Taronga Western Plains Zoo

As a Dubbo, local, I grew up in this zoo. It's the perfect place to spend a day, wandering around the enclosures and learning more about the amazing animals we share this world with. Entire herds of animals are on display, with feedings and zoo keeper talks daily. The enclosures are wide open spaces, giving the animals plenty of room to move freely, so that the zoo patrons can see how the animals behave in their natural habitats. The zoo is easy to navigate by car, foot, or bike. I much prefer western plains over taronga zoo in Sydney, due to the fact that the enclosures are much more natural, they have many more animals, and the dry bush environment makes you feel like you are on safari!

We had a wonderful time when we visited the zoo. We initially thought that the tickets were a bit expensive - but after spending a good day and half there and attending all of the scheduled feeds and talks included in the ticket price, we decided it was good value for money. The animals looked well fed and cared for and their enclosures were spacious and attractive. We were really pleased that we had 2 days to visit the zoo -
it meant that we got to see most of the animals without rushing around.

Simply great!! Best zoo where you can take your own Bike and Car inside to the zoo!!! You can be selective and check out animals you like and remain in your air conditioned car if your companion wishes to see ones you don't. Total worth the drive from Canberra. Well done Taronga Zoo!!

It's over 30 years since last visited and it has become a world class free run zoo. More development is clearly being done. It is easy to drive around the 5km circuit in your own vehicle, hire a bike or golf buggy or even walk. There are many picnic stops and a moderate cafe at the visitor centre at the entrance. The central cafe is closed on weekdays. The various animal feeding and intertpretations are excellent but a bit hard to keep up with going from one to the next. The staff are excellent and knowledgeable. It offers concessions for entry for two day passes which is needed as there is too much to see and do in a single day.

Two of our otterly adorable Oriental small-clawed otters, Jafar and Misumi, turn three today! They love to play with each other and have little snoozes together. Video by Keeper Hayley Brooks.

How relaxed does this Meerkat look? Snapped on a recent visit by Kristina Beeby

Today on National Threatened Species Day we are proud to announce the commencement of the Plains-wanderer conservation-breeding program here at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in partnership with the Office of Environment and Heritage’s Saving our Species program. The Plains-wanderer is a unique and beautiful ground dwelling native bird that is under imminent threat of extinction with less than 1000 birds remaining in the wild. This project aims to establish a sustainable insurance population that can support the reintroduction of wild populations. Read more about the project https://goo.gl/XnyyFg #nationalthreatenedspeciesday #forthewild #savingourspecies Photos: Mark O'Riordan

African Wild Dogs have disappeared from much of their habitat range. Their main threats are habitat fragmentation, conflict with humans and disease.
Our conservation partners, African Wildlife Conservation Fund are dedicated to preserving this species as well as other large carnivores in Zimbabwe. Check out their latest blog about how they work with nearby communities to save wildlife. https://goo.gl/gxF9jW

It's the end of the weekend...hopefully these two rear ends bring a smile to your face as you prepare yourself for Monday!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
This is Unami our breeding Giraffe bull. He not only looks impressive with his distinguished dark coat pattern, but he has also sired 22 calves at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, with possibly more on the way! He will soon retire from fathering duties to the Zoo’s Savannah with our bachelor herd.

Kanlaya is definitely making big strides. She now weighs 184kgs and is starting to learn how to use her trunk! Read more about her grow and development here https://goo.gl/fUHHyv Photo: Rick Stevens

Ariana and Isadora the Spider Monkey babies are busy exploring and getting up to mischief on the primate island.
Come and grab a coffee or a bite to eat from Bakhita's Cafe and sit back and watch their antics over the weekend.

Volunteers are such a valuable asset to Taronga Western Plains Zoo and help out with so many different aspects on site. This is Bob - he has been a volunteer at the Zoo for 30+ years and is just one of the friendly faces you might meet when visiting.

Father's Day is just around the corner!
Celebrate Father's Day at Bakhita's Cafe this Sunday 2 September. Book a table for breakfast or lunch on 6881 1437.
A special "Deal for the Dads” will be available which includes a steak sandwich and stubbie of standard beer for $20!

Our Spider Monkeys have perfected the art of synchronised drinking!

Such a heavy fog this morning in Dubbo!

A big congratulations to everyone who came and participated in the Dubbo Stampede and enjoyed running in the rain today!
Also congratulations and thank you to the wonderful volunteer committee who organise this wonderful community event 👏👏👏

Tips for arriving and parking for Dubbo Stampede participants tomorrow:
• Please plan to arrive early, at least 30 minutes prior to your race and allow extra time to get to the Zoo than normal.
• Traffic flow will be steady but constant and queuing is likely due to the high volume of people entering the Zoo at the same time. Please be patient.
... • The best option is for someone to drop you off at the dedicated ‘Drop off Point’ just inside the Zoo. Follow signage to this area.
• There may be a short walk of 5 minutes required for participants from some parking areas.
• Please follow traffic controllers directions at all times.
• Gates will open at 6am for event participants. The Zoo will open to visitors from 9am.
Enjoy the Dubbo Stampede!
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Do you think Koala mum Rosea is keen for some fresh eucalyptus branches? She is waiting for Keeper Rachel to bring in some fresh leaves!

Asian Elephant calf Kanlaya thought this palm frond was great fun, tossing it around with her trunk.

The year 11 biology class at Junee High School have been working with our team to create Meerkat enrichment items as part of their studies. It’s safe to say these items were a hit with the Meerkats! Thanks to the students at Junee High for creating engaging enrichment items.

The Dubbo Stampede is this Sunday! There is a distance for everyone from 5.3km were you can run or walk through to a full marathon.
Be sure to register by this Friday and join in the fun of this unique running event that takes you around the Zoo circuit!
Head to www.dubbostampede.com.au to register today!

It's Monday...enough said! One of our Meerkats is feeling a bit of Mondayitis!

The zoo was fantastic however the Prowl The Pride Lands tour was a very big disappointment. It cost $110 for my husband and I and my 4yr old son to take the afternoon tour, the three cubs were the only ones let out to feed and sadly we could have gotten a much better view of them eating if we were just at the viewing area with the rest of the public. Lazarus is the big draw card and is promoted as such and obviously you want to see the lion with the big mane but we saw only the cubs, no closer to the bus than anyone else viewing them and then a quick drive around the enclosure. This tour definitely needs some improvement, I couldn't believe that was it. Also it is very difficult to find information about any feeding encounters on the website. Nothing was mentioned about extra things to do like the encounters when we were buying our tickets and so we didn't know about them until we saw other people doing it. I even looked the day before going as I wanted to buy a feed the giraffe encounter but I thought there mustn't be one.