Gorillas at Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Gorillas, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
One day I would really like to see Gorillas in their natural environment. I’m not sure how this is going to happen, and with the years galloping by I may no have the fitness to undertake the rigorous trek to see a gorilla in its natural habitat. In the meantime, I have to be content with glimpses like this in zoos. Not entirely satisfactory, I know, but better than not seeing them at all.
Gorilla, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Are they mountain goats?
Goats in the children's zoo, Taronga, Sydney
On our visit to Taronga Zoo last year we made a special point of seeing the children’s zoo section. This was for our grandson who was 19 months old at the time. We were amused by the goats on display in the farmyard. Several of them had climbed up on to the roof of one of the buildings there. With the goats looking down on us, I felt that we were on display – not the goats.
Goats in the children's zoo, Taronga, Sydney
An unusual Platypus, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Platypus carved out of sandstone rock, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
I took this photo of a large platypus carved out of a sandstone boulder in the grounds of Taronga Zoo in Sydney. This unusual piece of sculpture is huge, measuring about 3 metres wide by 2 metres high.
It is only one of many pieces of art work scattered around the zoo, all with and animal theme.
Mueller’s Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller’s Bornean Gibbon is one of the smallest of the smallest gibbons.It can be found on the island of Borneo where it is endemic. They are arboreal feeders, primarily fruits of the rainforest. They are diurnal (active during the day) and their early morning calls are loud and piercing. They have very long arms which enable them to swing easily from branch to branch as they move through the rainforest.
We saw these Gibbons during our visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year. At the bottom of this post I have included a photo of the sign accompanying this display. I frequently do this to remind me of the particular species I have photographed, especially of those animals or birds with which I am not all that familiar.
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Mueller's Gibbon, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Sun Bear, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
Malayan Sun Bear, Taronga Zoo, Sydney
The Malayan Sun Bear is one of the animal species on display at Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Sun Bears are the smallest members of the bear family. They naturally occur in SE Asia but numbers are decreasing due to hunting, mainly for their fur or for their bile which is used in traditional Chinese medicine. Others are killed when they interfere with crops.
They eat a wide range of foods, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruit, eggs and a range of plants.
Malayan Sun Bear, Taronga Zoo, Sydney