Annual Review 2017 – 2018

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iNTOAnnual Review 2017 –THE 2018 WILD GREEN SEA TURTLE IS ‘ALICE’ RELEASED AFTER BEING TREATED FOR MARINE DEBRIS WOUNDS TARONGA AT WILDLIFE HOSPITAL Zerna/Daily Toby By Telegraph SYDNEY HEADS IN SYDNEY HARBOUR, E AUSTRALIA S 151°17’46.4” 33°49’55.0”

iNTOANNUAL THE REVIEW WILD 2017 – 2018 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

A share� future  wildlife

At Taronga pe�ple Conservation Society Australia, we believe that wildlife and people can share this planet.

We believe that all of us have a responsibility to protect the world’s precious wildlife, not just in our lifetimes, but for generations into the future. Our Zoos create experiences that delight and inspire lasting connections between people and wildlife. We aim to change lives and create conservation champions eager to engage with their communities and to value the wildlife in their care, and around the world. Our activities range from resolving human-lion conflict in Botswana, to successfully breeding Yellow-spotted Bell Frogs, a species at imminent threat of extinction, and nurturing Australian school children to become conservation and wildlife champions. Our conservation breeding programs for threatened and priority wildlife help a myriad of species, with our 10 Legacy Species representing an increased commitment over the next decade to five Australian and five Sumatran species at risk of extinction. In the last 12 months alone Taronga partnered with 38 organisations working on the front line of conservation across 33 countries. Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation. We pay no dividends, and any surplus is put straight back into support, care and conservation of wildlife. PLATYPUS RELEASE Amy By Russell COLO RIVER, AUSTRALIA 150°40’30.4”E 33°18’53.5”S

4 5 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW � Table

c�ntentsOur Strategic Direction ��8 Chairman’s Report ��10 Executive Director and Chief Executive’s Report ��12 Conservation Science in Australia ��14 Year in Brief: Our Global Reach ��16 Visitation Snapshot ��19 Financials Snapshot ��20 Conservation Science ��22 Wildlife in Our Care ��26 Excellence in Conservation Education ��30 Transformational Guest Experiences ��34 Engage and Influence ��38 People and Organisational Strength ��42 Financial and Environmental Sustainability ��46 Centenary Capital Plan ��50

Bradleys Head Road, Mosman NSW 2088 PO Box 20, Mosman NSW 2088 Tel: 02 9969 2777 | Fax: 02 9969 7515 Open 9.30–5.00pm (Sept–Apr) Open 9.30–4.30pm (May–Aug) taronga.org.au

Obley Rd, Dubbo NSW 2830

Chris Wheeler SYDNEY,y Chris AUSTRALIA 33°50’36.5”S 151°14’36.2”E PO Box 831, Dubbo NSW 2830 Tel: 02 6881 1400 | Fax: 02 6884 1722 Open 9.00–4.00pm taronga.org.au GREATER BILBY B

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Our�ur vision isstrategic to secure a shared future �irection for wildlife and people. Our strategic plan defines our unique role, and the way we contribute to wildlife conservation, science and learning.

Our vision

Securing a shared future for wildlife and people

Our role

As leaders in conservation, we protect wildlife and empower Conservation Engage and people to secure a sustainable Outcomes Influence future for our planet

Wildlife in Excellence in Our Care Conservation Education Strategic focus areas

Transformational Guest Experiences

People and Centenary Organisational Capital Plan Strength Key enablers

Financial and Environmental Sustainability y Rick Stevens TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 32°16’55.2”S 148°34’38.9”E

Symbol Platypus Symbol Giraffe (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) (Giraffa camelopardalis) Opened October 1916 Opened February 1977

Site 28 hectares Site 319 hectares ASIAN ELEPHANT CALF B Animals Number of Animals: 4,480 Animals Number of Animals: 705 Species/sub-species: 307 Species/sub-species: 64

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More than 2 million people visited our Zoos over the past 12 months, representing the second year of record attendance, with both the proportion and total number of international guests coming through Chairman’s our gates also continuing to grow. These attendance levels not only reflect Taronga’s growing influence, popularity and reputation in Australia and across the globe – they have also enabled robust investment back into our Zoos, with more than $60 million in capital expenditure over the past year adding to and improving HavingRep marked�rt our centenary our animals’ environments and wellbeing, as well as the experiences available to our ever-growing number of guests. last year, it was fitting that the Exciting new experiences launched this year included the new $9 million Lion Pride Lands exhibit at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – resulting in commencement of our second the Zoo’s largest media event of the calendar year, and contributing to its 10% growth in admissions in 2017/18. Meanwhile at Taronga Zoo century of operation focussed on Sydney, the launch of the highly choreographed Tiger Trek experience not only exposed guests to a unique and authentic Sumatran cultural the values and efforts that make and wildlife interpretation, but has so far empowered more than 60,000 guests to encourage consumer brands to transition to Certified Taronga an integral player in Sustainable Palm Oil through the ‘Raise Your Palm’ campaign. This successful community campaign was just one example of Taronga’s contemporary, global wildlife and influence extending beyond Zoo grounds, with our conservation and science programs continuing to achieve significant milestones habitat conservation. This year an for wildlife, habitats and communities in Australia and worldwide. In 2017/18, these programs ranged from students using science to protect unprecedented number of guests locally endangered wildlife as part of Taronga’s award-winning Project Insitu, through to successful breed-and-release programs which saw endangered species such as the Yellow-spotted Bell Frog – once thought to both our Zoos not only shared to be extinct – successfully reintroduced into the wild. in this 21st century conservation These efforts were supported by our ongoing and new partnerships with Australian and global conservation organisations and corporations, vision, but helped make it a reality. as well as more than $9 million in generous donations made to the Taronga Foundation. Once again sustainability was at the forefront of our operations this year, with significant achievements including removing more than 1 million items of single-use plastic from Taronga’s food outlets, investing $750,000 in solar PV for clean electricity generation, and offsetting our carbon emissions whilst simultaneously helping to secure the habitats of our legacy species – all part of our commitment to becoming certified carbon neutral by 2019. Mandy Turner TARONGA WESTERN Turner y Mandy PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 148°35’15.4”E 32°16’37.0”S And of course, a highlight every year is celebrating the new lives that joined us at both Zoos and 2017/18 was no different. Births included six cheetah cubs, two Takhi (Przewalski’s Horse) foals, two Giraffe calves, a female Asian Elephant calf, a Black Rhinoceros calf, a baby Western Lowland Gorilla, a Chimpanzee baby, an Australian Sea-lion pup, and a Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey. Finally, I recognise the contribution and support of the Hon. Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Environment and Heritage and would like to thank the members of the Taronga Board for their support and assistance throughout the year – and, of course, all our dedicated staff and volunteers who should be proud of their hard work and many accomplishments.

Steve Crane Chairman CHAIRMAN STEVE CRANE WITH BLACK RHINOCEROS B

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Executive Director 

LookingChief back onExecutive’s the achievements of the past Rep�rt 12 months, we can truly say that moving into its second century, Taronga has embraced its contemporary mandate as an advocate and representative for wildlife – not just within our Zoos but across Australia and the world.

In July 2017, I was honoured to join 10 Taronga supporters journeying into Both of our Zoos were again the site of a number of successful community the heart of Sumatra, at Way Kambas National Park, as part of the ‘CEO events over the past year, attended by a total of more than 150,000 Challenge’ to learn about and bolster support for endangered Sumatran people. These included yet another successful Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo, wildlife. At the same time, back on home soil, guests at Taronga Zoo our third consecutive Eid, New Year’s Eve and the 23rd Twilight Concert Sydney were given the opportunity to connect with Sumatran culture and series. At Taronga Western Plains, highlights included the launch of Lion one of our 10 Legacy Species, the Sumatran Tiger – whilst learning about Pride Lands in March 2018 and the Zoo’s 40th birthday celebrations in Taronga’s involvement in vital conservation programs – with the launch October 2017. More than 100 volunteers and employees participated in of our unique Tiger Trek experience. a lantern parade in celebration of the Zoo and its shared history with the Dubbo community. We can be proud of the significant efforts and milestones already achieved in the inaugural year of our 10 Legacy Species program. Over the next Our achievements and accolades have been many and varied over the decade, this program seeks to turn around the fate of five Australian and past year – as you’ll see in the following review – and they couldn’t have five Sumatran species that are at threat of extinction. While Tiger Trek happened without involvement of the whole Taronga family, including raises awareness and elicited real conservation action on behalf of the our dedicated Board, valued partners, generous supporters and tireless Sumatran Tiger, over at Taronga Western Plains Zoo a 110ha predator- employees and volunteers to whom I offer a heartfelt thanks. I hope you proof sanctuary was established for the endangered Greater Bilby, as part all have many memories of a successful year and look forward to of the National Recovery Plan for the iconic Australian species. another spectacular 12 months ahead. Meanwhile, prospects for Sumatra’s endangered pangolin – the world’s most trafficked mammal – are a little brighter with Taronga-led forensic research offering valuable scientific insights for conservationists and law enforcement. At the same time, in a public awareness coup for the species, the pangolin featured on the cover of Australian Geographic in Cameron Kerr an article focussing on the work of Taronga scientists. In 2017/18 we also Executive Director & Chief Executive celebrated the birth of a female Asian Elephant, and successfully bred and released endangered Corroboree Frogs into the wild – and this is all just the beginning of what is shaping up to be a powerful new program to protect and raise awareness of endangered wildlife. y Guy Dixon TARONGA ZOO, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°50’38.3”S 151°14’21.1”E Of course, our conservation programs are wide and varied – and include Taronga’s Great Barrier Reef coral preservation work, which continued to thrive this year. New coral cell types collected from Heron Island increased the genetic diversity of Taronga’s Cryodiversity Bank to include species from the southern Reef. With 16 coral species, Taronga now houses the largest coral bank in the world. Nurturing the next generation of scientists, conservationists and wildlife advocates remains central to our goals, and in 2017/18 more than 150,000 students participated in our formal and informal education programs. The long-awaited Institute of Science and Learning was also successfully completed this year, representing a hub of science and education initiatives that will increase Taronga’s capacity to conduct essential research and cultivate future scientists. Taronga’s Burbangana program for at-risk young people, run in collaboration with Family and Community Services, saw its highest number of graduates since its launch 10 years ago with a record 24 young people CAMERON KERR WITH CORROBOREE FROG B engaging in valuable educational programs and activities at the Zoo.

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Heron Island Christmas Island Coral cryobanking Christmas Island reptile bringing new genetic disease investigation diversity from the southern region of the Great Barrier Reef

Photo: Gary Cranitch

Dubbo Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Plains-wanderer breeding program c�nservation Photo: Corrine Symons Sydney

Improved diet science  for Echidnas Photo: Short-beaked Echidna by Lorinda Taylor australiaOver the last 12 months Taronga scientists and partner organisations conducted multidisciplinary Sydney programs under our unified mission of increasing understanding and protection of wildlife through Assessing the ecological role of Brush-turkeys in investigation, evidence-based application and urban Sydney communication of science to the community. Photo: Tony Britt-Lewis Taronga’s programs and partnerships within and beyond Australia have been carefully Brindabella Mountains selected to ensure effective, practical and timely Northern Corroboree outcomes that address current and future Frog release Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay conservation challenges, particularly in wildlife and ecosystem health. With our partners in Translocation of Eastern Quoll from Tasmania university, governmental agencies and non- governmental conservation groups, we have garnered scientific grants from highly competitive funding bodies, including the Australian Research Council, to support these programs. Since 2011, almost $1.2 million of philanthropic donations acquired through the Taronga Foundation have been leveraged to provide over $7 million in scientific grants, allowing Taronga to continue Yass Montague Island Sydney Oceans wildlife conservation initiatives underpinned by Yellow-spotted Bell Frog Sensing the seascape Satellite tracking of our expertise spanning wildlife health, ecology, reintroduction research into the impact marine turtles released of climate on marine from Taronga Wildlife biodiversity conservation (reproduction and Photo: Amy Russell ecosystems Hospital (TWH) genetics), behaviour and nutrition. Photo: Little Penguins Photo: Toby Zerna, by Anders Alexander Daily Telegraph

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Nepal Cambodia

Funding vital research Conservation partnership programs in Kathmandu with Free the Bears to Benin Valley to support pangolin rescue Sun Bears conservation Strengthening the Photo: Rick Stevens Vietnam conservation of Benin’s Supporting staff training threatened primates through to conserve the White- community empowerment cheeked Gibbon and Saola in Pu Mat National Park

Central Kalimantan Indonesia Republic of Congo Initiating Biodiversity Conservation in the Partnership with Rungan River landscape Jane Goodall Institute Australia caring for Chimpanzees at Tchimpounga Sanctuary Sumatra, Indonesia

Supporting the protection Indonesia of Taronga’s Sumatran Northern Botswana Year  Brief: Legacy Species in Way Stable isotope analysis Supporting a community- Kambas National Park of echidna quills to assess animal origin led early warning system for Rhino protection with the carnivore and people coexistence International Rhino Foundation Photo: Paul Fahy Supporting the protection �ur Gl�bal of Painted Terrapin eggs from poaching and natural predation

ReachTaronga’s conservation programs support Botswana Australia wildlife, habitats and communities in Reducing conflict Improving our understanding 33 countries around the world. between communities Fiji and lions with i-Cow of environmental impacts on Platypus health and distribution Supporting the survival of Taronga directly contributes over $500,000 the Fijian Crested Iguana annually to conservation partnerships and field grants. Taronga also leads several threatened Photo: Lorinda Taylor species recovery projects, conservation science projects and community campaigns. Our overall Zambia Madagascar conservation commitment through employee Supporting critical ground time, facilities and project support totals over based and aerial anti- Partnership to support Komodo, Indonesia poaching patrols in South the recovery of 10,000 Supporting community $5.6 million directly invested in field conservation Luangwa National Park confiscated Radiated Tortoises initiatives to preserve each year. Restoring habitat for the Photo: Michelle Campbell habitat for the critically endangered Greater Komodo Dragon This work is vital to identify and reduce key Bamboo Lemur with The threats to threatened and priority species, protect Karianga Project Photo: Gary Ramage important habitat for wildlife, and support healthy communities. From Papua New Guinea to Vietnam, Kenya and from Zambia to Indonesia, Taronga works with Partnering with Northern Rangelands global conservation experts in the field to secure Trust to protect African a shared future for wildlife and people. Lion, zebra, Giraffe and African Elephant

Photo: Kira Mileham

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Visitation Snapsh�t Total visitation (million people) Guest Ticketing Mix

2012/13 1.706 55% General Admission

2013/14 1.687 2% Overnight Stays*

2014/15 1.716 17% Zoo Friends

2015/16 1.839 5% Paid Education**

2016/17 1.931 11% Free of Charge (excl Zoo friends) 2017/18 2.095 10% Other***

*Roar and Snore, Zoofari, Billabong Camp 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 ** Includes 'paid' and 'other' education ***Twilight, Vivid, Wild Ropes, Functions

Origin of Guests – Taronga Zoo, Sydney Origin of Guests – Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

38% NSW - Sydney 23% NSW - Sydney

6% NSW - Other 47% NSW - Other

42% International 1% International

14% Interstate 29% Interstate

Guest Attendance KPIs

2016/17 2017/18 Variance # Variance %

Paid attendance (1) 1,495,638 1,656,910 161,272 10.8% y Rick Stevens TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 32°16’55.2”S 148°34’38.9”E Consolidated result Paid and FOC* attendance (2) (3) 1,931,258 2,094,560 163,302 8.5%

Paid attendance (1) 1,267,546 1,425,123 157,577 12.4% Taronga Zoo Paid and FOC* attendance (2) 1,667,891 1,830,795 162,904 9.8%

Paid attendance (1) 228,092 231,787 3,695 1.6% Taronga Western Plains Zoo Paid and FOC* attendance (3) 263,367 263,765 398 0.2%

* FOC - Free of charge 1. Includes Zoo Friends, paid education and overnight stays. 2. Includes function guests and Twilight Concert and Vivid attendees at Taronga Zoo. 3. Includes function guests at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. VOLUNTEER LION AT PRIDEB LANDS

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Expenditure on capital development and maintenance ($m)

2011/12 8.92

2012/13 12.52 financial 2013/14 16.76

2014/15 14.75

2015/16 20.63

Snapsh�t 2016/17 45.17

2017/18 60.67

0 20 40 60 80

Total income ($m) Total Assets ($m)

2012/13 86.45 2012/13 432.23

2013/14 89.90 2013/14 485.50

2014/15 98.67 2014/15 489.50

2015/16 106.33 2015/16 498.93

2016/17 129.16 2016/17 552.71

2017/18 136.30 2017/18 580.75

0 50m 100m 150m 200m 400m 450m 500m 550m 600m

Allocation of recurrent resources to expense types Allocation of employees by Taronga division

Taronga Western 27.09% Employee expenses Plains Zoo* 42% including superannuation 14.63% Marketing Commercial & Fundraising 20% Depreciation write down of assets 4.49% People, Culture and Learning 4% Marketing expenses Wildlife Conservation 26.32% 6% Maintenance and Science

1% Property Infrastructure Finance costs 14.19% and Operations 27% All other expenses Corporate Services 5.13% and Governance Guest Experience 8.15% Education and * Includes WPZ Wildlife Conservation & Science Community Programs

Total cost of Social Policy Program activities Sources of income for Taronga Programs y David Krishner KAMBAS WAY NATIONAL PARK, SUMATRA, 105°46’36.1”E INDONESIA 4°55’43.1”S

29% Conservation and preservation of 34% Admissions income threatened and endangered species 10% Trading sales and franchise revenue

26% Conservation and preservation of 11% NSW Government biodiversity recurrent grant NSW Government Public education and 16% 23% capital allocation awareness programs SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS B

29% Other 22% Collaborative species (including sponsorship conservation and and foundation) management 20 21 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW C�nservation

ActivelyScience participate in wildlife conservation initiatives that ensure the long-term security of wildlife in suitable ecosystems and habitats. hris Wheeler TARONGAhris ZOO, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°50’38.3”S 151°14’21.1”E y C SOUTHERN CORROBOREE FROG B FROG SOUTHERN CORROBOREE

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Taronga’s leading amphibian reintroduction projects

March 2018 release May 2018 release 200 114 500 Yellow-spotted Northern Southern Corroboree Bell Frogs Corroboree Frogs Frog eggs Status: critically Status: critically Status: critically endangered endangered endangered

Key achievements

Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking Reintroducing Endangered Frogs other cell types from eight species of hard Taronga continues to play a key role in In late 2017, Taronga achieved the first corals on Heron Island, bringing new genetic the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, successful reintroduction of the Yellow- diversity to Taronga’s Cryodiversity Bank which threatens conservation, welfare and spotted Bell Frog, once thought to have – which now houses 16 coral species and biosecurity. Taronga has established a been extinct. In March 2018, the first 200 represents the largest coral bank in the world. multinational research group and developed frogs were released into a new site, with Marine Turtle Conservation forensic methods to detect illegal trafficking 500 more to follow in spring. Taronga also Taronga continues its commitment to the in species including the Short-beaked released 114 juvenile Northern Corroboree marine turtle rehabilitation tracking project. Echidna and pangolin. The diet-induced Frogs in the Brindabella Mountains, following This year, the team identified a specific differences between zoo-based and wild a successful monitoring season in which research question, appropriate technology echidnas were investigated for use by juvenile frogs released in 2014 were found and specified a target species for the project. regulatory officials to combat wildlife traders’ to be establishing nests and laying eggs. In A commitment of $50,000 was secured claims that animals are captive-bred. The May, Taronga continued its participation in through a partnership with SUEZ to improve same techniques will be used on pangolin the reintroduction program for the Southern holding facilities and fund satellite trackers. quills to determine trade routes for the Corroboree Frog, releasing 505 eggs at The award of the 2017 Taronga Green Grants world’s most heavily trafficked mammal. several sites in Kosciuszko National Park. to marine plastics-based initiatives and the Taronga Western Plains Sanctuary Marine Ecosystems and Climate Change Litter Free Oceans campaign further bolstered Taronga has achieved a major milestone in Taronga is investigating the impact of efforts towards protecting marine turtles. its efforts to save threatened species in NSW climate on marine ecosystems, focussing Marsupial Translocation and support both the National Bilby Recovery on the area around Montague Island off Taronga’s Australian Registry of Wildlife Program and the Office of Environment Australia’s southeast coast, where the ocean Health has partnered with Parks Australia and Heritage’s ‘Re-wilding NSW’ project. is warming two- to three-times faster than for the past four years to re-introduce small In February 2018, the National Parks and the global average due to an intensification terrestrial mammals to Booderee National Wildlife Service granted Taronga the licence of the East Australian Current. By deploying Park, which has been devoid of small to operate its Western Plains Sanctuary as innovative techniques developed in part terrestrial marsupials for more than 100 a free-range fauna park. Addressing the through work with the Little Penguins years. The Eastern Shield program brings scientific, practical and ethical considerations at Taronga, this work has demonstrated together land managers to implement fox of such a pioneering project was a rigorous the link between food availability and and cat control in coastal NSW and Victoria, undertaking. Taronga has already completed ocean processes. Tangible evidence like providing an opportunity for pilot re- construction of a predator-proof fence and this helps policy makers better manage introduction research. This work began with initial pest control to support the release of key marine ecosystems. the translocation of the Long-nosed Potoroo, bilbies into the Sanctuary. Coral Cryobanking then the Southern Brown Bandicoot and Asian Elephant Conservation Taronga is collaborating with partner finally, in March 2018, the Eastern Quoll from Taronga Western Plains Zoo welcomed a organisations to establish Great Barrier Reef Tasmania, which had been extinct on the female elephant calf in June, the second to coral ‘cryopreservation’. In November 2017, mainland since the 1960s. be born there and the sixth born across both biologists collected and banked sperm and Zoos since the breeding program began 12 years ago. This successful program is just one aspect of Taronga’s work in elephant conservation, which includes working with Performance Indicators Target Definition 2017/18 governments and conservation agencies

in Asia to turn around the decline of Asian y Amy Russell SYDNEY HEADS IN SYDNEY HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA 33°49’55.0”S 151°17’46.4”E Elephants. Taronga also funds wildlife Wildlife Conservation Percentage is assessed protection units and ranger stations in Wildlife in Taronga’s care 100% via the Animal Population 90% Thailand and Sumatra to help suppress has an identified and Assessment tool elephant poaching, and the Taronga Western communicated role in conservation Plains Zoo Wildlife division initiated the ZAA Australasian Elephant Workshop 2018. MARINE TURTLE B TURTLE MARINE

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Be�ur a leader in theCare care and presentation of wildlife, providing positive welfare, dignity and respect for all. Mark O’Riordan TARONGA WESTERN O’Riordan y Mark PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 32°16’55.2”S 148°34’38.9”E PLAINS-WANDERER B

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Key achievements

Protecting Plains-wanderers Taronga Western Plains Zoo, ensuring they are wanderers, Leadbeater’s Possums, Mountain Taronga is establishing a zoo-based breeding raised with appropriate social and potential Pygmy-possums and Helmeted Honeyeaters. population of the native Plains-wanderer as breeding skills. Looking After Little Penguins part of the NSW Government’s Saving Our Taronga Wildlife Hospital treats and Species program. In April 2018 purpose-built Lion Pride Lands Success Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s Lion Pride rehabilitates over 30 Little Penguins annually. facilities were completed at Taronga Western Lands opened in March 2018. The pride The majority of these originate from the Plains Zoo, and in May the first three pairs of of eight Lions enjoyed a smooth move to Manly Little Penguin colony, which is listed as Plains-wanderers arrived. The birds are being their new home thanks to the preparation an endangered population. Taronga works monitored to identify baseline behaviour and dedication of the Keeping Team. in close collaboration with the Office of indicators, to assess and analyse possible The Lions are enjoying the new areas to Environment and Heritage to protect these changes over time from wild-caught birds explore and taking the patrol truck in their penguins, which have become a Sydney icon and zoo-bred birds. The information will stride. The future for Lion Pride Lands includes and are the last remaining mainland colony. help ensure zoo-based insurance population the recent arrival of new Lions – two females Employees at the hospital have continued individuals maintain natural behaviours and and one male Lion – who will become the involvement with the citizen science- are suitable for future release. new breeding pride for Taronga Western based Project Penguin, threatened species Improved Echidna Diet Plains Zoo. fundraising events and beach clean ups in Taronga’s Nutritionist, with manufacturing collaboration with the National Parks and partner Vetafarm, has designed an improved Zoo Baby Boom Wildlife Service. Significant animal births at both Taronga and diet for zoo-based echidnas, eliminating Taronga Western Plains Zoos this year have the pervasive problem of nutrition-related Animal Births included six Cheetah cubs, two Takhi foals, two stomach lining inflammation and improving Giraffe calves, a female Asian Elephant calf, reproductive success. Further investigations a Black Rhinoceros calf, a baby Western uncovered that previous assumptions Lowland Gorilla, a Chimpanzee baby, an about the digestive capabilities and Cheetah cubs Australian Sea-lion pup, and a Goodfellow’s nutritional requirements of the echidna Tree Kangaroo joey. were wrong. Working with partners from the 6 University of Adelaide, University of NSW, Wild Dogs Transferred to NZ Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Eight African Wild Dogs were transferred from

Organisation, Smithsonian Institution, Perth Taronga Western Plains Zoo to Orana Park TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°50’34.8”S 151°14’37.3”E Zoo, Zoos Victoria and Save Vietnam’s New Zealand. This was a complex exercise Wildlife, Taronga is now investigating other in zoo vet medicine and animal husbandry, Takhi foals insectivores, including the pangolin and managing a large cohort of socially 2 Numbat, to improve our understanding complex and sensitive animals through a of their diet and its effect on health rigorous pre-export isolation process, which and reproduction. involved numerous anaesthetic events for veterinary examination and sampling to fulfil Moving Asian Elephant ‘Gung’ biosecurity requirements for import into New Western Lowland In January 2018, Asian Elephant ‘Gung’ was Zealand. The group arrived safely. Gorilla transported from Taronga Zoo to Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Training and conditioning Nutrition Consulting Services 1 Asian Elephant

sessions in the months leading up to the Taronga’s nutrition consulting services Geographic Australian / Morgan ames Black Rhinoceros move ensured he was calm throughout the supported the care of wildlife in zoos across y J journey. Aided by familiar Keepers, his arrival Australia, including Perth Zoo, Symbio Wildlife Chimpanzee was smooth and efficient. The move allowed Park and Zoos Victoria. Consulting services ‘Gung’ to reconnect with his first calf ‘Luk included reviews of a range of in-situ and ex- Australian Sea-lion Chai’, along with cows ‘Porntip’ and ‘Thong situ programs, including critically endangered Goodfellow’s Tree Dee’ with whom he spent many years at species such as Numbats, Western Swamp Kangaroo Taronga. ‘Gung’ now plays an important Tortoises, Geocrinia Frogs, Western Ground role as mentor to the three young bulls at Parrots, Orange-bellied Parrots, Plains-

Performance Indicators Target Definition 2017/18

Wildlife at our Zoos are independently Assessment is conducted of the wildlife on site. ZAA accreditation 100% 100% assessed as being in a positive welfare state will be used until the Taronga tool is created and implemented

Number of avoidable 5 Incident is assessed as avoidable by the Taronga Animal Welfare Committee 6 animal welfare incidents

Animal welfare incidents are Actions are implemented within 24 hours to begin to address 100% 100% remediated within 24 hours a welfare incident or negative welfare assessment is addressed

Number of wildlife rehabilitation cases 1500 Number of cases treated at TZ and TWPZ 1186 TARONGA NUTRITIONIST MICHELLE SHAW WITH ECHIDNA B

28 29 Increase participation and inspire Increase participationandinspire 30 Educati�n Conservation Excellence  TARONGA and authenticeducation programs. action for thewildthrough innovative

2017 2017 – REVIEW 2018 ANNUAL 31 FIORDLAND PENGUIN By Chris Wheeler FIORDLAND, NEW ZEALAND 45°37’22.9”S 167°20’03.2”E TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

Excellence in Conservation Education

Project Penguin Project Feathertail 1,000 6 4 Glider 127 58 Northern Beaches Primary High Primary school High schools students schools schools students students

Key achievements

STEM Study at Taronga and high school students across 18 schools TTI also delivered Tourism Units of Taronga’s education team has developed engaging their local community to help Competency to over 400 volunteers at a suite of best-practice programs for the save locally threatened species. The highly Taronga and Taronga Western Plains new Taronga Institute of Science and successful program applied best-practice Zoos, Sydney Living Museums, the Anzac Learning. The Taronga Education Taskforce STEM teaching methods to enable students Memorial, the Art Gallery of NSW, the met regularly to develop opportunities to create STEM-based solutions to increase Museums Discovery Centre and Transport for collaborative program delivery across species’ population numbers. Since its Heritage. About 1,300 students participated all education portfolios. STEM (Science, inception, the program has positively in workshops at Taronga in 2017-18, while Technology Engineering and Maths) based impacted 14 threatened species and over many university students completed work programs were developed with the goal of 12,000 students and teachers. placements and a cohort of postgraduate increasing participation in STEM subjects and students were co-supervised by Taronga careers. Detailed operational planning was Zoomobile Connecting Communities employees to undertake on-site Honours, In 2018, Taronga’s Community Zoomobile undertaken in preparation for the opening Masters and PhD research projects. provided 34,745 preschool students, charity of the Institute in July 2018. The Institute and community groups and aged facilities includes a number of science laboratories Helping At-Risk Young People with a unique opportunity to connect to Taronga’s partnership program with Family including Taronga’s first Teaching Lab, culture, wildlife and conservation. Delivered and Community Services (FACS) continues and world-first immersive classrooms that with Brewarrina elder, Colin Hardy OAM, to deliver for the state’s most trauma- incorporate multi-species animal exhibits. ‘Animals of the Dreaming’ was once again a effected and at-risk young people. This year Vivid Sydney highlight of this outreach program, bringing the Burbangana Program at Taronga Zoo Vivid 2018 shone a light on young people together music, song and storytelling to had 24 graduates, its largest participation and recognised them as key stakeholders in connect students and community to culture rate since it began over 10 years ago. The ensuring the future of wildlife. Students from in a rich and meaningful way. Walanmarra Program at Taronga Western across the state were invited to contribute Plains Zoo has also grown through the to the event by drawing Taronga’s Legacy Tertiary Studies at Taronga successful recruitment of the Walanmarra Over 200 students completed their Certificate Species and pledging their hopes for the Support Officer role. One of the highlights for TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°50’33.0”S 151°14’34.3”E II Animal Studies, Certificate III Captive earth and wildlife. Student work was used in participants this year was being invited to the Animals and Certificate II and III Tourism the skinning of lanterns and in interpretation official opening of Lion Pride Lands in Dubbo. with the Taronga Training Institute (TTI). around the site, including a soundscape. Taronga Teachers Association Grows Membership of the Taronga Teachers Performance Indicators Association (TTA) has grown 10% since December 2017 thanks to a strong marketing campaign and a newly developed program Total visitation 2016/17 2017/18 of special events for members, including education preview days, behind-the-scenes Students visiting on a school excursion tours, video conferences, new resources and Taronga Zoo 96,627 97,174 professional development courses. TTA is a membership group for teachers who want to Taronga Western Plains Zoo 8,926 8,045 become leaders in environmental education.

Project Insitu People participating in Public Outreach In its 13th year, Taronga’s project-based education programs learning conservation education program, Taronga Zoo & Taronga Western Plains Zoo 51,621 48,041 Project Insitu, involved over 1500 primary STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN PROJECT PENGUIN Wheeler Chris by

32 33 Zoos andinspireactionthrough experiences Attract anincreasing numberofgueststoour that increaseknowledge andchangepeople’s 34 Guest Experiences Transformati�nal TARONGA attitudes andbehaviours. 2017 2017 – REVIEW 2018 ANNUAL 35 35 TIGER TREK By Rick Stevens TARONGA ZOO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°50’37.1”S 151°14’23.2”E TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

Key achievements

Events Bring New Audiences guests to actively encourage companies a focus on guest wayfinding, day planning Almost 150,000 guests attended events to make more sustainable choices through and creating positive connections. The app at Taronga in 2017/18, with Vivid Sydney, the Raise Your Palm community campaign. helps increase dwell-time and engagement the 23rd Twilight concert series, Eid at the Through Taronga’s Tiger Trek exhibit, over across precincts, drives guests to participate Zoo and New Years’ Eve all attracting new 60,000 emails have been sent to Australian in conservation campaigns and helps grow audiences. Vivid showcased the work of manufacturers and retailers encouraging Taronga’s community of 1 Million Advocates. NSW school children and their hopes and their transition to 100% Certified Sustainable Some of the key features include: Choose aspirations for wildlife, while Twilight at Palm Oil (CSPO). your Adventure with half-day, one-day Taronga once again amplified awareness and two-day itineraries; Act for the Wild, around wildlife trafficking and Taronga’s Authentic Animal and which invites guests to take positive action;

Wildlife Witness app. Cultural Connections plus, new content highlighting Taronga’s Two exciting new precincts at Taronga conservation partnerships, research and Wild Ropes a Wild Success Western Plains Zoo, Lion Pride Lands and programs. Several updates were also made In its fourth year of operations, Wild Ropes Wild Herds, incorporate walk-through to the Taronga Zoo app including enhancing at Taronga Zoo recorded its highest ever enclosures, immersive cultural theming and functionality to aid guest wayfinding and participation rates, up over 50% on the prior rich storytelling across physical, graphic, text creating a Mandarin language option. year. The addition of a children’s course was and audio media to create powerful guest a particular success, with the experience now experiences. In Wild Herds, ‘gers’ (dwelling Our Volunteers catering to the entire family, encouraging active tents) create the authentic sense of a Taronga’s volunteers had a successful year, participation in the outdoor environment. Mongolian Village, providing context for the with a record 49 positions operating across guests to engage with the Takhi herd and all nine divisions. Their contributions – about Tiger Trek Promotes Sustainable Palm Oil their powerful conservation story. Lion Pride 128,960 hours in total – were acknowledged Tiger Trek is a highly immersive experience Lands offers unique, up-close opportunities by Volunteering Australia, with Taronga that transports guests to Indonesia by to connect with lions, African culture and a boasting 16 finalists in the NSW Volunteer plane, where they walk through a replica representative African village. of the Year Awards. Taronga also increased Sumatran village and enter the jungle of support of new volunteers by ensuring 100% Way Kambas National Park for intimate Zoo App-reciation are completing a comprehensive eLearning encounters with Sumatran Tigers. At the The Taronga Western Plains Zoo app was onboarding program. end, a digital supermarket experience allows developed to be launched in 2019, with

Taronga’s volunteers 49 16 2,060 Positions operating across Finalists in the 2017 Expressions all 9 Divisions - more NSW Volunteer of of interest positions than ever before the Year Awards

Performance indicators

Satisfied guests as measured through satisfaction surveys 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Taronga Zoo 92% 92% 91% 91% y Marcus Coblyn TARONGA ZOO, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 151°14’35.8”E 33°50’35.1”S

Taronga Western Plains Zoo 79% 79% 82% 80%

Complaints per 1,000 guests (1) 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Taronga Zoo 0.19 0.14 0.14 0.23

WILD ROPES KIDS COURSE B Taronga Western Plains Zoo 0.49 0.62 0.62 0.38

36 37 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW Engage and

Engage,Influence grow and mobilise our members, supporters and networks to achieve positive outcomes for wildlife. y Amy Russell SYDNEY, ATHOL BAY, AUSTRALIA 151°14’30.4”E 33°50’44.1”S BEACH CLEANUP B BEACH

38 39 40 partnership ofTaronga’s Asian Elephant presentation. ANZrenewed afour-year additional fundraising duringtheBirdshow Taronga’s Free Flight Birdshowby supporting helped celebrate the20thanniversary of Taronga Foundation. Principal Partner QBE continued toprovidesupportviathe Taronga’s corporate partnershipsprograms Corporate Partnerships attendance figures. welcome contributiontoTaronga’s record visits throughouttheyear have made a activities atTaronga andtheirfrequent Zoo Friends areuptodate withthelatest events, rewardsandcommunications ensure support inbothSydney and Dubbo.Member year, reflectingthestrongcommunity Friends membersby 55%ontheprevious Taronga hasincreasedthenumberofZoo Zoo Friends Key achievements TARONGA Australian species–thepangolinfeature on illegal wildlife tracking sawthefirst ever non- Taronga’s ground-breakingscientificworkon In Australian Geographic, afeature on Financial Review andAustralian Geographic. in publications asdiverse astheAustralian across theyear, withbroad-based coverage conservation went from strengthto use ofthemediatotell thestoryof Taronga’s engagementwithandstrategic Hot OffthePress of five rehabilitated turtles. to aidinthetracking andrelease turtle tracking devices for Taronga’s Hospital additional supportfrom SUEZtoprovide strengthened existingpartnershipsincluding The corporate partnershipsprograms also partner supportingVividSydney atTaronga. American Expresswas engagedasanew Breeding andConservation Program, while communication plan.Launched inearly resources andastrategic social media include curriculum-related education to reusableitems. Othertoolkitelements providing information toencourage switching calculate theiruseofdisposable plastic,while after ingestinglitter, andallowsusersto turtle successfully rehabilitated andreleased The website features thestoryofAndrew,a schools can register tomake adifference. individuals, communities,businessesand experience thatincludesawebsite where its impactonmarinelife throughadigital This newcampaign targets ocean litter and Litter Free OceansCampaign garnered international participation. and Taronga’s secondannual#vdaypunoff of theopeningTaronga Zoo’s Tiger Trek, Sydney Metrofeatured front pagecoverage the cover inthehistoryofthatpublication.

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC SPREADS esteemed HallofFame for thiscategory. NSW Tourism Awards, earningaplaceinthe Accommodation’ category atthisyear’s Plains Zoo wasawardedGoldinthe‘Unique For thefourth year running,Taronga Western Tourism HallofFame the environment. reflects a key NSWGovernment priority for already signedup.Theanti-litter messaging June, 1,000individualsand400schoolshave Taronga Digital Snapshot TZ Facebook TWPZ Facebook Twitter TZ Instagram YouTube ue21 o rwhJn 08YoY Growth June2018 YoY Growth June 2017 0,8 25% 201,289 1,0 16% 118,000 37424% 63,734 91013% 19,100 ,5 17% 4,159 the event atTaronga Zoo. Zoo. Morethan320supporters attended of thenewSavannah precinctatTaronga conservation programs andthedevelopment ball, whichraised money for Taronga’s Taronga Foundation’s 2017fundraising Pride ofthePlainswasthemefor the 2017 Fundraising Ball 2,8 14% 229,383 2,4 6% 125,249 46217% 74,642 0135% 20,123 ,0 40% 5,808 Litter Free Oceans for thewild campaign actions community Number of Conservation Community Performance Indicators 2017 2017 – 1,000 REVIEW 2018 ANNUAL 400 Involved individuals Involved schools 061 2017/18 2016/17 3,8 81,408 31,884 41 AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHIC SPREADS TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW Pe�ple AND Organisational

SupportStrength and enable our people to achieve Taronga’s vision and strategic objectives. MARDI GRASS PARADE Guy By Dixon SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 33°52’26.8”S 151°12’45.0”E

42 43 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

Key achievements

Winning at Work Safety people disclosing mental illness during the over the coming year. Another infrastructure Safe Work Australia announced Taronga as employment process. Taronga sees this as uplift project included implementing a new the joint-runner up for the 2017 Workplace an opportunity to better support employees telephone network and system, contact Reward. During the National Safe Work and provide managers with the tools to centre, security systems and an upgraded Month in October 2017, Taronga ran a implement adjustments where necessary. Wi-Fi solution. Industry-leading vendors safety initiative focused on sharing safety Taronga has adopted the blended learning were used to ensure ongoing stability knowledge and engaging and encouraging option provided by Mental Health First Aid and availability of networks and workers to have their say. Activities included Australia to deliver training to 45 employees associated systems. Safety Bingo at a employees lunch; ‘Have across both Zoos. Select employees were Social Media at Work your say’ posters created by employees; identified to champion mental health first In March 2018, Taronga implemented ‘Safety in Action’ posters competition; a aid and are now trained in crisis response. the new communication and engagement review of safety induction eLearning modules This training complements existing resilience platform ‘Workplace by Facebook’, which has for continuous improvement and a WHS training and mental health skills training for become a space where divisions can share Committee meeting focused on innovation managers and supervisors. news, be informed and easily communicate and leadership. Project Evolve with each other. Staff have quickly and Developing New People and Leaders Taronga is committed to building and enthusiastically embraced the platform, This year the Organisational Development supporting capable, motivated, engaged streaming Taronga events, presentations and Learning team provided a holistic and high performing teams. To support this and activations to connect with employees eLearning onboarding program to 152 new goal, the Wildlife division launched Project and volunteers. Taronga employees and 128 volunteers. Evolve in January 2018, which is focused Risk Management Review The program focuses on safety, sustainability on continuously improving engagement, This governance project involved the and animal welfare. Launched in July, efficiency and culture as well as empowering organisation-wide review of strategic and Leading for the Wild (#LFW) is a leadership teams to identify inefficiencies in their major operational risks, including identification and management development program current work practices and prioritise solutions. of existing and potential controls to reduce for current and aspiring leaders which has the likelihood or impact of risks, and updating already seen over 40 participants across Digital Strategy Action Plan A priority this year was to strengthen the online risk register. The Taronga Risk Sydney and Dubbo seeking to grow their underlying IT infrastructure and maximise Management Policy and Procedures were also leadership skills through a range of flexible efficiency as part of Taronga’s Digital revised as part of the project. learning programs. Strategy Action Plan. A key update included Supporting Mental Health a new email service that provides a highly Mental health is a growing concern in available, standards-compliant, user-friendly our society, with an increasing number of solution for accessing email, to be expanded

Performance indicators 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

Severity Rate TARONGA ZOO, SYDNEY, Mills AUSTRALIA Greg 33°50’32.5”S 151°14’35.9”E y y Lost time injury frequency / workplace accidents for both Zoos 7.04 5.99 3.88 4

Staff Turnover 7.99% 10.70% 9.03% 13.19% Taronga Zoo 3.49% 10.90% 3.26% 9.28% Taronga Western Plains Zoo

People and Organisational Strength

Collaborative eLearning Leading for the Wild 152 128 40 New Taronga Taronga Launched employees volunteers in July 2017 Completed online Completed online 40 employees eLearning eLearning on board CELEBRATING BASIC VALUES AND THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY VOTE B

44 45 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW Financial  Envir�nmental

ContinuousSustainability improvement and integration of financial and environmental sustainability. By Chris By Wheeler HONEYEATER REGENT CHILTERN-MT NATIONAL PILOT PARK, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA 146°40’14.6”E 36°15’06.5”S

46 47 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

Key achievements

Record Attendance per year. Plans are in place to implement mid- to large-scale solar PV installations at Taronga once again saw record attendances e-water at Taronga Western Plains Zoo along Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos. Performance Indicators 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 at both Zoos this year with almost 2.1 million with a larger reticulated system at Taronga This investment is in the range of $750,000 visitors in total. This record growth was Zoo, which is capable of producing enough and will drastically reduce the amount of Direct Government support per visitor (including contribution for capital development) (1) achieved across all aspects of the visitation mix, e-water for the entire site and removing the grid-based electricity generated emissions from events through to accommodation and need for any conventional chemicals to be and contribute to onsite renewable energy Taronga Zoo $8.92 $10.31 $14.62 $17.18 general admissions, and across both domestic used. It’s also estimated that the installation generation. It will also mitigate financial risk Taronga Western Plains Zoo $9.43 $18.59 $33.40 $34.73 and international markets, demonstrating of the milk juggler system, which stores milk by reducing price volatility associated with Taronga’s relevancy and engagement across in bulk bladders, will avoid about 16,000 milk the electricity market. Once Stage 1 has been Operating expenses per visitor all sectors of the community. bottles per annum. fully implemented by the end of next financial (Excluding Taronga Foundation) year, it is expected Taronga’s renewable Taronga Zoo $47.35 $53.66 $55.72 $53.94 Strong International Support Fundraising Success energy generation will more than triple. Taronga Western Plains Zoo $70.27 $72.71 $83.93 $91.10 Taronga Sydney continued to enjoy the The Taronga Foundation once again enjoyed support of overseas guests across the year, the support of donors from across Australia, Waste Management Wins Capital expenditure per visitor with international visitors comprising 42% achieving a net income of just over Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s formal waste Taronga Zoo $4.60 $9.56 $22.36 $28.73 of total. This was assisted by growth in $9 million. Individual philanthropy saw a contract with Cleanaway came into effect Taronga Western Plains Zoo $18.92 $12.50 $31.48 $32.08 guest numbers from China after the most number of generous gifts made to Taronga, in August 2017 and has included new waste successful Chinese New Year celebrations particularly in support of the Taronga streams; new back-of-house bins; new $12.85m $12.96m $21.07m $17.74m and promotions at Taronga to date. Institute of Science & Learning. Events, the waste signage across the site; new office Taronga Foundation fundraising revenue support of Taronga’s Wildlife Defenders and recycling stations; and an increased focus Regional Success the generous support of Taronga’s Friends of on education through a biannual workshop 1. Calculation excludes Twilight and Vivid attendees at Taronga Zoo and function guests at both Zoos. Taronga Western Plains Zoo enjoyed a strong the Future also played a major role. and information session. Through these year with general admissions and overall initiatives – and the Green Team’s ongoing visitation achieving growth on the prior year, Savings Emissions and Habitats contribution – Taronga Western Plains Zoo with visitation from across regional NSW To reduce emissions year-on-year, a multi- has increased its waste diversion from 20% particularly positive. This demonstrates the stage project plan has been developed in 2016/17 to 40% this financial year. For the appeal of new experiences on the Zoo circuit, looking at viable energy efficiency and first time, data was also captured on animal such as Lion Pride Lands and new interactive renewable energy opportunities at Taronga waste and kitchen food waste generation, experiences such as the Lion Pride Lands Tour and Taronga Western Plains Zoos. Taronga which will help when undertaking a feasibility and the Savannah Truck Tour. has committed to offsetting all emissions study of implementing an on-site or off-site resulting from 2017/18. Taronga’s Dedicated to Sustainability composting system to improve current waste conservation and sustainability teams are management practices. Sustainability played a major role in how liaising closely with Greenfleet to develop Taronga selected many partners across an emission offset partnership to allow Container Deposit Scheme the year. In particular, the five-year catering organisations, including Taronga, to offset Taronga Zoo became one of the first contract awarded to Epicure saw the creation their emissions towards local carbon collection points for the NSW Government’s of a dedicated sustainability fund, a joint sequestering projects which provide broader Return and Earn container deposit scheme, focus on reducing the environmental impact ecosystem benefits and habitat to several of NSW’s largest litter-mitigation program. To of Taronga’s onsite catering and, in just the Taronga’s Legacy Species. Taronga is striving support the program, Taronga implemented first 12 months, the removal of more than to become NCOS carbon neutral-certified one large reverse-vending machine kiosk 1 million items of single use plastic from by early 2019. opposite the Zoo’s main entrance for the Taronga’s food outlets. Other initiatives local community to use and redeem their have included the installation of e-water Clean Electricity Generation container deposit. Taronga also implemented (electrolysed salt water) systems in all the Stage 1 of a multi-stage project plan to four smaller reverse-vending machines inside main catering areas to produce 100% reduce Taronga’s grid-based, carbon- the Zoo. Since the program’s implementation natural, safe and biodegradable cleaners intensive electricity consumption was in December 2017, 500,000 containers have and sanitisers, mitigating the use of an approved in February 2018. This involves been diverted from landfill. estimated 12,000L of conventional chemicals the implementation of several separate

Sustainable relationships 1M 12K 16K single-use plastic litres of chemicals milk bottles per items removed per year avoided annum eliminated RECORD ATTENDANCE THE AT QBE FREE-FLIGHT BIRD SHOW Chris by Wheeler Taronga Zoo Sydney, Australia 33°50’38.0”S 151°14’21.6”E

48 49 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW Centenary

DeliverCapital the Centenary Capital Plan Plan on time and on budget to secure Taronga’s position as a leading conservation and nature tourism organisation. y Rick Stevens TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 32°16’55.2”S 148°34’38.9”E LION PRIDE LANDS B

50 51 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

Key achievements

Five Star Green-star building Woodhen and LHI Pied Currawong, both of The Taronga Wildlife Retreat incorporates The construction of the Taronga Institute which have been identified as vulnerable to 62 guest rooms providing an engaging, of Science and Learning further the baiting process. overnight wildlife experience. The Retreat will demonstrated Taronga’s commitment wrap around a native wildlife sanctuary and to sustainability. The Institute has been Savannah Project Gets Underway nestle into the new Australia Habitat, home A development application has been designed as a Five Star Green-star building to iconic species such as Koalas, kangaroos approved for the Taronga Zoo Savannah representing ‘Australian Excellence’ in and other native animals. project, with detailed design and tender sustainable building design – and is fast documents finalised and the construction African Savannah and Congo approaching six Star with the addition of tender phase having commenced. The The design of the African Savannah was rooftop solar panels this year. African Savannah will be a multi-species completed in early 2018 and procurement of The design team has worked hard to reflect habitat that includes a lion-breeding facility, a main construction contractor is underway. the inherent personality of Taronga in the expanded savannah for giraffes, zebras and Once complete, the African Savannah project building form, projected through the Fennec Foxes, as well as a specialised Meerkat will deliver revitalised exhibit spaces in the physical connection between internal encounter space. heart of the Zoo. The main construction works and external spaces and design elements, are scheduled to commence in late 2018. including the nature-inspired facade screen Centenary Capital Projects A second phase of this project is scheduled Construction of Centenary Capital Projects and colour palette. to commence in 2021 and will involve the at Taronga Western Plains Zoo continues as construction of a lush forest exhibit for our planned with both Wild Herds and Lion Pride Taronga Wildlife Retreat growing gorilla family. The Lower Australia and Wildlife Retreat Lands successfully completed and opened project commenced construction this financial this year. Work is also underway on a new Taronga Western Plains Zoo year, after an extensive design development hire facility for bikes and carts and planning Lion Pride Lands phase and procurement exercise. has commenced for a revitalised education Taronga’s exciting new Lion Pride Lands exhibit facility and wildlife hospital. was successfully opened in March 2018. The The revitalisation of the Australia Habitat precinct includes an immersive Maasai Village, will be delivered in two phases, with the first a 3.5ha African Lion exhibit, as well as an phase completed in 2019 and the second Capital Works and exciting ranger-led tour in a purpose-built safari in 2021. Immersed within the Australia Project Planning vehicle. As the largest project in the current Habitat, the Taronga Wildlife Retreat will master plan of works, this exhibit brings to life wrap around a wildlife sanctuary housing Taronga Zoo an African safari adventure experience. animals such as wallabies, echidnas, Tiger Trek bandicoots, Platypus, Koalas and freshwater The Tiger Trek precinct was successfully Wild Herds eels. Central to the Taronga Wildlife Retreat opened in August 2017. This exhibit provides Construction works were completed in concept is the opportunity for people to Taronga’s guests with an immersive and June 2018 for this exciting new project learn more about wildlife, and to inspire engaging experience that conveys the action showcasing the Przewalski’s Horse and conservation champions. its visitors can take to aid in conserving the Taronga’s conservation successes with this endangered Sumatran Tiger population. wild horse. Scheduled deer feeding within this Plains-wanderers Aviaries and Sanctuary The experience incorporates three walk-through exhibit will provide an up-close Construction of a 110ha predator-proof separate tiger exhibits, state-of-the-art and personal guest experience inspired by sanctuary was completed at Taronga accommodation and breeding dens, an Mongolian nomadic life. Western Plains Zoo this year, providing immersive Sumatran village and interactive the perfect location for seeding mammal The African Waterhole and Overlook Cafe guest facilities. re-wilding efforts in NSW and supporting A development application for the Overlook efforts such as the National Bilby Recovery Taronga Institute of Science & Learning Cafe design has been submitted and is under Plan. In addition, the Taronga Property Team Completed in June 2018, the Institute assessment by Dubbo Regional Council. managed the construction and completion provides Taronga with a world-class facility The development will offer an improved of a bank of 30 Plains-wanderer aviaries in to pursue its vision of creating a global guest experience, by creating a new cafe support of the recovery plan for this species. centre of excellence in conservation science environment including a Meerkat exhibit, and learning. Furthermore, the Institute will picnic facilities, children’s water play, Lord Howe Island significantly increase Taronga’s capacity to landscaping, car parking and restrooms. Taronga completed the construction of 70 undertake leading research, as well as inspire Construction is scheduled to commence pens and 10 aviaries on Lord Howe Island individuals and communities to achieve in early 2019. (LHI) as part of a captive management positive conservation and wildlife outcomes. project to preserve two of the island’s Hire Facility Upgrade endangered bird species. This construction Taronga Wildlife Retreat & Australia Habitat The redevelopment of the bikes and electric forms part of the Lord Howe Rodent Construction of the Taronga Wildlife Retreat carts hire facility commenced mid-2018. Eradication Project, which is aiming to and Australia Habitat project commenced This project will provide an improved entry eradicate black rats and house mice. Taronga in late 2017. This project will revitalise the experience for Taronga’s guests in addition will be responsible for the husbandry and existing Australia Habitat precinct and to creating a suitable storage and care of two endangered bird species, the LHI give visitors a new immersive experience. maintenance facility for these assets. Taronga has built

ha ha

LAZURUS THE AFRICAN LION STALKING LION PRIDE LANDS Rick by Stevens TARONGA WESTERN PLAINS ZOO, DUBBO, AUSTRALIA 148°34’45.6”E 32°16’29.6”S 110 3.5 3 70 10 5 Predator-proof Lion Pride Lands Sumatran Tiger Pens on Aviaries on Star Green-star building Sanctuary precinct Exhibits Lord Howe Island Lord Howe Island Taronga Institute of Science & Learning

52 53 TARONGA 2017 – 2018 ANNUAL REVIEW

ANNUALiNTO REVIEW THE 2017 – 2018 WILD

Please support our work. You can visit us, become a member or make a donation. Taronga is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to wildlife conservation and community education. For more information go to taronga.org.au Written by: Taronga staff Edited by: Amy Russell Coordinated by: Stephanie Hedt Art directed by: Ginni Leonard SUN BEAR Bobby-Jo by ClowTARONGA ZOO SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 151°14’25.4”E 33°50’39.1”S

54 55 UMATRA, INDONESIA 4°55’34.5”S 105°46’34.1”E S

Chris Wheelery Chris SUMATRAN TIGER B

ANNUALiNTO REVIEW THE 2017 – 2018 WILD