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ASIAN ELEPHANT FACTS
Asian Elephants are the largest land animals in South East Asia.
Their favourite foods are leaves, roots and especially bananas. Their tusks
are important for stripping bark off trees, digging for roots and fighting rival
elephants. Unfortunately, poachers hunt elephants for their tusks to sell
as ivory trinkets and trophies. Asian Elephants were once very common,
but in the last 70 years their numbers have reduced by over 75 per cent.
The natural forest habitat of elephants in Sumatra has shrunk rapidly as
a result of deforestation for logging, palm oil plantations and agriculture.
STATUS:
ENDANGERED
Fun fact: An elephant’s trunk alone contains over 40,000 muscles.
Our Centenary Commitment to the Asian Elephant
Taronga’s breeding program, in partnership with other zoos, is a vital part of the
international conservation effort for this endangered species. Taronga will continue
to support wild elephants in Thailand and Indonesia by funding wildlife protection
rangers and elephant guard towers. Taronga is committed to combating the global
illegal wildlife trade issue through its Wildlife Witness app that allows users to report
illegal wildlife trade. We also support a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose
the criminal networks within South East Asia.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
SUMATRAN RHINO FACTS
SUMATRA
Sumatran Rhinos are the smallest and hairiest of all the rhino species and
the closest living relative of the Woolly Rhino that lived during the ice age.
They love to spend their time wallowing in mud holes and licking salt from
natural mineral springs and rocks. The horn is made from a protein called
keratin, the same substance as hair and fingernails. Unfortunately, many
people believe this horn can be used as medicine, causing the rhinos to be
illegally poached. This, combined with habitat loss has caused the Sumatran
Rhino to become critically endangered. Taronga actively supports
monitoring and anti-poaching patrols in their valuable natural habitat,
removing snares, providing veterinary treatment and rescuing at-risk rhinos,
moving them to safer areas.
Fun fact:
The rhino’s armor-like skin is nearly 2cm thick.
Our Centenary Commitment to the SUMATRAN RHINO
Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
Our vets, pathologists, reproductive biologists and tourism staff are actively
engaged in projects with the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas National
Park, Sumatra. We also support Rhino Protection Units to prevent and prosecute
wildlife criminals.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
AUSTRALIA
STATUS:
CRITCALLY
ENDANGERED
SUMATRAN TIGER FACTS
The presence of the Sumatran Tiger is an important indicator of a forest’s
biodiversity. Protecting tigers and their habitat means many other species
benefit, including rhinos, orangutans, elephants and humans. Rainforests
in Sumatra are being cleared to make way for unsustainable palm oil
plantations. With less than 400 of these incredible animals left in the wild,
Taronga’s population of Sumatran Tigers provides vital insurance against
declines in the wild. Taronga also supports projects in habitat protection,
habitat regeneration and the prevention of illegal trading of tigers and
tiger products.
AUSTRALIA
STATUS:
CRITCALLY
ENDANGERED
Fun fact: Sumatran Tigers are one of the only big cats that love being in water.
Our Centenary Commitment to the SUMATRAN TIGER
Taronga supports Wildlife Protection Units in Sumatra to protect Sumatran Tigers
and conserve their natural habitat. We also are part of an international breeding
program to grow the Sumatran Tiger population.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
SUN BEAR FACTS
Sun Bears are the smallest of all the bears in the world and get their name
from the yellow, ‘sun shaped’ pattern on their chest. They are the only truly
tropical bear, living in beautiful rainforests in South East Asia. Sadly, they are
threatened due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade for the pet industry, use
in gourmet cuisine and traditional medicine. The Sun Bear and their close relatives,
the Moon Bear are being kept in farms in order to extract a bodily fluid called
bile, which many people believe can be used as medicine. In order for these
beautiful animals to thrive in the wild, it is important to protect our rainforests
and avoid purchasing food or medicines that may contain Sun Bear products.
STATUS:
ENDANGERED
Fun fact: Sun Bears have a 25cm long tongue, which helps them to lick honey
out of beehives!
Our Centenary Commitment to the SUN BEAR
Taronga has committed to long-term support of Wildlife Protection Units in the
Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem, central Sumatra. This has been identified as one of 20
critical habitats for survival of the Sun Bear, Asian Elephant, Sumatran Tiger and
Sumatran Rhino. Taronga is committed to combating the global illegal wildlife
trade issue through its Wildlife Witness app that helps you to report wildlife trade.
We also support a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose the criminal networks
within South East Asia.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
Photo: Save Vietnam’s Wildlife
PANGOLIN FACTS
Pangolins are fascinating and bizarre mammals covered in tough, overlapping
scales. They love to eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky
tongue and quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when threatened.
Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss has made two pangolin
species become critically endangered and the others threatened. Many
people believe that the Pangolin’s scales and blood can be used as medicine
and their meat is considered a delicacy, which has resulted in Pangolins
becoming one of the most trafficked animals in the world.
Fun fact: Pangolin scales have sharp edges, which can slice
through a predator when attacked.
Our Centenary Commitment to the PANGOLIN
Taronga supports TRAFFIC, a global wildlife monitoring network that works
to investigate and stop illegal wildlife trade of animals like the striking Pangolin.
We’ve also created Wildlife Witness an app to report illegal wildlife trade and
help fund a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose the criminal networks
within South East Asia.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
STATUS:
CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
Photo: Dean Ingwerson
REGENT HONEYEATER FACTS
The Regent Honeyeater is a beautiful native Australian bird with striking
black and yellow scalloping on its breast and back. They make a beautiful quiet,
flute-like, metallic ringing call. Feeding mainly on the flower nectar of a select few
species of iron bark eucalypt trees, both the trees and the birds rely on each other
for survival. Heavy clearing of ironbark forests along the eastern ranges of Australia
over the last 100 years has left only small pockets of forest for Regent Honeyeaters
to feed on. Once seen in flocks of hundreds, these beautiful birds are now critically
endangered and rarely seen. Habitat restoration of the ironbark forest is needed to
help Regent Honeyeaters recover to their original numbers.
STATUS:
CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
Fun fact: Regent Honeyeater eggs are speckled with small purple-red
and violet-grey markings.
Our Centenary Commitment to the REGENT HONEYEATER
Almost 200 Regent Honeyeaters bred at Taronga Zoo have been released into the wild
at Mt Chiltern, Victoria. Successful wild breeding has already been recorded and each
year more than 60 Taronga staff, students and volunteers head to Capertee Valley
(NSW) to plant trees to support these birds. Taronga is extending its Regent Honeyeater
breeding program to Dubbo so more birds can be bred and released each year.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
PLATYPUS FACTS
The elusive Platypus is a unique egg-laying monotreme with an amazing
ability to swim and dive in rivers and streams. It is the state animal of NSW
and the Taronga Zoo emblem. The biggest threats to the Platypus are the loss
of habitat, pollution of waterways, predation by invasive species and by-catch
in nets and traps. Taronga supports platypus conservation in collaboration with
the Australian Platypus Conservancy by investigating alternatives to yabby
traps to reduce accidental catch of this iconic species.
Fun fact: The back foot ankle spur of a male Platypus contains
venom that is powerful enough to kill small animals.
Our Centenary Commitment to the PLATYPUS
In partnership with the Australian Platypus Conservancy, Taronga supports
a research program investigating and promoting alternatives to reduce the
capture of Platypus through yabby trapping – a favourite Australian pastime.
Taronga also runs Project Platypus, a program designed to empower school
children to become Platypus advocates by raising awareness, and helping their
families and communities change their attitudes and behaviours towards their
local environment.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
STATUS:
n
r
e
c
n
o
c
t
s
a
e
l
GREATER BILBY FACTS
This endearing marsupial has huge rabbit-like ears, beautiful fluffy, silky
grey fur and a long snout with a slender tongue. Living in hot climates, bilbies
are nocturnal to avoid the heat of the day and they keep cool in spiral shaped
burrows underground. Luckily, the Bilby has a backward facing pouch so it
doesn’t fill with soil while it digs. Once very common in many habitats, this iconic
mammal is now threatened due to loss of habitat, competition with introduced
species and predation, particularly by cats, foxes and dingoes. Trees are an
important part of bilby habitat. You can help by choosing FSC paper products.
Fun fact: Bilbies spread important fungi, which help plants
absorb nutrients.
Our Centenary Commitment to the greater bilby
Taronga funded the development of the National Bilby Recovery Plan in 2015.
We are now working with wild sanctuaries and other zoos to breed, release and
protect this threatened species. Taronga is extending its Greater Bilby breeding
program to Dubbo so more bilbies can be bred and released each year.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
STATUS:
VULNERABLE
MARINE TURTLE FACTS
Marine Turtles have played a vital role in maintaining the health of the
world’s oceans for more than 100 million years, including maintaining the
health of sea grass beds and coral reefs. Many species of Marine Turtle love
to eat jelly fish. However, they often mistake people’s plastic rubbish for food.
Each year Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital treats many marine turtles suffering
blocked intestines after swallowing plastics such as shopping bags, balloons
and bottle tops. Over 75% of the rubbish floating in the ocean is plastic. Your
actions can help turtles and many other marine animals – simply choose
re-usable shopping bags and reduce your use of single plastic items to
keep our oceans plastic free.
Fun fact: The largest Leatherback Turtle recorded weighed 916kg!
Our Centenary Commitment to MARINE TURTLES
Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital will continue to treat and rehabilitate injured
marine turtles and increase our understanding of their behaviour by tracking
and monitoring them after they are released through our satellite tracking
program. Taronga is committed to inspiring our guests to become ocean
defenders by choosing re-usable shopping bags to keep our oceans plastic free!
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
STATUS:
VULNERABLE
– CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED
CorROBOREE FROG FACTS
Corroboree Frogs are well known both for their striking black and yellow
appearance and for their alarming population decline. Found only in a small
area of the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park and adjacent ranges, these
little amphibians need our help now more than ever. A deadly fungus called
Chytrid has spread through these once abundant frogs. It is believed that
global warming has allowed other species of frogs carrying the disease to
move into Corroboree Frog habitat that was once too cold for them.
Taronga Zoo is involved in a National Recovery Program to help save this
species by developing a large breeding population and releasing hundreds
of frogs and thousands of eggs into the wild.
Fun fact: Male Corroboree Frogs act as guards after the females
lay the eggs in moss.
Our Centenary Commitment to the CORROBOREE FROG
Taronga is committed to the long-term involvement in the National Recovery Program
to help save this striking frog. Our Zoo Keepers and experts maintain a large conservation
breeding population. Taronga has successfully released hundreds of frogs and thousands
of eggs to prevent the extinction of this species and increase the wild population.
BE THE LIGHT FOR THE WILD WITH VIVID SYDNEY AT TARONGA ZOO
By making animal lanterns for Taronga’s Centenary celebrations you are
contributing to the conservation of ten critical species. These lanterns will go
on to transform Taronga in May and June as part of Vivid Sydney at Taronga.
Supported by our Centenary Presenting Partner, ANZ, our schools program will
light up the night when thousands of lanterns shine to celebrate wildlife.
For more information please visit taronga.org.au/100-years
STATUS:
CRITICALLY
ENDANGERED