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Unique creature

Scientific nameEucalyptus bunyip

Conservation status (IUCN)

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July 11, 2018
Tasmanian Devil breeding success in Dubbo
Environment Minister Robyn Parker and Dubbo MP Troy Grant today announced new Tasmanian Devil breeding success with the birth of two Devil joeys at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.Today is the first time Zoo keepers will have a chance to get up close with the joeys, as they have taken a hands-off approach while the mother gives birth and raises the joeys who are almost six months old. Ms Parker said the Zoo is part of a national program designed to help the Tasmanian Devil from becoming extinct as a result of the Devil Facial Tumour Disease.“Every birth in the Tasmanian Devil breeding program is important. The Devil Facial Tumour Disease is continuing to destroy wild populations by up to 85 per cent in some areas since the discovery of the disease in 1996,” Ms Parker said.“So far keepers have been observing very positive nurturing behaviours from the mother and are delighted with the progress and growth of the two joeys.“First time mother, Lentil, is very protective of her young joeys and has been since birth.“The joeys will stay with their mother until approximately 12 months old, before they will be weaned and become independent.”Mr Grant said this recent birth brings the total of Tasmanian Devils born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo to 18, since the breeding program commenced in 2007.“It is hoped that these two joeys will play a vital role in the Tasmanian Devil breeding program in the future once fully matured, creating greater genetic diversity,” Mr Grant said.“Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s has two breeding facilities for the Tasmanian Devil located behind the scenes.”
July 11, 2018
Royal Visit to Taronga
Taronga Zoo is delighted to be included in the itinerary for the forthcoming Australian tour of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.Their Royal Highnesses will arrive in Sydney with baby son, Prince George, on 16 April.A visit to Taronga Zoo on Easter Sunday, 20 April, is included in the schedule.During their visit, the royal couple will view the Bilby exhibit and the bilby which had been named after Prince George, as part of the Australian government’s gift following his birth in mid-2013.Taronga’s Director and CE, Cameron Kerr said the royal visit was a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about Australia’s unique native animals, especially the endangered bilby.“Bilbies were once found right throughout Australia, but are now threatened in the wild. Taronga is part of a national breeding program across a number of Australian zoos and wildlife organisations that are involved in conservation, breeding and research to provide an insurance population to safeguard this species into the future,” he said.“Taronga is incredibly proud to be part of Australia’s gift to Prince George and we look forward to introducing Their Royal Highnessess to our bilbies in April.”
July 11, 2018
Royal couple opens Taronga bilby exhibit
Their Royal Highnessess, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were introduced to some of Australia’s unique and endangered wildlife at Taronga Zoo today, officially opening the Zoo’s new Bilby exhibit named in honour of their son, Prince George.During their visit this afternoon, the Royal couple, accompanied by young Prince George, unveiled a plaque commemorating the dedication of the Prince George Bilby Exhibit.Taronga Zoo Director, Cameron Kerr said: “We were honoured to be visited by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to acknowledge the official gift of the Australian Government celebrating the birth of their son, Prince George.”“This gift has enabled Taronga Zoo to expand its role in the regional breeding and recovery program for Bilbies, which are a vulnerable species, with the intention to breed and release these beautiful animals back into the wild in the future.“It was wonderful and very encouraging to see that the Royal couple share our appreciation for Australian wildlife and commitment to wildlife conversation,” said Cameron.The Duke and Duchess met Taronga’s male Bilby, also named George, before embarking on a tour of the Zoo, stopping to feed the Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroos and giraffes on the way.Bilby Keeper, Paul Davies said: “Prince George was absolutely fantastic. I’ve never seen a little boy quite so excited about meeting a Bilby. He had his hands up on the glass of the exhibit and he was patting the glass. A big part of wildlife conservation is about raising awareness and today we’ve an opportunity to showcase the bilby not only to Australia, but to the world.”The Royal couple also received a demonstration of Taronga’s new Wildlife Witness app, developed in partnership with TRAFFIC, which enables users to report illegal wildlife trade using their smartphones.The tour culminated in a special Australian wildlife presentation at Taronga Zoo’s Bird Show arena overlooking the Sydney Harbour and skyline.The Royal couple smiled broadly throughout the presentation, which included iconic Australian birds and mammals such as koalas, echidnas and quokkas, before joining the Zoo’s keepers on stage at the conclusion of the show.Bird Show keeper, Brendan Host said: “They were very friendly. I think they enjoyed their experience and I definitely enjoyed meeting them. More than anything else, it was a wonderful chance to show the amazing diversity of wildlife we have here in Australia.”The Duke and Duchess also met and spoke with Sydney teenagers Billy Taylor, 14 and Freya Overton, 15, both members of Taronga’s Youth At The Zoo (YATZ), a fun, educational program for 13 - 19 year olds.