Careers in Conservation at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Working as a Herpetofauna Keeper at Taronga Zoo Sydney is special, but having the opportunity to work in the field and aid the recovery of an endangered species elevates the job to a whole new level. One recovery program that Taronga Zoo is involved in is the rehabilitation of a unique amphibian; the Southern Corroboree Frog.

This is one of Taronga’s Legacy Species and one of Australia's most threatened species, with less than 50 mature individuals left in the wild in Kosciuszko National Park.

Michael heads up Taronga Zoo’s Herpetofauna team, which care for the reptiles and amphibians at the Zoo, from the miniscule Dwarf Tree Frog to the world’s longest snake, the Reticulated Python. He is passionate about amphibians and is the driving force  behind Taronga’s Corroboree Frog recovery work.

Corroboree Frog research and breeding programs at Taronga Zoo Sydney are critical in saving this species from extinction, but Michael and his team’s proudest moments come when out working in the field on release and population monitoring in protected habitat sites on Australia’s alpine slopes.

Corroboree Frogs are not your typical amphibians. They are small in stature, but vibrant in colour. This bright contrasting display is known as aposematic colouring and a warning to any potential predators that this frog is toxic! Their biggest threat comes from the devastating Chytrid Fungus.

Zookeepers are at the heart of Taronga Zoo and work incredibly hard to bring together amazing experiences for guests while showcasing exceptional animal welfare. 

One way that keepers can engage with guests to share messages of conservation and spark a love for the wild is through the many regular shows that take place at Taronga Zoo Sydney. QBE Free Flight Bird Show keeper Klay loves her role, inspiring guests and building relationships with some of the world’s most spectacular bird species.

The QBE Free Flight Bird Show has many star performers. They all undergo extensive training with the Bird Show Keepers, like Klay, to wow the thousands of guests who enjoy the show each year. They follow incredible routines out in the open air with one of the most spectacular views in Sydney.

Klay is part of a team of dedicated Zookeepers who work on the Bird Show Division at Taronga Zoo. Her team is responsible for all animal husbandry and bird conditioning. As a presentation keeper, her role is an amazing combination of entertainer, storyteller, avian expert, and animal trainer! 

Taronga Zoo is an awe inspiring place and one that holds stories, history, and a respect for the environment that dates back thousands of years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the pioneers of sustainability and Taronga Zoo Sydney proudly sits on Cammeraigal land.

Another iconic presentation is the Seal Show. The Marine Team take the stage to inspire action for sustainability in our oceans. Species such as the Australian sea lion show off their natural abilities while teaching guests about the importance of buying Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood.

The Australian Registry for Wildlife Health is a small, dedicated research and diagnostic centre that investigates the health and diseases of both captive and wild animals. 

The team works with a wide range of partners to solve complex wildlife health problems, such as disease outbreaks and quickly responding to wildlife health events out in the field. They have over 40,000 individual animal cases in their database!

Adam is a Senior Herpetofauna Keeper. He has worked with a range of agencies to establish the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle breeding facility at Taronga Zoo. This breeding facility is crucial in saving this species from extinction and has been one of the highlights of his career so far.

Jane, Adam, and the Australian Registry for Wildlife Health team collaboratively investigated the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle mortality event with other agencies. Their work not only isolated the disease that wiped out almost all adult turtles: They were the first scientists to ever discover it!

This is a juvenile turtle that was bred and hatched at Taronga Zoo, under Keeper Adam’s watchful eye. They are native to a 70km stretch of river near Coffs Harbour, NSW. Without his expertise and ability to work collaboratively under pressure, this species would most likely be functionally extinct.

Teaching spaces like the rainforest classroom in the Institute of Science and Learning connect school students with wildlife at risk, like Peril, an endangered Elongated Tortoise. 

This species, along with many others, are common targets in the collection of wild animals for the illegal wildlife trade. Australia has strict quarantine laws to protect the incredible biodiversity found across its many ecosystems. 

The Wildlife Witness app is a joint initiative between Taronga Zoo, TRAFFIC, and several other conservation organisations. It is a powerful way that travelers can identify illegal wildlife trafficking activity across the globe, and prevent this from continuing to decimate species all over the world.

This critically endangered primate from South America is a target in the illegal pet trade due to its small size, big personality and impressive hairstyle. These handsome fellows engage with school students to build empathy around their need for ambassadors to protect their habitat.

The Cane Toad is a perfect example of an introduced species that has had a negative impact on Australia’s fauna. Introduced in the 1930s in an attempt to control the Cane Beetle, this predatory approach did not go to plan. Sammy the Cane Toad teaches students about the risks of introduced species. 

Education programs are crucial in connecting students with the natural world and sharing powerful conservation messages and actions. The Taronga Institute of Science & Learning is home to 3 Habitat Classrooms. 

The Desert Habitat Classroom is an immersive learning space modelled off the arid centre of Australia and is home to animals and plants found in this environment. 

Zoo Education Officers work closely with the Institute Zookeepers to engage students and teachers with incredible animals and apply scientific and geographic skills in authentic ways. 

Zoo education is a rewarding role that connects students with animals and the science behind conservation. Taronga’s educators are passionate about transforming students into global citizens through inspirational interactions. They say to not work with kids or animals, but Courtney begs to differ!

Enrichment are ways to encourage animals to demonstrate natural behaviours and stimulate their lives, mentally, socially, and physically. Zookeepers work with the Behavioural Science Unit and volunteers to design and make unique and interesting ways to enrich the lives of animals in Taronga’s care.

The Desert Classroom offers a unique opportunity to see a Greater Bilby up close. Through this connection, students learn about recovery programs that Taronga is involved in across Australia. They hear the stories of these ecosystem engineers and learn about Taronga’s 110ha Sanctuary at Dubbo, NSW. 

Connecting guests and students with native Australian animals is a highlight of many roles at Taronga Zoo. Australia is home to an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna that is found nowhere else on Earth and guests travel from all over the world to experience special moments with the species.

Taronga's Australian Fauna Zookeepers not only work with the animals you can see on exhibit, but work on some of the nation's most successful research and breeding conservation programs.

Murphy is a juvenile Red Kangaroo who was hand raised by Keeper Imogen and now inspires guests with her fascinating adaptations. Those big ears aren’t just for hearing, they are excellent for temperature regulation on hot days in Australia’s arid centre!

One of Taronga’s Legacy Species, the Regent Honeyeater is a critically endangered bird from New South Wales and Victoria. Taronga Zoo’s conservation efforts have been crucial in restoring habitat and leading a breed for release program to return this pollinator back to Australia’s Ironbark forests.

Monotremes are egg-laying mammals unique to Australia and Papua New Guinea. This beautiful puggle was born at Taronga's Echidna Breeding Facility, which is one of the most successful in the world. Once hatched, puggles are supported by the milk of their mother, which oozes out of pores in her skin! 

Animal health is crucial in a zoo, but Taronga Zoo's expert veterinary team, based in the Taronga Wildlife Hospital, have animal care responsibilities that extend beyond the borders of the Zoo. 

The team manage the health of all animals in Taronga's care, as well as assisting with close to 1,400 wildlife treatment and rehabilitation cases each year, and they have assessed and cared for over 500 confiscated animals since 2013. 

Taronga Wildlife Hospital works to ensure all animals at Taronga are happy and healthy. Taronga’s hospital team have a broad skill set. Their morning could involve checking the hooves of a Giraffe and finish with a Little Penguin injury assessment. This one had been rescued from a storm water drain.

Dr Larry is the Zoo’s Senior Veterinarian. He is an expert in the health, wellbeing and anatomy of creatures great and small. His busy days can be spent doing anything from ultrasounding a Quokka to X-raying a Californian Sea Lion, or like here conducting a health check on a Tasmanian Devil joey.

Taronga Wildlife Hospital lead rehabilitation programs for many native species. Dr Larry and his team find releasing healed animals, like this Green Turtle, one of the most rewarding parts of their job. The satellite tracker on its shell collects invaluable data around their lives in the open ocean.

Working as an Exotic Fauna Zookeeper, like the Carnivore division who work in the award-winning Tiger Trek exhibit is a fascinating career path. Sumatran Tigers are a critically endangered big cat on the brink of extinction in their homeland of the diminishing jungles of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Saving a species from extinction is not a one person job and zoo-based conservation projects involve many different people and organisations.

The Exotic Fauna Team, including Keeper Ben, work with animals not native to Australia, like the busy Meerkats and the majestic Sumatran Tiger. This tiger species is under immense threat, with fewer than 400 left in the wild. Taronga is part of a global breeding program to protect their future.

 Belinda is the Manager of Community Conservation and Engagement. Her role is to develop ways to engage guests to act for the wild through behaviour change campaigns. Raise Your Palm increases awareness about purchasing products that use sustainably sourced palm oil to protect Sumatran Tiger habitat.

It is important that all animals live rich and stimulating lives. Zookeepers support this is by providing animals with enrichment. Big cats often scent mark and keepers stimulate this natural behaviour by marking the Sumatran Tiger enclosures with interesting smells, sometimes even with perfume!

Taronga’s Exotic Fauna team also create experiences to connect guests with animals from across the globe and create lasting memories that drive conservation action. There is nothing quite like getting a first hand look at the incredibly dextrous tongue of a Giraffe during feeding time.