It is estimated that we lost over 60,000 koalas in the devastating Australian 2019-2020 summer. Taronga is embarking on a world-first conservation program to help protect endangered Koalas. Our multi-faceted approach will see the creation of a world-first breed-for-release program for Koalas, whilst our scientists and conservationists conduct a new and comprehensive study of existing wild Koala populations to inform future conservation action.

Together, this work will help identify key areas where Koalas can be released to help bolster dwindling and at-risk populations to have a successful future in the wild. This is an ambitious and complex world-first project. Multi-year investment is needed to ensure that sustained results can be achieved for the greatest possible impact. Taronga has the skills, facilities, and expertise to help save the Koala from extinction.

It is our ongoing goal to see this iconic native animal return to its former range so that the population can continue to develop and grow.

Presented by: Rachael Schildkraut 

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

When Bellingen locals canoeing down the river noticed dying turtles in the Bellinger River, researchers were sent to investigate and Taronga launched into action. A mystery virus was killing so many of the Bellinger River Turtles so quickly that an urgent plan would be needed to save the species.

Taronga joined the effort to catch and secure a small population of surviving turtles and quickly built a breeding facility at our site to house them once they completed quarantine. Our successful breeding efforts since will hopefully prevent this species from being lost forever.

Learn more about this vital insurance breeding program, supporting the release of more Taronga-raised turtles back into their river habitat, help with operational costs for an expanded breeding facility and help fund the research to better understand the threats to their survival.

Presented by: Adam Skidmore 

Senior Keeper - Herpetofauna 

Proudly supported by ARA Group

Illegal wildlife trade is the second greatest contributor to species loss after habitat destruction, and a global criminal industry worth an estimated $23 billion dollars annually. Australia’s native wildlife are prized as exotic pets and are passing through borders either undetected, or without the authorities able to verify whether animals are illegally taken from the wild or captive-bred, as (often falsified) paperwork would indicate.

Taronga is committed to help stop the illegal wildlife trade. With our partners are working on a project that will put cost-effective, accurate tools into the hands of border security personnel around the world, providing the ability to test on the spot, the provenance of trafficked wildlife equipping them with real-time evidence of illegally poached and trafficked wildlife.

Presented by: Dr Phoebe Meagher 

Wildlife Conservation Officer 

Proudly supported by Australian Power Equipment