Taronga Zoo plans for new Wildlife Hospital and upgraded Reptile Centre with government and private funding

November 9, 2020

Taronga Zoo is planning a new Wildlife Hospital and an upgraded, state-of-the-art Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre with funding of $37.5 million from the NSW Government as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget (in addition to $3.2 million previously committed by the NSW Government) along with $35.9 million to be sought from philanthropic and private donors.

The Wildlife Hospital – to be called the Centre for Wildlife Rescue, Conservation Medicine and Species Recovery – will operate at both Taronga Sydney and Western Plains Zoos and is scheduled to be completed by 2024.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the additional government funding would ensure the animals receive the best possible care adding “Taronga is a Sydney Harbour icon with more than 1.1 million people visiting the more than 4,000 animals from over 350 species that call the Zoo home every year.

“This new hospital will bolster the Zoo’s emergency care capacity, with enabling works due to commence in mid-2021.”

NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean said the new infrastructure will enable the team to continue their emergency wildlife welfare work treating over 1,500 cases each year, on top of approximately 3,000 annual surgeries and health checks for their own animals, and boost important preventative health care and biosecurity programs.

Kean notes “Taronga is the primary wildlife hospital on the east coast of NSW – with admissions coming from as far as Newcastle in the north, Lithgow in the west and Jervis Bay in the South.

“Not only are we building a brand new Wildlife Hospital, this will also provide an upgraded, state-of-the-art Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre – to ensure important species, such as Corroborree Frogs, are protected for generations to come.”

The 2020-21 NSW Budget is also promising to deliver the NSW arts and culture sector $30.1 million through the second stage of the NSW Government’s Rescue and Restart package with NSW Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin noting “COVID-19 has had an enormous financial impact on the arts and culture sector. In the initial stage we worked to stabilise organisations in critical financial need as an unavoidable result of the restrictions which were necessary to ensure the safety of the community. The plan worked. No organisation failed.

“Through Stage 2 of the Rescue and Restart package we will be able to help the recovery of over 160 companies, which includes significant investment for 60 organisations across regional NSW, with more than $24.2 million in funding to immediately kickstart their programs.”

Image top: Taronga Zoo NSW Centre for Conservation and Wildlife Rescue Section Perspective

Image centre: Taronga Zoo Green Turtle in Wildlife Hospital. Credit Paul Fahy

Image above: Taronga Zoo koala being assessed by vet Dr Benn Bryant. Credit Rick Stevens

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24th June 2020 - Taronga Zoo releases endangered regent honeyeaters into wild

20th November 2019 - Taronga Zoo commences redevelopment of African Wild Dogs exhibit

12th October 2019 - Wildlife Retreat opens at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

30th September 2019 - Taronga Zoo opens new Capybara habitat

22nd September 2019 - Taronga Zoo highlights continued threat to the Rhino

28th August 2019 - Sydney’s Taronga Zoo prepares to open new luxury lodge

2nd June 2019 - Taronga Zoo helps educate students on protection of endangered species

4th March 2019 - Taronga Zoo Seal Show wins award for Public Engagement

30th January 2019 - Taronga Zoo Director recognised for commitment to wildlife conservation

21st January 2019 - Taronga Zoo to acknowledge critically endangered species on Australia Day

5th December 2018 - Taronga Zoo helps advance understanding of protected species

28th August 2018 - Taronga Zoo announces Moshtix ticketing partnership

12th July 2017 - Taronga Zoo moves toward plastic-free operations

7th October 2016 - Taronga Zoo marks 100 years of conservation

25th September 2016 - Taronga Zoo gets approval for $30 million conservation centre

1st June 2016 - Taronga Zoo shines a light on threatened species during Vivid Sydney

8th December 2015 - Taronga Zoo looks to develop Wildlife Retreat accommodation experience

30th November 2015 - Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo recognised at NSW Tourism Awards

19th June 2015 - Taronga Zoo reveals plans for $16 million Sumatran Tiger exhibit

20th March 2013 - Survey shows Taronga Zoo to be NSW’s most popular attraction

13th March 2011 - Taronga Zoo named Australia’s best major tourist attraction

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