Editing Taronga Zoo (section)

==History==
[[File:Taronga_Zoo_lower_entrance.jpg|thumb|Taronga Zoo lower-level entrance]]
[[File:Taronga_Park_Zoo_-7Sept2008.jpg|thumb|The historic entrance of Taronga Zoo]]
[[File:Rusticbridge.jpg|thumb|Rustic Bridge, a historical relic of the zoo]]
[[File:2022-06-25_Giraffes_in_Taronga_Zoo.jpg|thumb|right|Giraffe in front of Sydney's skyline in African Savannah exhibit]]
The [[Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales]] opened the first public zoo in [[New South Wales]] in 1884 at Billy Goat Swamp in [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]], on a site now occupied by [[Sydney Boys High School]] and [[Sydney Girls High School]]. Inspired by a 1908 visit to the Hamburg Zoo, the secretary of the zoo, [[Albert Sherbourne Le Souef]], envisioned a new zoo based on the bar-less concept.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Butcher|first1=Dunbavin|title=Albert Sherbourne Le Souef (1877–1951)|url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/le-souef-albert-sherbourne-7747|journal=[[Australian Dictionary of Biography]]|volume=10|date=2006|orig-date=1986|publisher=[[Australian National University]]|access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> After realising that the Moore Park site was too small, the NSW Government granted {{convert|43|acre}} of land north of [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]]. A further {{convert|9|acre}} were later granted in 1916, and the zoo at its current site opened to the public on 7 October 1916.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Taronga Zoo Sydney, 1916 to now |url=https://taronga.org.au/about/history-and-culture/sydney |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=taronga.org.au |language=en}}</ref>

===Rustic Bridge===
The "Rustic Bridge" was opened in 1915 and was one of Taronga Zoo's earliest landscape features. It was the main way in which visitors could cross the natural [[gully]] that it spans. Early photographs show it as a romantic pathway secluded by plantings. The [[Rustication (architecture)|rustic effect]] was created by embedding stones in the wall and like the aquarium, its design was reminiscent of Italian [[grotto]]es.

===Late 20th century===
A critical review in 1967 led to a new emphasis on scientific conservation, education and preservation. New exhibits were built starting with the [[Platypus]] and Nocturnal houses, waterfowl ponds and walkthrough Rainforest Aviary. A Veterinary Quarantine Centre was built as was an Education Centre (funded by the Department of Education). Previous attractions such as elephant rides, miniature trains, monkey circus and merry-go-round gave way to educational facilities such as Friendship Farm and Seal Theatre (these latter two exhibits completed in the late 1970s).<ref name=":0" />

==== Sky Safari ====
A [[gondola lift]] (known as the Sky Safari) was installed in 1987 and updated in 2000, transporting passengers between the bottom of the park close to the [[Taronga Zoo ferry wharf|ferry wharf]], and to the top end of the zoo. The gondola closed on 31 January 2023 due to reaching the end of its workable life. A proposed update to create a more unforgettable and fully accessible family experience for passengers is in progress. Pending approval, the Sky Safari is scheduled to re-open in 2027-2028.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/taronga-zoo-announces-retirement-of-the-sky-safari-after-35-years/news-story/0bca3c615481170e9d62fa135671fd7a |title=Taronga Zoo announces retirement of the Sky Safari after 35 years |first=Eli |last=Green |date=19 January 2023 |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/taronga-zoos-sky-safari-to-close-after-35-years/news-story/d8cad20432e95e7de62fadbb3aeab195 |title=Taronga Zoo's Sky Safari to close after 35 years |date=20 January 2023 |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sky Safari |url=https://taronga.org.au/sydney-zoo/must-see/sky-safari |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=taronga.org.au}}</ref>

===2000 master plan and 21st century===
In 2000, TCSA commenced a 12-year $250 million master plan, the majority of which is being spent at Taronga Zoo. The first major master plan item was the Backyard to Bush precinct which opened in April 2003. Under the plan, the zoo received five [[Asian elephant]]s from the Thailand Zoological Park Organisation for breeding purposes, education, long-term research and involvement of conservation programs. The plan has met opposition from environmental activists in Thailand, who blockaded the trucks hauling the elephants to [[Don Mueang International Airport|Bangkok International Airport]] for their flight on 5 June 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=JUMBO BATTLE |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/06/headlines/headlines_30005842.php |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904190356/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/06/06/headlines/headlines_30005842.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 September 2012 |access-date=7 September 2014 |website=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]] |publisher=The Nation}}</ref> The elephants along with other Asian rain forest specimens are housed in the Wild Asia precinct which opened in July 2005 (the elephants arriving from quarantine in November 2006) and aims to immerse visitors in an Asian rain forest environment (though later renamed Rainforest Trail as included species from tropical Africa).

A marine section, Great Southern Oceans, opened in April 2008. Recently, the redevelopment and restoration of the historic entrance opened, further adding to the masterplan. The chimpanzee exhibit also underwent expansion work and re-opened as Chimpanzee Sanctuary allowing its residents more space and also to assist making it easier for the introduction of new individuals by splitting the areas of the exhibit when necessary.<ref>{{cite news |author=Daily Telegraph staff |date=25 July 2008 |title=Taronga Zoo's new seal and sea lion show has a messages |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,,24073097-5006009,00.html |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

The Tiger Trek precinct opened in August 2017 allowing for multiple exhibits of critically endangered [[Sumatran tigers]].

The zoo's African Savannah precinct, which opened in June 2020, was constructed as a major renovation and spatial expansion of the zoos' previous [[giraffe]] and [[plains zebra|zebra]] yards.

In June 2024, the Taronga Zoo opened up the Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Centre (ARC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taronga.org.au/news/2024-06-26/sydneys-newest-reptile-experience|title=Jump, slither and crawl into ARC|publisher=Taronga Zoo|date=26 June 2024|accessdate=28 June 2024}}</ref>

===Zoo Friends===
[[Zoo Friends]] is an annual paid membership program that provides unlimited, year round entry into Taronga and [[Western Plains Zoo]]. The membership also includes benefits such as half price parking, discounts in shops and cafes, exclusive access to events, and more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taronga Zoo Annual Memberships, Zoo Friends |url=https://taronga.org.au/zoo-friends |access-date=2024-10-26 |website=taronga.org.au}}</ref>

=== Education ===
The zoo collaborates with [[TAFE]] and its Institute of Science and Learning to offer specialized training courses. These programs focus on conservation, animal care, and wildlife management, providing hands-on education to future zoo professionals. Students gain practical experience, preparing them for careers in wildlife conservation and animal husbandry.