On Tuesday 24 March, Taronga Conservation Society Australia announced that, due to the social distancing requirements suggested to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Taronga’s two zoo sites and accommodation offerings will be closed for an unspecified period of time.

This was an extremely difficult decision and one that was not taken lightly as we know that communities need places like Taronga at these times. However, Taronga is committed protecting the health and safety of our guests, staff and the broader community, as well as the 4500+ animals that call Taronga’s two zoos home.

Taronga will continue to follow the advice of NSW Health, the Federal Government and the NSW State Government and our health professionals on when it is safe to reopen. In the interim, TCSA will continue to operate as a leading conservation, wildlife health and species recovery organisation.

Taronga is proudly not-for-profit, and the revenue it makes through its zoos, accommodation, events and through donations to the Taronga Foundation, goes directly back into support, care and conservation of wildlife.

With the temporary closure of Taronga’s properties, the Taronga Foundation will continue to fundraise during this time to ensure Taronga can continue operating its two Wildlife Hospitals and its vital conservation work in Australia and overseas – in 2018/19 alone, Taronga partnered with 39 organisations working on the front line of conservation across 18 countries.

“Our activities range from caring for injured native wildlife and cryopreserving the Great Barrier Reef, to breeding and releasing Bellingen River Turtles, a critical development for their long-term survival in the wild,” says Cameron Kerr, Chief Executive of Taronga Conservation Society Australia. 

“While our conservation breeding programs for threatened wildlife help a myriad of species, and our Wildlife Hospitals treat more than 1400 injured native animals each year.”

“Following the devastating 2019/20 drought and bushfire season that decimated more than 12.6 million hectares and killed more than 1 billion animals, Australia needs organisations like Taronga now more than ever.”

To help Taronga continue its work throughout this difficult time, please visit: https://taronga.org.au/donate