regularly so it doesn't become a haven for mozzies! 💦 if you're watering your lawn (depending on water restrictions in your area) use a sprinkler and watch local bird life flock to your yard 💧 if you're on a property, make sure there's water for larger species like echidnas, wombats and larger birds and reptiles #ForTheWild

World Hippo Day at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Join us this Saturday 15 February to celebrate World Hippo Day! 📣 We'll be hosting a Special World Hippo Day Keeper Talk at 10:30am, where you can learn about this iconic Africa species from one of our expert keepers. ☕ Grab a delicious Hippo cookie at Café Wild 😋 🦛 Our very talented volunteers have also organised a Hippo Rock Drop - see if you can spot one at Taronga Western Plains Zoo this weekend, and spread the Hippo love on your travels! 💕

World Hippo Day at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

It’s World Hippo Day! 🦛 Did you know Hippos can’t really grind up their food before swallowing? This is mainly because of their dentition. A hippo’s canine tusks interlock and hinder jaw movement from side to side, which makes Hippos pretty ineffective chewers! As a result, food takes longer to digest in their gut which is why they eat only a fairly small amount in relation to their size - only up to about 30 kilograms in herbaceous grasses each day. That might seem like a lot, but with male Hippos weighing up to 2 tonnes, it only equates to 1.5% of their body weight per day! All that means there’s a lot of fibre in their poo! What are their teeth for then? Well their canines, which are technically tusks, and those sharp incisors are used to fight predators, and other hippos over territory and access to mates. You can learn more about this iconic African species at our special World Hippo Day Keeper Talk at 10:30am today at Taronga Western Plains Zoo! 📹 Keeper Dee

Platypus Rescue HQ turns 1!

One year of Platypus Rescue HQ 🎂 Can you believe it's been 12 months since we officially opened the world's largest purpose-built platypus conservation centre at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo? 🤩 That's one whole year of Mackenzie the Platypus capturing the imaginations and hearts of our guests, raising awareness of the plight of platypus in the wild, and inspiring young and old to reduce pollution, ensuring the platypus thrives in the wild for generations to come! Learn more about how #Taronga is working to save the Platypus: https://taronga.org.au/taronga-western-plains-zoo-dubbo/whats/platypus-rescue-hq-dubbo #ForTheWild

Just a bit of #ASMR with Sumatran Tiger Indah! 🐅 📹 Keeper KJ

Elephant Experience at TWPZ

Did you see our Asian Elephants getting a bath on the season finale of Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo? You can witness it for yourself in our Elephant Experience! We highly recommend booking in advance through our website to secure your spot. Find out more via 👉 https://taronga.org.au/dubbo-zoo/tours/elephant-experience #ForTheWild

Hot weather? No problem! At Taronga Western Plains Zoo, our Asian Elephants have access to plenty of water, pools, dust baths and shade to help keep them cool in Dubbo's hot climate - but they can also use their ears! 🐘 A network of blood vessels in the ears helps them dissipate heat and regulate their body temperature. Ear flapping cools down the blood and circulates it to the rest of the body, working like large fans to keep elephants like Porntip happy and healthy in warm weather! 📹 & 📝 Keeper Savannah