Media Releases
Pygmy Hippo Baby (November 7, 2008)
Taronga Zoo is celebrating its first Pygmy Hippopotamus calf birth in 23 years. The youngster named ‘Monifa', meaning ‘I am lucky' in Nigerian weighed just 3.8 kilograms when it was born in the early hours of October 15 to first-time mother, ‘Petre' and father ‘Timmy'. However after a difficult breach birth, the Zoo's dedicated keepers made the decision to intervene and hand-raise the precious female calf..
Devil Breeding Success Gets National Fundraising Boost (October 17, 2008)
With 34 joeys already born in the national insurance population of Tasmanian Devils, an Australia-wide fundraising campaign to expand the program was announced at Taronga Zoo today..
Chimpanzees' Champion Dr Jane Goodall Visits Taronga (October 11, 2008)
Internationally renowned Chimpanzee researcher, Dr Jane Goodall, visited Taronga's Chimpanzees today during her national tour to inspire Australians to protect wildlife..
Spring Fever for released Regent Honeyeaters (September 25, 2008)
At least one pair of zoo-bred Regent Honeyeaters are incubating eggs, with at least four other nests being built by other pairs just four months since they were released at Chiltern in Victoria. .
Taronga Breeding Successes for Endangered Elephants and Gorillas (August 28, 2008)
An infant male Western Lowland Gorilla made his public debut at Taronga today as the Zoo also announced its first-ever artificial insemination (AI) of an Asian Elephant..
Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter Signed at Taronga Zoo (August 21, 2008)
The Taronga Conservation Society Australia (TCSA) and the Public Service Association (PSA) signed the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter on August 21, 2008 .
New Taronga Seal Show Debuts For Conservation (July 24, 2008)
The Parliamentary Secretary for Mining And Energy, the Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC, today called on the Zoo's seals and seal-lions to debut the conservation messages of the new Seal Show at the official opening of EnergyAustralia ‘s Great Southern Oceans (GSO)..
Jantan's 21st Brings Focus To Wild Orangs' Plight (July 11, 2008)
Although this is a milestone for Jantan, it brings focus to the plight of his species due to the massive clearing of forests for palm oil plantations. Orang-utans are clinging to survival in lowland and mountainous tropical rainforests of Northern Sumatra and most of lowland Borneo. These forests are rapidly being cut down to plant palm oil plantations due to the rapidly increasing demand for the oil. .
Taronga Releases Rescued Little Penguin At North Curl Curl (July 10, 2008)
One of Sydney's resident Little Penguins will today be released back into her home waters after some much needed care at Taronga Zoo. .
Taronga Foundation Mission For Critically Endangered Iguana (June 21, 2008)
The critically endangered Fijian Crested Iguana will be one of eight species given a helping hand through the inaugural Taronga Foundation Conservation Field Grants program announced today at the Zoo. It is one of eight wildlife programs to receive vital support with a total $40,000 committed by The Taronga Foundation to assist animals in their natural habitats from Aceh and Botswana to Vietnam and the Daintree..
Taronga Takes Next Step In Elephant Breeding Program (May 29, 2008)
International elephant reproduction specialists have praised Taronga's planning and preparation in the zoo's first attempt at Asian Elephant artificial insemination (AI), Zoo Director and Chief Executive, Guy Cooper, said today..
Narrabeen Students Join Taronga Against Climate Change (May 27, 2008)
Over 200 students from Narrabeen schools will celebrate the launch of a new climate change initiative this Thursday from 10.45am, at the Coastal Environment Centre, Narrabeen. Taronga Zoo started the new education program, Peninsula Environmental Action for Community Education (PEACE), to raise awareness about the impact of climate change and promote positive action by local school students..
Brooke Farewelled (May 23, 2008)
Taronga's much-loved Leopard Seal 'Brooke' passed away yesterday evening after a brief illness. 'Brooke' came to the zoo in 1999 after being found on Garie Beach in the Royal National Park drastically underweight, dehydrated and suffering from shark attack injuries..
Regent Honeyeater breeding program soars (May 8, 2008)
With only an estimated 1500 Regent Honeyeaters left in the wild, the release of twenty eight birds from a successful regional breeding program is well timed. Taronga Zoo in partnership with wildlife agencies manages a vital breed-for-release program for this endangered species. The small black and yellow honeyeaters have been rapidly disappearing from their native habitat along the Box and Ironbark forests of the Great Dividing Range at an alarming rate..
Shy New Chimpanzee Arrival Makes Mother's Day Debut (May 8, 2008)
Taronga's newest Chimpanzee mother, 'Sacha' today started Mother's Day celebrations early, by revealing her new baby boy which has been snuggling close to her belly since his arrival last month. .
Great Southern Oceans (April 3, 2008)
Taronga Zoo's expansive Great Southern Oceans exhibit, opening to the public for today, provides an important and thrilling introduction to Australia's marine wildlife..
Taronga Zoo farewells Cynthia the Kodiak Bear (March 27, 2008)
Taronga Zoo has bid a sad farewell to one of its longest-standing residents today, with Cynthia the Kodiak Bear passing peacefully away at the grand old age of 31. Cynthia and her sister Bethel have awed Taronga Zoo visitors since they arrived in Sydney in 1985..
Taronga's Fiordland Penguins Step Out (March 17, 2008)
Taronga's keepers have discovered Fiordland Penguins like to walk. Zoo visitors have been enchanted to discover Mr Munro and female penguins, 'Chalky' and 'Milford' out for a stroll through the Zoo grounds as part of their exercise routine..
Zoos Announce Australasian Program To Save Frogs (March 10, 2008)
Australasian Zoos have joined world Zoos in Year of the Frog 2008 to help avert the dramatic increase in frog extinctions. The coordinated regional conservation strategy will be announced during the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria Conference at Taronga Zoo this week. The program addresses the steady decline of Australasia's frog populations with 47 species out of 220 endangered by habitat loss and disease..
Taronga-Bred Booroolong Frogs Released In Bush (February 19, 2008)
The first Booroolong Frogs to be bred in zoos will be released today, only a year after Taronga started a breeding program to save the tiny amphibian. The critically endangered native species has suffered unprecedented population declines recently, with fewer than 5000 individual Frogs remaining in the wild. The decline has been attributed to water pollution, loss of habitat and use of herbicides and pesticides, as well as chyrtid fungus and climate change. .
First Elephant Pregnancy In Australasia (February 14, 2008)
Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water Phil Koperberg announced today that a baby elephant is expected to be delivered at Taronga Zoo's Wild Asia in mid 2009 - a first for the Australasian region..
Taronga Zoo building an improved car park (February 6, 2008)
Taronga will upgrade car parking from February 2008 to improve visitor and community convenience and safety. When completed in early 2009, the new car park will reduce street parking by taking 400 cars off the streets. This will improve safety and traffic flows for visitors and contribute positively to the Zoo's environmental footprint..
Zoos Announce New Conservation Direction (January 21, 2008)
Taronga and Western Plains Zoos are to be part of the new Taronga Conservation Society Australia formed as a comprehensive approach to the needs of wildlife. The Zoos' Director and Chief Executive, Guy Cooper, said: "With our many new activities in research, conservation and in situ wildlife projects like the recent Gorilla birth at Taronga and our role in national breeding efforts to save the Tasmanian Devil, we needed a name that better describes our wide ranging activities to our community." .
Zoo Saddened by Passing of Grand Old Giraffe, Hope (December 17, 2007)
Taronga Zoo keepers have been saddened by the passing of their oldest and much loved Giraffe ‘Hope' today. At 24 years of age, ‘Hope' was one of the oldest Giraffes in the Australasian region and a much loved resident of Taronga Zoo. .
Taronga Welcomes Christmas Gorilla Baby (December 11, 2007)
Taronga Zoo's wonderful Western Lowland Gorilla group welcomed a brand new addition to their family. The tiny infant male was born to proud mother Frala..
Taronga's Elephants Enjoying Life In Sydney (November 13, 2007)
Taronga's 12 month report to the Department of Environment and Water Resources (DEW) has confirmed its five Asian Elephants are happy, healthy and very active..
Loretta the Owl Rescued From Ravens (October 23, 2007)
A beautiful and rare Powerful Owl chick is recovering at Taronga Zoo's Wildlife Hospital after being rescued from attacking ravens in the Lane Cove National Park..
From the monsters mouth: Lizard spits out new diabetes treatment at Taronga (September 12, 2007)
Taronga's Gila Monster lizard today helped showcase the release of a new diabetes treatment in Australia that has been synthesized from the lizards venom..
Jimiyu The Giraffe Makes A Taronga Sea Change (August 22, 2007)
Great Western Highway traffic today will also include a four metre tall male giraffe called Jimiyu on his way from Western Plains Zoo to join Taronga's giraffe herd..
Full Circle Of Life Played Out At Zoos (August 22, 2007)
Taronga and Western Plains Zoos' animals hold a very special place in many people's minds. Numerous childhood memories focus on visiting our Zoos and being enriched by the animal residents, their individual personalities and character traits. This is why news of a death causes widespread sadness..
A Whisker Away From Understanding Climate Change (August 21, 2007)
Whiskers are normally something men shave off and rinse down the drain every morning, but at Taronga Zoo, our seals' whiskers are being carefully measured and analysed as part of a research project about climate change..
Zoos Join Forces in Bid to Help 7,000 Bears (August 2, 2007)
Zoos across Australia and New Zealand have launched a campaign seeking one million supporters to help rescue 7,000 bears and put an end to bear bile farming in China..
Taronga helps students discover conservation on Shelly Beach (July 31, 2007)
Manly Village Public School students are on a quest to help Little Penguins return to Manly Beach. The Year Five and Six students have been working with Taronga Zoo's Education Department to create Penguin Rescue Diaries. On Monday 30 July, the students and Zoo staff walked down to Shelly Beach from the school to carry out an audit of the beach and to try to identify what needed to be done to make the existing habitat more suitable to the penguins' needs..
Steve Irwin Fellowship Winner Welcomed to Taronga Zoo (July 20, 2007)
From coming home with a pet alligator found at a garage sale, to cloning coral for pet shops, Matt Basile has certainly proven his love for and commitment to wildlife and their conservation during his young life. The Chicago teenager has just completed a week-long work experience appointment at Taronga Zoo before heading to Australia Zoo..
Zoo Saddened By Passing of Grand Old Chimpanzee (July 19, 2007)
Taronga Zoo keepers have been saddened by the peaceful passing of their oldest and much loved Chimpanzee ‘Fifi' today. Fifi had celebrated her 60th birthday in May, an impressive milestone which made her one of the oldest Chimpanzees in the world..
Buddhist Monks Check Their Blessings At (July 16, 2007)
Taronga's wildlife received a special visit on July 9 from five monks from the Sakya Tharpa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Institute and Meditation Centre. Led by the 13 year-old Gyalsay Rinpoche, the monks were visiting the Zoo's Snow Leopards and Asian Elephants which they had previously blessed..
A tickle for Tiquie (July 16, 2007)
Visitors today at Taronga Zoo were delighted to see Tiquie', the 10 year old Brazilian Tapir, relishing her grooming session with Senior Exotic Mammals Keeper Renae Zammit..
Keepers Look Out For Hope (July 9, 2007)
Hope, Taronga Zoo's 23 year old female giraffe, swings her head around and seems to stare directly at her keeper Jimmy's face as he walks past rattling his keys..
Zoo Celebrates first Binturong Breeding in 50 Years (May 30, 2007)
Taronga is celebrating the arrival of a baby Binturong, the secretive Asian ‘bear-cat', which is the first to be bred at the Zoo since they were first displayed in the 1950s..
Grand Old Chimpanzee Fifi Turns 60 (May 21, 2007)
Taronga Zoo's Chimpanzee family will be celebrating a birthday milestone today with a special vegetable cake, watermelons and additional coconuts as their oldest member ‘Fifi' turns 60..
Brave Fiordland Crested Penguin Mr Munro meets his match (May 19, 2007)
A rare penguin that braved a record-breaking 2,000km swim and washed up on a remote beach dying from starvation has not only been successfully nursed back to health, but was this morning introduced to two females of his species and is looking forward to moving into a custom-designed new home at Taronga Zoo..
Wallaby Joeys Get Helping Hand From Surrogate Dads (May 9, 2007)
Taronga Zoo keepers, Darryl Lewry, and Geoff Harris are also doubling as surrogate dads hand-raising two Red-necked Wallaby joeys..
Young Snow Leopard Gets Clean Bill of Health (May 7, 2007)
Taronga's veterinarians recently gave the Zoo's youngest female Snow Leopard, ‘Kamala', a complete physical examination at the Zoo's Veterinary and Quarantine Centre..
Red Pandamonium at Taronga (March 28, 2007)
Taronga Zoo is seeing red after twin Red Panda cubs have started to emerge from of their warm nestbox to explore their outdoor exhibit with their mum..