A future the wilD Securing a shared future for wildlife and people ANNUAL REPORT 2014–2015 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2014–2015 A FUTURE FOR THE WILD 3 Overview Table of Contents Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Taronga) operates Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. Taronga is also a leader in the fields of conservation, research and Chairman’s Report ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................8 environmental education. Director and Chief Executive’s Report .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................10 Taronga is constituted under the Zoological Parks Board Act 1973 as a statutory authority owned Appointed Board ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................12 by the people of New South Wales (NSW) and administered by the Minister for the Environment and Heritage. Senior Management Team and Organisational Chart ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15 Amended legislation in 1992 defined Taronga’s responsibilities in education, conservation, Year Brief – Research and Conservation Science in Australia .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 research and recreation (see Appendix 1). A minor amendment to the Act was undertaken in 2008 to formally recognize Taronga Conservation Society Australia as the official name, to better Year Brief – Our Global Reach ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20 describe the work of the organisation. Year Brief – Visitation...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................22 Year Brief – Financials .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................24 Tangible Conservation Outcomes .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28 Animals in Our Care ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34 Visitor Experience & Learning ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................40 Contact Bradleys Head Road Financial Sustainability ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................46 Mosman NSW 2088 Our People & Organisational Effectiveness .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................54 PO Box 20 The Hon. Mark Speakman SC MP Mosman NSW 2088 Minister for the Environment and Heritage Glossary .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................62 Tel: 02 9969 2777 Parliament House Fax: 02 9969 7515 Index .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................63 6 Macquarie St Open 9.30–5.00pm (Sept–Apr) Open 9.30–4.30pm (May–Aug) SYDNEY NSW 2000 Statutory Financial Statements – Taronga ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64 taronga.org.au Appendices ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 116 Dear Minister It is with great pleasure that we present the 42nd Annual Report of the Taronga Conservation Society Australia, which includes the statement of accounts, for your presentation to the NSW Parliament. This report covers in full the Taronga Conservation Society Australia’s activities for the year ended 30 June 2015 in accordance with Section 20 and 37 of the Zoological Parks Board Act 1973 (NSW) (as amended) and the Annual Report Statutory Bodies Act 1984 (NSW) (as amended). Yours sincerely Contact Obley Rd Dubbo NSW 2830 PO Box 831 Dubbo NSW 2830 Tel: 02 6881 1400 Fax: 02 6884 1722 Open 9.00–4.00pm taronga.org.au Len Bleasel AM Cameron Kerr Chairman Director and Chief Executive 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2014–2015 A FUTURE FOR THE WILD 5 We believe that all of us have an obligation to protect the world’s precious wildlife, not just in A Shared our lifetimes, but for generations of the future. Our Zoos create experiences that delight and inspire lasting connections between people and wildlife. We aim to change lives and make conservation champions eager to engage with their communities to Future value the wildlife in their care, and around the world. Our enterprises range from operating a frozen gene bank for the Great Barrier Reef, to building homes for orphaned Chimpanzees in the Congo and transforming Australian school children into Wildlife conservation heroes. Our conservation breeding programs for threatened wildlife help a myriad of species , from tiny vibrant Corroboree Frogs to majestic Asian Elephants. and People We work in partnerships to support 35 research and conservation projects across Australia, and a further At Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains 35 programs around the globe. Our Zoos are not-for-profit organisations. We pay no Zoo, we believe that wildlife and people can dividends, and any surplus is put straight back into share this planet. support and care for wildlife. An injured wombat joey is hand-raised by keepers. PHOTO: JEFF DARMANIN, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2014–2015 A FUTURE FOR THE WILD 7 Our vision is to secure a shared future for wildlife and people. Our strategic plan defines our