“Hey Dee Hey Dee Ho, The great big elephant is so slow”- Moving Jessie to Taronga Zoo Mosman

Oriana guests are fortunate that the world renowned Taronga Zoological Gardens is so close – just over the hill. The Zoo has a truly magnificent setting overlooking Sydney Harbour. In fact, the name Taronga means “beautiful sea view”. However, the Zoo has not always been sited in Mosman and nor was Sydney’s Zoo always known as Taronga.

The Zoo in Sydney was originally at Billy Goat Swamp – now Moore Park – where several of FIFA’s Women’s World Cup games have been played.

The Moore Park Zoo had limited capacity and many old type exhibits with animals in cages. The decision was made in 1912 to move the Zoo to its current site of 43 acres on Bradley’s Head where open natural enclosures, protected by ditches, were to be provided for the exhibits. In September 1916 (107 years ago) came the day for the big move of 177 animals and 239 birds.

Motor or even horse and cart transport were not feasible for many animals and there was no Sydney Harbour Bridge!

But how would this be achieved?  

The biggest problem was Jessie, the Zoo’s 4 ton elephant. Jessie had to be walked from Moore Park to Fort Macquarie, where the Sydney Opera House now stands, to board a vehicular ferry for the journey across the harbour to her new home at Taronga.

Although noted for her docile nature, a journey through the streets gave some concern in case she took fright and bolted so walking with her keepers she set out on a Sunday at 5.30am, arriving at the ferry at 6.30am for transport across the harbour.

On arrival, when Jessie first took a step onto the landing pontoon, it dipped about one or two feet (30 – 60cm) and Jessie sensibly drew back and had to be coaxed to continue.  However, she was delighted and soon settled into her new home.

Now why Hey Dee Hey Dee Ho? 

Not disclosing my age, this was a well know nursery ride when I was young and, yes, riding on the elephant around the Zoo grounds was definitely my favourite thing to do.

However, rides on the elephant have now ceased due to contemporary animal welfare laws.  

“He swings his trunk from side to side as he takes the children for a ride” in the nursery rhyme (and I still remember the actions) is seldom heard.

Taronga Zoo was opened officially on 7th October 2016 and has been a treat for young and old ever since.

Over the last 100 years, Taronga has continually been updated with innovative exhibits and the Zoo’s conservation programs have won wide acclaim, not only in Australia but in developing countries in Asia and Africa where Taronga’s programs are training locals to manage their endangered species.

The Zoo is a definitely a must to visit when staying at The Oriana.