The Snow Leopard’s broad, fur covered paws stop them from sinking in soft snow or slipping on ice.
Taronga Zoo - Asian Elephant Program
Photo: Jeff Darmanin
Elephant News
Taronga Zoo is part of the Australasian conservation breeding program for Asian Elephants, which are endangered in the wild.
Such international zoo initiatives aim to intervene where there are threats of potential extinction of a species. In the case of Asian Elephants, the Australasian program aims to preserve 90% of the genetic diversity of the entire species over a 100 year period.
These programs are endorsed by the Australian Government as ‘Cooperative Conservation Programs' (CCPs) with agreed principles, outcomes, and implementation of international treaties, including the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES).
Taronga Zoo's elephants were brought from Thailand in November 2006. They were originally identified with the advice and assistance from the Government of Thailand, and sourced from tourist and work camps. Due to the cessation of logging forests in Thailand in the late 1980s, many work elephants were unemployed and Taronga's elephants were identified as being surplus to needs for both the logging and tourism industries.
Once they settled in at the zoo, all the elephants underwent reproductive assessments and all were found to be viable to take part in the breeding program. To date, already two females are pregnant from different sires.
Taronga and other reputable international zoos have the unique expertise to conduct programs to maintain genetically and behaviourally healthy species that are otherwise threatened in the wild.
This work complements that of other conservation organisations in range states to preserve habitat and identify local solutions that can sustain the world's remaining wildlife.
Over and above the acknowledged importance of the breeding program, Taronga is also committed raising awareness, understanding and support of the plight of wild and domestic elephants and contribute to their care and conservation in range states.
Since coming to Taronga the elephants have formed a healthy social herd and developed very strong bonds with their dedicated keepers.
Taronga is proud to introduce their elephants and provide insights from their keepers about their personalities, home and activities.
