THE new year is shaping up to be a big one for Darling Downs Zoo owners Steve and Stephanie Robinson, with a number of big projects planned for 2014.

The zoo is embarking on its most significant conservation effort yet, according to Steve, with the recent importation of 10 rare Aldabra giant tortoises.

"This is the largest herd of these tortoises in Australia," Mr Robinson said.

"They are currently four to five years old and won't breed for another 10 years."

Aldabra tortoises are native to the tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius and can live for more than 100 years.

The rare giant tortoises grow to more than a metre in length and can weigh more than 250kg.

According to Mr Robinson the tortoises haven't been bred in Australia since the 1970s.

"There are currently 15 of these tortoises in Australia spread between five zoos," he said.

"Research shows they are unlikely to breed in small numbers."

Mr Robinson said it was the zoo's mission to import a meaningful group of the tortoises.

"It's been found that younger animals breed more successfully," he said.

"This makes this tortoise herd very significant for breeding efforts in Australia."

Darling Downs Zoo has been successful with importing animals in recent years, with two white lions, two female baboons and a serval (wild cat) arriving from zoos overseas.

Mr Robinson said 2014 was shaping up to be very exciting, with more imports on the way.

"We have zebras in quarantine from Texas," he said.

"Fingers crossed they will arrive to the zoo in January and will be quarantined here before going on display."

Aldabra Giant Tortoises

•  Live for more than 100 years
•  Fully grown tortoises are more than a metre long and weigh more than 250kg
•  Prior to the Darling Downs Zoo imports, there were only 15 in Australia
•  Wild populations came under threat in the 19th century from sailors hunting them, as well as introduced pests such as rats, cats and goats killing babies and destroying eggs