Dubbo Western Plains Zoo

Sunday 20 September

Taronga Western Plains Zoo – or Dubbo Zoo as it is mostly known – was our day out today. The rain was chasing us so we decided to drive around this open plains zoo and walk as necessary. We were quite lucky actually as we had quite a sunny day until we settled in for our picnic lunch and the heavens opened.

We spent all day at the zoo and ended up doing quite a lot of walking. It is such a wonderful zoo. With so much space for animals to roam, this open plains zoo is well worth the visit.

Towards the end of the one way drive, we spent time watching two female lions doing what they do for most of the day - sleep. While we were there, we got lucky, along came a keeper. The lions got up and strolled along the fence separating them from the male. They had quite a conversation!

The Lions have a new range which is relatively new. Mlinzi is a male lion introduced from Monarto Zoo, the equivalent open plains zoo in South Australia. He is currently separated from Marion and Evelyn introduced from San Diego Zoo. Dubbo Zoo is introducing new bloodlines to help conserve this endangered Big Cat.

African Wild Dog

On guard


Black Rhino
There is a large herd of Eland. The largest of the antelopes

White Rhino - the name has nothing to do with its colour


A beautiful beard on this Barbary Sheep

A quite recent addition The Waterhole cafe and play area

Greater One-horned Rhino. The largest of the Rhino family


Beautiful Bongos




White-handed Gibbons. Always entertaining

We were lucky to be at the lemurs when a keeper came in to feed them

Siamang Ape. Their vocals can be heard from anywhere in the zoo



My forever love. The lions have a new range. 

Oryx.

They even have baby tortoises in the next enclosure!


All in all it was a wonderful day. 

Our Indian meal tonight did not disappoint. Good food, good service.



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