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COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Our community guidelines aim to ensure that our page is inclusive and inviting for everyone. We want to encourage positive communication and sharing, if you have a great photo, video or question, please post it on our page. Comments will be removed if considered offensive, threatening, unlawful or contain the use of profanity. We review all comments and any content p

osted that breaks these guidelines will be deleted, and we reserve the right to delete these from the Taronga Zoo page. Links to other sites and businesses, including the promotion of any other businesses, will also be removed. The Taronga Zoo page is a forum for fans to connect and communicate, if you have a customer service issue or complaint please email [email protected] and our customer service team will be able to assist you. It is Taronga Zoo's policy that any comment or wall post that features swearing, bullying, personal attacks (on authors, moderators, other users or any individual), contains a political agenda, are offensive, defamatory, disrespectful of or misleading to other fans will not be tolerated and will be removed as soon as possible. We will also remove any content that may put us (or you) in legal jeopardy. This includes potentially defamatory comments; material or links posted in potential breach of copyright and includes offensive profile pictures that contain profanities or indecent imagery. Taronga Zoo also notes that Facebook has its own policy in relation to use of pages and posting on the site, and expects users of this site abide by Facebook’s policies for use of Facebook generally. Taronga Zoo does not endorse any threads or posts placed on this site and will remove any posts which do not comply with these policies. If you ever have any concerns that there are posts not in the keeping of this page, please email us at [email protected]. We will treat every contact with seriousness and confidentiality. Posting photos to our wall:

Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Zoo or Taronga Western Plains Zoo does NOT claim ANY ownership rights in photos that you post on our ‘wall’. However, by posting a photo on our wall you hereby grant to Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, revocable, non-transferable, perpetual licence to use, modify, delete from, add to, publicly display and/or reproduce, your photo, including without limitation in any online media formats and through any social media channels, pages or accounts. You can revoke this licence at any time by contacting us in writing at [email protected] and informing us that you no longer want us to use your photo.

09/08/2024

Uma the Bush Stone-Curlew - a series 🤣🐦

Some of you might have had the privilege of meeting Uma the Bush stone-curlew at our Woodland Classroom in our Institute of Science and Learning, where she plays an incredible role in educating thousands of school students each year about Australia’s unique wildlife.

Recently, Uma has spread her wings and moved to our Free Flight Bird Presentation. In the coming months, she’ll be making her big debut to the public as she participates in our Free Flight Bird Presentation.

Keep your eyes and ears peeled—we’ll keep you posted on her progress!

Big thanks to Keeper Chris & Georgia for the incredible shots! 📸

08/08/2024

🌿 Teachers! Ready to bring biodiversity back into you classrooms in a BIG way? 🚀

Introducing Eco Detectives, an electrifying new Minecraft Education game 🕵️‍♂️✨

Launching this weekend to kick off National Science Week, highlighting the theme ‘Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability’.

Students can embark on thrilling missions to save native wildlife and rejuvenate Australia and New Zealand's unique ecosystems.

Aligned with curriculum standards, Eco Detectives transforms students into real-world conservation heroes 🌱🐨

Join us on this epic journey and become a dedicated eco-detective!

For more information and to jump onboard, head to https://taronga.org.au/education/digital-programs-and-online-resources/minecraft-eco-detectives

Together, we can make a difference! 🌟

07/08/2024

Little Penguin Breeding Season is Here! 🐧🌊

From August to February, Little Penguins are busy preparing to welcome the arrival of chicks. During this time, females typically lay one to two eggs in a nest and both parents take it in turns to incubate their eggs in one to two day shifts. Their nests are usually found in sand dune vegetation, among rocks, in sea caves and on headlands. After around 35 days, the eggs hatch! 🐣

Being a new parent can be tricky at the best of times. To help the Little Penguins, there's so much we can do to make this period easier, including:

🐾 Keeping our dogs on leads - stopping free roaming near breeding sites, burrows or even a parent penguin waddling back to their nest
🥚Keeping our distance - if you see Little Penguins near the coast, while you may want a closer look, it's best to keep your distance and avoid disturbing habitats or breeding sites

Always keep an eye out for wildlife. If you come across injured wildlife and it is safe to do so, bring them into our Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or Dubbo, where they’ll be assessed and treated by our expert veterinary team.

🌱

05/08/2024

Oh to be a Zookeeper for a Day 🤩💭 hold up, you can be!

Now’s your chance to save 20% on our uniquely wild Keeper for a Day experience, valid for adults until 31 August 2024 ⏳

Shadow Taronga’s expert keepers behind-the-scenes and go into animal habitats, learning the ropes of feeding and enrichment, and meet our furry, feathered, and scaly residents up close.

It's the perfect gift for any animal lover or treat yourself with this ultimate behind-the-scenes Taronga experience.
To find out more or book, head to http://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/special-experiences/keeper-for-a-day-adult

01/08/2024

Not every patient has a fairytale ending 💙

It's with a heavy heart that we share that the Green Turtle found entangled at Lake Macquarie has not survived. Over the past two weeks, our dedicated Taronga Wildlife Hospital team continually assessed and provided the Turtle with the highest level of care, but ultimately, the injuries sustained were far beyond saving.

In addition to ulcerations from entanglement around its flippers, the Turtle had also ingested a large volume of fishing line and thread - four separate strands that entwined and looped back and forth throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The line had caused ulcers and in some places, the GI tract had adhered over the line, making surgical removal impossible. Similar to pulling a drawstring, the whole of the small intestine was concertinaed - which is typical when species swallow linear foreign bodies. If caught early, it can be reversed but if the line has been ingested for some time - which is what happened with this Green Turtle - there is very little chance of reversing the impacts.

Coupled with its scant muscle mass and body fat from being unable to feed, the injuries indicate that the turtle had been suffering for quite some time. Had it not been rescued and brought into our Hospital, the ulcers in its gastrointestinal tract would've likely ruptured, leading to infection resulting in sepsis. The Turtle would have starved and died a slow and painful death. We are priveleged to have been able to provide this animal a comfortable and humane end of life.

While we know it's hard to hear, it's important to show the reality of how our actions can impact our wildlife and environment. On the flip side - although Plastic Free July may be officially over, we can still carry good habits with us and avoid more situations like this. We all have the power to keep our streets, oceans, and shared spaces clean, which all help to protect our wildlife 🚯

Our Litter Free Oceans calculator helps you measure the impact that you can make by adopting a few small changes to your daily habits https://taronga.org.au/litter-free-oceans/

🌱

28/07/2024

We are roaring about International Tiger Day 🐅🌍

Today, we celebrate these majestic creatures and their vital role to the health of their ecosystems 🌿

Habitat loss and other pressures have led Sumatran Tigers to become Critically Endangered, with less than 350 tigers left in the wild. Growing demand for unsustainable palm oil is the major driver of this habitat loss, with palm oil found in around half of packaged supermarket goods.

You can help save Tigers by calling on some of the biggest Australian and international companies to make the switch to Certified Sustainable Palm Oil, ensuring that Sumatra’s remaining rainforests are protected from deforestation. You can Raise your Palm, calling for change with the other 170,000+ emails that have been sent from our Tiger Trek supermarket to help save the Sumatran Tiger on your next visit.

By raising awareness and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure a future where these magnificent animals continue to thrive in the wild.

Join us in honouring tigers today, and every day, by learning more about their role in the wild, CSPO and how you can make a difference. Together, we can roar for their protection! 🐾

🌱

28/07/2024

Today is World Nature Conservation Day and National Tree Day 🌱

We come together for these annual events to recognise the need to preserve our planet’s natural resources and to reflect on our relationship with our world around us. We can all take steps toward a sustainable future to protect our ecosystems.

Did you know in 2016, we launched our Legacy Species program? The program focuses on the conservation of 10 critical species, five of which are native to Australia, including the Platypus and the Bilby, and five that are on the brink of extinction in Sumatra – a biodiversity hotspot of critical importance 🐯🦏

Together with our partners worldwide, we are actively recovering and protecting habitats, breeding and releasing endangered species, and our expert veterinary teams at our two Wildlife Hospitals care for ~1,500 injured or orphaned wildlife each year.

Together, we can do so much more. From reducing our use of single use plastics, choosing 100% certified sustainable palm oil, recycling our mobile phones to avoid Coltan mining in rainforests, and so much more, we can all make better choices to protect our planet. We can even help to restore our ecosystems by getting our hands dirty and planting a tree 🌳

Today and every day, we can make a difference and secure a shared future for wildlife and people. Find out more about what you can do at our website https://taronga.org.au/conservation-and-science/act-for-the-wild

🌱

26/07/2024

Have a squiz at this 🤭

Sticking to the green and gold theme - our Squirrel Monkey troop top the podium for aerial skills.

These tiny acrobats, with their boundless curiosity and nimble moves, display a mastery of movement as they navigate their environment 🤸‍♂️

You might not have spotted them at the Olympic Opening Ceremony this morning, but you can on your next visit to Taronga Zoo 💚💛

📷 Keeper Scott

26/07/2024

A world-first research program to save the iconic Platypus is officially underway at our sister site, Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo! 👏👏

24/07/2024

Came for the release, stayed for the head pop at the end 🥰

Remember this Little Penguin from last week's post who spent three weeks at our Taronga Wildlife Hospital? 🐧

Here's the release video you've been waiting for - and even better, it's from Senior Keeper Sarah's POV as the little one heads back into the ocean.

The Little Penguin is the smallest penguin species in the world and can spend weeks away at sea, dozing and eating among the waves. During breeding season in September, they build their nests in crevices between rocks or in burrows with the male and female breeding pair taking it in turns to incubate eggs in one or two day shifts 🐣

When we're out and about, it's so important that we keep an eye out for wildlife. If you come across injured wildlife and it is safe to do so, bring them into our Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or Dubbo, where they’ll be assessed and treated by our expert veterinary team.

📹 Keeper Sarah

🌱

23/07/2024

Beads for Wildlife 📿

We’re so proud to announce, together with you, we have reached a huge milestone in our Beads for Wildlife campaign, selling over 125,000 beaded products across our two zoos! Each piece is handmade by women in Northern Kenya, providing them and their families with a sustainable source of income, relieving the pressure on human-wildlife conflict.

Kenya is home to iconic African species, but living alongside them is not always easy 🦁 Severe drought has impacted Northern Kenya, where most communities rely on small-scale agriculture and livestock, increasing pressures on people and wildlife alike 🐘

The Beads for Wildlife program empowers and employs over 1200 women from nine indigenous communities, benefiting families, communities, and local wildlife. More than 3500 children are now able to attend school rather than herding livestock, additional revenue has supported infrastructure and services like clean water, and direct funding has been given to community conservation efforts and rangers 🦏

By choosing Beads for Wildlife, you’re supporting these efforts and protecting Kenya’s wildlife.

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has purchased a Beads for Wildlife product for helping transform the lives of these women and their communities whilst protecting Kenya’s wildlife. You can get your own Beads for Wildlife product on your next visit to Taronga or hop over to our website to join this meaningful cause

📷 Migwa Nthiga (Images 1,3-5)
📷 Kira Mileham (Image 2&6)

22/07/2024

Hey teachers! 📚🍎

Celebrate NAIDOC in the classroom with our free online performance of Animals of the Dreaming lesson with Brewarrina Elder, Uncle Col Hardy, at 1pm on Friday 26 July 2024.

Dial in with your class and join Uncle Col and our amazing Educators as they present an engaging experience of storytelling and music. Participants will be introduced via camera to a wide variety of unique and wonderful Native Australian animals, such as a frog, possum, lizard, snake, and turtle 🦎🐍

To register for this free online performance, head to https://taronga.org.au/education/digital-programs-online-resources/naidoc-week

20/07/2024

Flippin' good news ✨

Three weeks ago, this Little Penguin was found thin, lethargic and dehydrated at Mona Vale Beach.

After receiving some much needed TLC at our Wildlife Hospital, we can now confirm:

🐧 Flippers are a go ✔️

🌊 Oiled up and water-proofed ✔️

💪 Has made gains ✔️

🐟 Qualified Fish connoisseur ✔️

Final step: Stay tuned - release back to the wild soon 👀

🌱

20/07/2024

Impawtant update 🐾

Our on-lion ticket sales are now functioning! 🦁

Please always use our authorised website when purchasing tickets online 👉 www.taronga.org.au

We will continue to honour the online discount at tickets sales made at the gate today.

Thank you for your suppawt 🐾

19/07/2024

Neck to neck 🪶

Emus and Cassowaries are both flightless birds native to Australia and nearby regions, and belong to the same family (Casuariidae), but are otherwise distinct species with differences in appearance, behaviour, and habitat.

Which one of our Australian long-necked feathery friends are you most excited about visiting this weekend?

Get your Zoo tickets for up to 20% off online now at https://www.taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo

18/07/2024

A turtle-y timely reminder that we are halfway through Plastic Free July 🐢♻️

This Green Turtle was found in Lake Macquarie with netting entangled around its flippers and neck and was brought into our Wildlife Hospital where it was found to be severely lethargic and underweight. Our expert vet team worked quickly to free the turtle of netting, but it has swallowed some of the netting and has a line going from mouth to cloaca. The turtle will continue to be assessed and cared for by our dedicated vets and vet nurses 💚

Although we are halfway through Plastic Free July, it's certainly not too late to do our part to keep our streets, oceans, and shared spaces clean, which all help to protect our wildlife. While Plastic Free July focuses on reducing our plastic use for one month, we can all continue to be more mindful of how we're contributing to marine debris and litter waste in our day-to-day lives.

Widlife cases like this are a good reminder that we can all do our part to make better choices to help protect our beautiful wildlife - some ways we can do this is by minimising plastic use, taking our fishing gear with us, and reducing our reliance on single-use items.

Whether you’re on land or at sea, if you come across injured wildlife and it is safe to do so, bring them into our Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or Dubbo, where they’ll be assessed and treated by our expert veterinary team.

🌱

15/07/2024

Bondi the seal-ebrity 🦭

If you've visited our Seals for the Wild presentation, there's a good chance you've met Bondi the Long-nosed Fur Seal!

Rescued from Bondi Beach in 2013 as a young seal pup with a large cookie-cutter shark bite in his torso, he spent several weeks at Taronga's Wildlife Intensive Care Unit being cared for by our expert vet and marine team. He received treatment for his wounds and recovered from malnourishment with a tasty diet of pilchards 🐟

Due to his young age and extensive rehabilitation, Bondi was unsuitable for release back into the open ocean but luckily found a home at our Great Southern Oceans 🌊

Fast forward to today and Bondi has contributed to our breeding program, and is an amazing ambassador for his species, advocating for how we can all do our part to protect our precious marine wildlife. Say hello to Bondi at our Seals for the Wild Presentations, proudly powered by Red Energy three times daily during school holidays at 11am, 1pm and 2pm - free with your Zoo ticket 🎟️

Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation. Every dollar you spend goes towards supporting our Wildlife Hospital to save wildlife, just like Bondi.

🌱

13/07/2024

Today is World Chimpanzee Day 🐵🌿

This honors the day that Dr. Jane Goodall began her groundbreaking and pioneering research on chimpanzees in Tanzania, which revolutionized our understanding of primate behavior and conservation. This day not only celebrates these fascinating primates but also aims to educate about the threats they face in the wild and promote conservation actions we can all make to ensure a shared future where chimpanzees thrive in the wild.

Chimpanzees are our closest living relatives, sharing more than 98% of our genetic blueprint 🧬Sadly, Chimpanzee's are classified as Endangered due to habitat loss, low reproductive rates and illegal wildlife trafficking for the pet trade and bushmeat.

We are proud to be a long-standing partner of the Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA), working to secure Dr Goodall’s vision to protect wild species. With your Taronga Zoo visit, stay, shop or donation, you help us support JGIA programs in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo.

On your next visit to Taronga, bring your old mobile phones and we can recycle a mineral called coltan, which is predominantly mined in Central and is directly linked to habitat destruction and the decline of at least 10 of Africa’s primate species 📱

To learn about our 21-strong Chimpanzee community and hear about conservation efforts from our expert keepers, join us for our 12pm daily Chimpanzee Keeper Talk 🎤

📷 Keeper Scott

12/07/2024

Oh Hi Khyana 😍

Our seven month old Red Panda cubs Khyana and Keisho are on the move around their habitat, using their thick fur coats to keep them warm and toasty on these fresh Sydney mornings.

Pop in to see them climbing or snoozing in the winter sun.

11/07/2024

I spy with my little eye... 👀

Frances, our almost six year old Barking Owl recently underwent cataract surgery. A familiar feathered friend at our Free Flight Bird presentation, Frances' dedicated Keepers began to notice an opacity in her right eye, along with some subtle vision deficits such as missing things as she was flying. Barking owls have distinctive large eyes that have a yellow iris and rely on their keen eyesight to hunt for food 🦉

Animal care is often a collaboration between many different people who have specialised knowledge and skills and our expert vet team at Taronga regularly work together with specialists from a range of fields. Together with ophthalmologist Dr Sarah Coall from Eye Clinic For Animals, Frances was assessed and measurements of her eye were taken via ocular ultrasound. These meausrements were then sent to An-vision in Germany where they created a custom, one-of-a-kind lens that was sent all the way to Australia! 🌏

Once under anaesthetic, Dr Sarah removed the cataract lens via an incision in the cornea and lens bag, and used a special ultrasound powered needle which broke up the lens and sucked it out. The specially-made lens was then folded and inserted, and the cornea was closed with dissolvable sutures - and all of this was done under microscope! 🔬

Take a sticky beak at the amazing images from the surgery.

Dr Sarah visited the next day to perform a retinoscopy - a diagnostic test similiar to when you visit the optometrist to measure how light is refracted through the pupil. Frances passed this exam with flying colours and her sharp vision is expected to return to its optimum levels. Her recovery will continue to be closely monitored by Dr Sarah and the dedicated Keeper and Vet team at Taronga Zoo Sydney 💚

While Frances is putting her wings up, you can still catch our other beautiful Barking Owls at our twice daily Free Flight Bird presentation at 12pm and 3pm - free with your Zoo ticket 🎟️

🌱

09/07/2024

Trunks up Tuesday 🐘

Despite the on and off drizzle that has plagued Sydney until today, you can always count on Pak Boon and Tang Mo to be out and about making the most of the extra mud!

Tang Mo and Pak Boon are set to pack their trunks later next year to head to a larger social herd 🧳

Before then, be sure to pop in to visit these two beautiful girls as they splash through the mud during bath time, interact with expert keeper enrichment activities, or join our free daily Keeper Talk at 1:45pm daily to learn all about the conservation efforts to save these elegant Asian eles 🐘💚

08/07/2024

✨Tilly's tale ✨

Named after our incredible womens' soccer team, Matilda aka Tilly was in poor condition and weighed only 280g when she was admitted to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital as a 4-month-old rescue in 2023. The little puggle was found under a bush on the NSW Central Coast and was weak, severely malnourished and covered in ticks, which affected her waterproofing and made it difficult for her to swim and survive on her own.

Under the care of the expert team at Taronga, Tilly has gone from strength to strength. She is now thriving as a special member of the Taronga family down at our nguwing nura - Nocturnal Country experience 💚

Come and say hello to Tilly at Taronga’s nguwing nura - Nocturnal Country, home to approximately 230 nocturnal animals. Along with Tilly, you can witness three different monotremes all in the same space! 👋

Across both its sites at Sydney and Dubbo, Taronga’s two Wildlife Hospitals receive approximately 1,500 sick, injured or orphaned native animals for treatment and rehabilitation annually, and care for the more than 5000 animals that are onsite.

🌱

06/07/2024

Today marks the beginning of National NAIDOC Week, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the rich, vibrant expansive history of our First Nations culture.

This year's theme, “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak Loud and Proud,” celebrates resilience and calls upon us to amplify voices that have been silenced throughout history. At Taronga, we embed ways of working that honour First Nations people, culture, and place. Working together, we believe we are making a greater impact than working alone.

We aim to listen, to learn, and collaborate continuously. Across our two zoos we strive to connect our guests, students, and staff with this incredible Country, which we are proud caretakers of.

This NAIDOC Week, join us in deepening our understanding, taking meaningful action, and contributing to a brighter future for all Australians.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

05/07/2024

Every day is a 'shear' delight since baby Simon joined the flock 🐑🫶

We are thrilled to introduce you to Backyard to Bush's new arrival of Simon, an Australian White lamb, to first-time mum Florence 💕

Born weighing 4.6kg last Wednesday, Simon is already growing rapidly. Doting mum Florence has perfected the balance of offering him protection and guidance, while also giving him space to explore the habitat and meet the rest of the flock.

Australian White Sheep have been selectively bred to adapt well to the harsh Australian climate and landscape, with a self-shedding coat, and resistance to pests such as flies.

Little lamb Simon and his flock can be spotted daily at Backyard to Bush. They'll be bleating happy to see you!

03/07/2024

Happy World Meerkat Day ✨

Meerkats are masters of teamwork! Living in mobs of up to 30, they dig elaborate burrows together and take turns standing guard to protect their mob from predators and form the ultimate cuddle puddles 🥰

With a lookout always on duty, meerkats signal danger with chirps, ensuring the safety of their playful crew. From wrestling matches, sunbathing, to being king of freshly dug hole, their antics are a daily flurry of activity and a surefire way to put a smile on your dial 🌞

Let’s celebrate Meerkats today and every day by adopting one today from https://taronga.org.au/donate/adopt-an-animal

Each adoption comes with a personalised certificate, fact sheet and updates about Meerkats so you can learn even more about these little mobsters and be

📷 Keeper Ellen

01/07/2024

Update on Gilli the platypus! ☺️

Earlier this year we conducted surveys in The Royal National Park to check on the ten platypuses released last year, and during these surveys, we discovered Gilli, a juvenile platypus.
Gilli was named by Yuin Elder Uncle Dean Kelly and means 'flame' in the local Dharawal language.

In exciting news, recent genetic testing has confirmed Gilli’s parents are Prometheus and Pandora! Prometheus, the Greek god of fire, and Pandora, the first woman in Greek mythology, these names were chosen by researchers Tahneal and Gilad before their relocation into the park. Gilli carries a beautiful and unintended connection to her parents’ name as she’s the first female born in the park, and her name relates to fire. ❤️‍🔥

Celebrate this news with us by adopting a platypus! Your adoption helps fund crucial conservation projects just like this. Find out more via 👉 https://taronga.org.au/donate/adopt-an-animal

"

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http://www.taronga.org.au/

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Videos

Minecraft Eco Detectives Launch 🚀

🌿 Teachers! Ready to bring biodiversity back into you classrooms in a BIG way? 🚀 Introducing Eco Detectives, an electrifying new Minecraft Education game 🕵️‍♂️✨ Launching this weekend to kick off National Science Week, highlighting the theme ‘Species Survival – More Than Just Sustainability’. Students can embark on thrilling missions to save native wildlife and rejuvenate Australia and New Zealand's unique ecosystems. Aligned with curriculum standards, Eco Detectives transforms students into real-world conservation heroes 🌱🐨 Join us on this epic journey and become a dedicated eco-detective! For more information and to jump onboard, head to https://taronga.org.au/education/digital-programs-and-online-resources/minecraft-eco-detectives Together, we can make a difference! 🌟

Oh to be a Zookeeper for a Day 🤩💭 hold up, you can be! Now’s your chance to save 20% on our uniquely wild Keeper for a Day experience, valid for adults until 31 August 2024 ⏳ Shadow Taronga’s expert keepers behind-the-scenes and go into animal habitats, learning the ropes of feeding and enrichment, and meet our furry, feathered, and scaly residents up close. It's the perfect gift for any animal lover or treat yourself with this ultimate behind-the-scenes Taronga experience. To find out more or book, head to http://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/special-experiences/keeper-for-a-day-adult

Came for the release, stayed for the head pop at the end 🥰 Remember this Little Penguin from last week's post who spent three weeks at our Taronga Wildlife Hospital? 🐧 Here's the release video you've been waiting for - and even better, it's from Senior Keeper Sarah's POV as the little one heads back into the ocean. The Little Penguin is the smallest penguin species in the world and can spend weeks away at sea, dozing and eating among the waves. During breeding season in September, they build their nests in crevices between rocks or in burrows with the male and female breeding pair taking it in turns to incubate eggs in one or two day shifts 🐣 When we're out and about, it's so important that we keep an eye out for wildlife. If you come across injured wildlife and it is safe to do so, bring them into our Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or Dubbo, where they’ll be assessed and treated by our expert veterinary team. 📹 Keeper Sarah #ForTheWild 🌱

Flippin' good news ✨ Three weeks ago, this Little Penguin was found thin, lethargic and dehydrated at Mona Vale Beach. After receiving some much needed TLC at our Wildlife Hospital, we can now confirm: 🐧 Flippers are a go ✔️ 🌊 Oiled up and water-proofed ✔️ 💪 Has made gains ✔️ 🐟 Qualified Fish connoisseur ✔️ Final step: Stay tuned - release back to the wild soon 👀 #ForTheWild 🌱

A turtle-y timely reminder that we are halfway through Plastic Free July 🐢♻️ This Green Turtle was found in Lake Macquarie with netting entangled around its flippers and neck and was brought into our Wildlife Hospital where it was found to be severely lethargic and underweight. Our expert vet team worked quickly to free the turtle of netting, but it has swallowed some of the netting and has a line going from mouth to cloaca. The turtle will continue to be assessed and cared for by our dedicated vets and vet nurses 💚 Although we are halfway through Plastic Free July, it's certainly not too late to do our part to keep our streets, oceans, and shared spaces clean, which all help to protect our wildlife. While Plastic Free July focuses on reducing our plastic use for one month, we can all continue to be more mindful of how we're contributing to marine debris and litter waste in our day-to-day lives. Widlife cases like this are a good reminder that we can all do our part to make better choices to help protect our beautiful wildlife - some ways we can do this is by minimising plastic use, taking our fishing gear with us, and reducing our reliance on single-use items. Whether you’re on land or at sea, if you come across injured wildlife and it is safe to do so, bring them into our Taronga Wildlife Hospital in Sydney or Dubbo, where they’ll be assessed and treated by our expert veterinary team. #ForTheWild 🌱

Tapping through the week like little Lemba 🫶Like humans, Chimpanzees use body movements to communicate and express themselves.Lemba's foot tapping and stomps are gestures of play and excitment!Thanks to Keeper Laura for sharing this behind-the-scenes sneak peek during an indoor conditioning session of Lemba's reaction to her favourtie food item - corn 🌽 📹 Keeper Laura

Oh Hi Khyana 😍 Our seven month old Red Panda cubs Khyana and Keisho are on the move around their habitat, using their thick fur coats to keep them warm and toasty on these fresh Sydney mornings. Pop in to see them climbing or snoozing in the winter sun. #ForTheWild

Tilly the Platypus

✨Tilly's tale ✨ Named after our incredible womens' soccer team, Matilda aka Tilly was in poor condition and weighed only 280g when she was admitted to Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital as a 4-month-old rescue in 2023. The little puggle was found under a bush on the NSW Central Coast and was weak, severely malnourished and covered in ticks, which affected her waterproofing and made it difficult for her to swim and survive on her own. Under the care of the expert team at Taronga, Tilly has gone from strength to strength. She is now thriving as a special member of the Taronga family down at our nguwing nura - Nocturnal Country experience 💚 Come and say hello to Tilly at Taronga’s nguwing nura - Nocturnal Country, home to approximately 230 nocturnal animals. Along with Tilly, you can witness three different monotremes all in the same space! 👋 Across both its sites at Sydney and Dubbo, Taronga’s two Wildlife Hospitals receive approximately 1,500 sick, injured or orphaned native animals for treatment and rehabilitation annually, and care for the more than 5000 animals that are onsite. #ForTheWild 🌱

ARC is now open at Taronga Zoo!

🌟 Exciting Update from Taronga Zoo Sydney! 🌟 Yesterday, we proudly opened the doors to Taronga’s brand-new Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre—ARC 🐍🐢 🐸 Located on beautiful Cammeraigal Country, ARC offers an immersive experience inviting you to explore six unique climate zones. Journey from the frosty sub-alpine region, home to the rare and vibrant Corroboree Frog, to scorching deserts and lush rainforests where the mesmerizing Reticulated Python resides. Amid this excitement, we face a sobering reality. According to the IUCN Red List, 41% of amphibians and 20% of reptiles are threatened with extinction. At Taronga, we’re committed to reversing these alarming trends and safeguarding these often-overlooked species that play a critical role in our ecosystems. Taronga is at the forefront of reptile and amphibian conservation in Australia, working tirelessly to save seven species from the brink of extinction. Soon, five of these species will be on display at ARC. These include the Yellow-spotted Bell Frog, Bellinger River Snapping Turtle, Booroolong Frog, Southern Corroboree Frog, and Northern Corroboree Frog on which Taronga works very closely with the NSW Government’s Saving our Species Program. ARC is more than just a new experience, it's a beacon of hope for conservation. Where you can witness our team of passionate conservationists, keepers, and scientists conducting vital recovery programs. Home to over 42 fascinating species that jump, slither, and crawl from around the globe, ARC offers an extraordinary chance to encounter today’s real-life dinosaurs. Opening just in time for the winter school holidays, ARC is the perfect place for families and wildlife enthusiasts to explore, engage, and learn. Discover new arrivals and crowd favourites in state-of-the-art habitats and join us in our mission to inspire guests to do more and be more for the wild. Come and experience ARC for yourself! Learn more about Sydney’s newest Amp

ARC IS OFFICIALLY OPEN 🐸🐍 🐢 Jump, slither and crawl into ARC - our brand-new Amphibian and Reptile experience! From icy sub-alpine regions to blazing deserts and lush tropical rainforests, we promise to warm up endo- and ecto-therms alike with 42 incredible species to meet 👀 Slither through our six immersive zones, before exploring an open-air rooftop full of sun-loving creatures, coming face to face with and encountering creatures as old as the dinosaurs! ARC is a free, indoor experience included in your zoo ticket or membership 🎟️ We can't wait to see you when you visit ARC ssssoon 🦎 #ForTheWild #ARC

This week’s ARC creature reveal is the Eyelash Viper! 🐍✨ Known for their unique "eyelash" scales, these vibrant snakes are camouflage experts in tropical forests and have one of the fastest strikes in the animal kingdom. We can't wait for you to meet it in ARC ssssoon! #ForTheWild #ARC

🐾🌿 A tiny new arrival has emerged at Nguwing Nura 🌟

We’re thrilled to welcome a precious Long-nosed Potoroo joey at nguwing nura - Nocturnal Country 🌟 This little one is just starting to emerge from its mum's pouch and explore the world. Stay tuned for updates as it grows in confidence and size, and as our keepers select the perfect name. 🎥 Keeper Laura

We had a very special guest at Taronga today 🐒💚 A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jane Goodall for being a beacon of inspiration to our young conservationists! Today, as with all days, Jane inspired our future leaders - meeting and hearing from students from Taronga’s Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) and the Jane Goodall Institute Australia’s Roots and Shoots program. Jane’s tireless dedication to wildlife preservation ignites a passion for protecting our planet in the hearts of future generations 🌿 At Taronga Zoo, we’re proud to stand alongside you in fostering a love for nature and a commitment to its conservation. Thank you Jane, for showing us the power of compassion and determination 🌍 Together, we can create a shared future for people and wildlife. #ForTheWild

Little Eve, the ice mound queen🧊🦭 Like many Sydney-siders, 5-month-old Long-nosed Fur Seal pup Eve is getting a taste of the first day of Winter ❄️ What better enrichment is there for Eve’s first ever Winter’s day than icy goodness to get into the swing of the season? 📹 Keeper Julia

Breaky with Ekundu for World Bongo Day 🍃 Eastern Bongos are the largest and most vibrant of all the forest antelope, but also one of the rarest with less than 100 individuals left in the mountains of Kenya. They rely on areas with abundant year-round vegetation to maintain their large sizes. 18-year-year old male Eastern Bongo Ekundu has sired four calves in Taronga’s breeding program at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. With so few individuals remaining in the wild, every birth and individual in zoo care is an important part of global efforts to save this Critically Endangered species. Explore our Rainforest Trail to spot Ekundu at Taronga Zoo Sydney or head out to Taronga Western Plains Zoo to see the herd and witness the breeding program for yourself. You can support Eastern Bongos and other African species through Beads for Wildlife. The handcrafted bead products sold by Taronga provide a reliable income for female artists in Kenya, empowering them with a source of income that doesn’t harm the local environment. Proceeds go directly to the artists to support them, their families , as well as supporting community conservation efforts. 📿 You can purchase a Beads For Wildlife product during your next visit to Taronga or from our online store at https://zooshop.taronga.org.au/collections/beads-for-wildlife 📹 Keeper Darcie #ForTheWild

In Otter News 📰: Today is World Otter Day 🦦 Did you know there are 13 species of Otters? Our Carnivore Keepers care for two Asian Small-clawed Otters, female Pia and male Ketut, which are the smallest and most dexterous otter species in Asia! With their short claws, agile and reduced webbing fingers, these small but mighty Otters are a constant flurry of activity, using their feet to forage through rocks and sand of riverbeds and to manipulate and break open shells 🦐 You otter get a wriggle on to catch the playful flurry of foraging and activity at one of the many enriching feeds our keepers provide to our Asian Small-clawed Otters throughout the day 🐟 📹 Keeper Molly

Black Rhino Pregnancy Announcement

Two sets of critically endangered little hooves are expected at Taronga Western Plains Zoo 🦏🦏 Last week, our sister zoo in Dubbo announced that they are expecting two Black Rhino calves later this year! Female Black Rhino Bakhita is expecting her fifth calf from July, while first-time mother Mesi is due to have her first calf around August 🧡 Be sure to follow Taronga Western Plains Zoo to stay tuned for future updates about our conservation breeding program for this critically endangered species. #ForTheWild

Snug as a bug in a rug? More like as cozy as a wombat joey in a pouch ☺️❤️ Keeper Amy captured this adorable sight of Southern-Hairy-nosed wombat joey Yadu tucked up in the safety and warmth of her mom Jedda’s pouch one morning. Don’t miss the chance to see the new arrival at Taronga’s Backyard to Bush! 🌟 Top Tip: Yadu is more active in the afternoon!

World Turtle Day 🐢💚

On this World Turtle Day we're throwing it back to December last year when Taronga, alongside partners from the NSW Government's Saving our Species Program and Symbio Wildlife Park, released 97 zoo-bred Bellinger River snapping turtles into the Bellinger River on Gumbaynggirr Country 🌍🐢 This was the fifth – and largest – release, bringing the total number of zoo-bred Bellinger River snapping turtles introduced into the wild to 179. An incredible outcome, especially given there were estimated to be merely 150 turtles remaining in the river post-mortality event in 2015. In more exciting news, we are delighted to announce that the Bellinger River turtles will be on display at Taronga’s scaliest new experience – the Amphibian Reptile Conservation Centre (ARC), opening in just over a month. With a dedicated conservation level, you will be able to gain a real understanding of the incredible work involved in bringing species back from the brink! Now that's something to shellabrate! Sssstay tuned for updates 🌿💚 #ForTheWild #WorldTurtleDay #ARCTaronga

World Tree Kangaroo Day!

What better way to start the day than sharing an ASMR Tree Roo style breakfast on World Tree Kangaroo Day?! 🌳🦘 The arboreal marsupials are superb climbers, using their powerful limbs, curved claws and long tail to climb and leap amongst the treetops. Compared to other macropods (Kangaroo family), Tree Kangaroos are the only species who can move their hind limbs independently while walking. All 14 species of Tree Kangaroos are found only in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and far North Queensland and all face the challenge of habitat loss. You can help protect forest wildlife including the Tree Kangaroo by choosing the FSC eco-label when purchasing wood and paper products 🌱 Walk the boardwalk between our two endangered Goodellow’s Tree Kangaroo habitats, stopping to look up to take in our two majestic marsupials, Kwikila and Makali, in Nura Diya Australia. As a not-for-profit, your ticket to Taronga has the power to protect wildlife 🦘 📹 Keeper Sam #ForTheWild #ASMR #WorldTreeKangarooDay #TreeRooCrunchathon2024 #Conservation #WeAreAZA #TKSafe #SavingSpecies