Taronga Conservation Society Australia Annual Report 2008-09
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TASMANIAN DEVIL Sarcophilus harisii Endangered Both Zoos are committed to providing a safeguard against the the threat of extinction for the Tasmanian Devil. The first breeding season resulted in 13 young being born across the two Zoos. Photo: Tony Britt Lewis The International Union for Our role in International the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has forecast that Conservation Programs by 2050, 30% of the world’s wildlife will disappear. Now more than ever, the role of Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos work zoos has never been more important in maintaining insurance populations against cooperatively with conservation organisations across the a complete collapse of a species in the wild, undertaking globe to carry out in situ conservation programs. wildlife research, rehabilitation, conservation field work and community education. One of these vital breeding programs aims to protect Cover Image: PYGMY HIppopotaMUS Tasmanian Devils which are facing a population collapse Choeropsis liberiensis Endangered In November, Taronga Zoo celebrated the arrival of the first Pygmy Hippopotamus in the wild due to a deadly disease. Working with a group calf in 23 years. After a difficult breach birth, the Zoo’s dedicated keepers decided to hand-raise the precious female named ‘Monifa’ until it thrived. Monifa has now moved on to Melbourne Zoo as part of the of zoos in Australia, the 2008 breeding program has regional management of this endangered species. It is estimated that as few as 3000 individuals remain in the wild. Photo: Reg Grundy AC OBE PhD Hons produced 34 joeys so far. TARONGA CONSERVATION SOCIETY AUSTRALIA Annual Report 2009 1 Conservation across the continents WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla Critically Endangered Photo: Rick Stevens 1 LEOPARD SEAL Hydrurga leptonyx Least Concern 2 Photo: Rick Stevens GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINOCEROS Rhinoceros unicornis Endangered Photo: Shallon McReaddie 3 1. Gorilla mother, ‘Mouila’, gave 2. Taronga is home to the only 3. ‘Dora’ the male Greater birth to a healthy little male two Leopard Seals to be cared One-horned Rhinoceros enjoys named ‘Mahale’. The TCSA for by a zoo anywhere in the a swim during Dubbo’s summer. joined in Year of the Gorilla world. The male ‘Casey’ and Remaining wild populations activities encouraging Australians female ‘Sabine’ were both are fragmented due to habitat to recycle their mobile phones. rehabilitated by the Zoo’s destruction and poaching. Mining for minerals used in Wildlife Hospital and reside phones is devastating prime at the award-winning Great gorilla habitat. Southern Oceans mega-exhibit. 2 AFRICAN ELEPHANT Loxodonta africana Near Threatened Photo: Shallon McReaddie 4 SOUTHERN CORROBOREE FROG Pseudophryne corroboree Critically Endangered 5 Photo: Rick Stevens REGENT HONEYEATER Xanthomyza phyrigia Endangered Photo: Rob Dockerill 6 4. Taronga Western Plains 5. The TCSA is committed to 6. An estimated 1500 Regent Zoo’s African Elephants enjoy amphibian conservation. Honey-eaters are left in the wild, exploring the savannah. It is estimated as few as 150 making zoo breeding efforts ‘Cuddles’ and ‘Yum Yum’ are Corroboree Frogs remain in the vital for this species. the only African Elephants being wild due to the deadly Chytrid cared for by a zoo in Australia. Fungus which is devastating world frog populations. TARONGA CONSERVATION SOCIETY AUSTRALIA Annual Report 2009 3 Who we are Vision Mission Our vision is to inspire Australians We will: and our visitors to discover, • Demonstrate a meaningful and urgent commitment to wildlife, our natural explore, delight in and protect environment and the pursuit of excellence in our conservation, recreation and scientific endeavours; our natural world. • Through effective communication and example promote positive and measurable conservation outcomes that will inspire active and enjoyable learning experiences and be a catalyst in creating understanding and wonderment of our natural world; • By encouragement and demonstration, lead individuals and communities in the wise and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of future generations, and • Deliver visitor experiences that maximise the community, corporate and financial support necessary to sustain our conservation endeavours. discoverexplore delightin protect With Gorillas under intense pressure from jungle clearance, the bush meat and pet The Zoos’ Wildlife Hospitals treat hundreds of injured and trades, zoo breeding programs are vital to provide a safety net for this critically orphaned native wildlife annually including birds, mammals, endangered species. reptiles and amphibians, including a young echidna puggle Photo: Mandy McLellan which was hand-reared by TWPZ staff. Photo: Mandy Quayle 4 Contents An Overview Chairman’s Report 7 Appointed Board 8 The Taronga Conservation Society Australia (TCSA) Senior Management Team 10 operates Taronga Zoo (TZ) in Organisational Chart 10 Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo (TWPZ) in Dubbo, Director’s Report 12 attracting local, interstate Highlights 13 and international visitors. Year in Brief – Financials 14 The TCSA is constituted under the Zoological Parks Board Act, 1973, Year in Brief – Visitation 16 as a statutory authority owned by the people of New South Wales and comes within the administration of the Minister for Climate Our Animals and Plants 19 Change and the Environment. 1 Amended legislation in 1992 defined the TCSA’s responsibilities Our Conservation, Research and Education 27 in education conservation, research, 2 and recreation (see Appendix 1). 3 Our Physical Assets 39 4 Our Business Enterprise 45 explore Our People 57 5 6 Financial Statements 63 protect 7 Financial Statements (Australia Division) 97 8 Appendices 117 Glossary 154 Index 156 Ten year old African Lion, Jasiri, is head of the pride of three at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Jasiri and lionesses, Njeri and Shinyanga which are sisters have been at the Zoo since they were young. Photo: Rick Stevens TARONGA CONSERVATION SOCIETY AUSTRALIA Annual Report 2009 5 Taronga Zoo Taronga Western Plains Zoo Symbol Symbol Platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis Opened Opened October 1916. Site 28 hectares. February 1977. Site 788 hectares. Animals Animals From the Old Moore Park Zoo, founded Exhibited in open range facilities. by the Royal Zoological Society of New The collection now contains approximately South Wales in 1881. The collection 650 animals from 91 species/sub-species. now includes approximately 4,002 animals from 349 species/sub-species. Contact Obley Road, Dubbo Contact PO Box 831, Dubbo NSW 2830 Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman PO Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088 Tel: (02) 6882 5888 Fax: (02) 6884 1722 Tel: (02) 9969 2777 Fax: (02) 9969 7515 Hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm daily Hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm daily Website: www.taronga.org.au Website: www.taronga.org.au Number of animals: 650 Species/sub-species: 91 Number of animals: 4,002 Species/sub-species: 349 The Hon. John Cameron Robertson, MLC Minister for Climate Change and the Environment Parliament House Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2001 Dear Minister It is a great pleasure to present the 36th Annual Report of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia which includes the statement of accounts, for your presentation to the NSW Parliament. This report covers in full the Taronga Conservation Society Australia’s activities for the year ended 30 June 2009 in accordance with Section 20 and 37 of the Zoological Parks Board Act 1973 (as amended), and the Annual Reports Statutory Bodies Act 1984 (as amended). Yours sincerely Leonard F Bleasel AM Chairman, Taronga Conversation Society Australia 6 Chairman’s Report It is with much pride that We are now 75% of the way through the Zoos’ 12 Year Master Plan redevelopment I present the 36th Annual Report program. In April the much-needed 680 for the Taronga Conservation space car park was opened at TZ. Works are Society Australia. now commencing to create a tree-lined Main Entrance plaza which will include extensive Once again, the past 12 months has been a lawns, public amenities and a cafeteria which milestone year on behalf of wildlife. Taronga will be open to the local community and can became the first zoo to breed the critically- be enjoyed by visitors before they enter the endangered Booroolong Frog only a year Zoo. The final stages of the Master Plan will after the breeding program began, to save focus on visitor facilities and a significant the tiny amphibian. A total of 600 frogs and redevelopment of the entry precinct at TWPZ. 13,000 eggs were released into the wild near Tumbarrumba, NSW. This was supported by Prudent financial management off-set an innovative schools’ education program to the effects the Global Economic Crisis and encourage the community to help protect poor weather during peak visitation times. local wildlife. Visitation remained solid with the Zoos welcoming 1.59 million visitors whilst the The Australian community excitedly waited Taronga Foundation continued to have a with us as we anticipated the arrival of the record year raising $6 million, including first Asian Elephant to be born in Australasia. $250,000 at the Ivy Dinner for Tasmanian Just four days after the reporting period Devil conservation. closed for this Annual Report a male calf was born, heralding the on-going success of the The 2009 year also heralds a changing TCSA’s conservation breeding program for of the guard, as Mr Guy Cooper’s tenure as this endangered species. This birth will be our Director comes to a close. During Mr covered extensively in next year’s report. Cooper’s leadership we have seen notable changes including the commencement of Supporting the TCSA’s commitment to primate the TCSA’s $225 million, 12 year Master conservation, the NSW Environment Minister Plan redevelopment program, and the at the time, the Hon Carmel Tebutt MP, joined establishment and resultant success of the with us to help launch activities for the “Year Taronga Foundation, which has raised more of the Gorilla”. In this global zoo initiative, than $40 million to date.