With a wingspan of over 3 metres, the Andean Condor is the largest flying bird of prey in the world.
Master Plan
The Master Plan for Taronga and Western Plains Zoo is a 12-year program to revolutionise facilities at both zoos and fundamentally expand their ability to participate in world-class conservation, education and wildlife care programs.
Started in 2001, the Master Plan is the most comprehensive rebuilding of the zoos since Taronga opened in 1916 and Western Plains Zoo in 1977.
At Taronga Zoo, new mega-exhibits have already come on-line with the amazing Australian journey that is ‘Backyard to Bush’, the fascinating riverside jungle trail that is ‘Wild Asia’ and the gigantic showcase of the wildlife of the southern oceans, ‘Great Southern Oceans’.
Central to the philosophy of Master Plan developments has been the creation of what’s known as ‘bio-geographical’ zones, which reproduces an entire habitat and features the animals that depend on that habitat to survive. This has allowed the zoos to increase its visitor education commitments through educating visitors to understand and appreciate the need to preserve habitat to support threatened species.
Additionally, improved visitor facilities have been developed, eg the Taronga Food Market and the soon-to-be constructed new entry precinct.
At Western Plains Zoo, a beautifully themed ‘Wild Asian Wetlands’ leads visitors on a journey into the Himalayan grasslands and riverine habitat which supports the huge Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and mischievous Oriental Small-clawed Otters.
A Visitor Education program has seen an educational and interpretive package of sculptures, interactive information resources and signage developed and installed across the entire site.
An impressive African Savannah is also planned at Western Plains Zoo.
Both zoos have also had impressive upgrades to their Veterinary and Quarantine Centres, making them amongst the best veterinary facilities in zoos around the world.
With the upgrading of the zoos’ facilities, there has been a commensurate rate of success in vital programs for threatened species, conservation breeding and achool and visitor education.
New educational facilities at Taronga’s ‘Wild Asia’ have increased the curriculum-based schools programs and an entire new Education Centre has been built at Western Plains Zoo.
The Taronga Foundation was established in 2000 to raise funds for the zoos’ Master Plan. For ever dollar raised by the Foundation, the NSW Government contributes three dollars. The overall 12-year Master Plan for the zoos will cost $225 million.
