Taronga Talks

Send a textIn early 2020 Taronga launched its new program to support environmental innovation – the HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program. Taronga believes that innovation is a key part of securing a shared future for wildlife and people, and recognises that we need to look beyond the usual approaches to tackle environmental challenges. Over the last decade we have supported innovation in conservation through the Green Grants program, and HATCH is the exciting next step. Join us for a chat with Paul Maguire, Taronga’s Director of Education, and Danielle Fryday, Community Conservation and Engagement Officer at Taronga, to learn more about the HATCH Program and the challenges and silver linings of running the inaugural program during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also chat with HATCH 2020 winners Good-Edi about their journey and HATCH experience, and what’s next for them and their edible coffee cups!   “In terms of our start-up journey, it’s been a really amazing experience. We’ve become entrepreneurs, which is a completely different ballgame to our corporate live before, and of course it’s very challenging and a lot of work, but at the end of the day extremely rewarding.” – Catherine, Co-Founder Good-Edi 

Send a textIt’s been an exciting time for Taronga Zoo’s chimpanzee group, and for chimpanzee research being conducted around the world. Taronga celebrated the 60th birthday of matriarch chimpanzee ‘Spitter’ this month, along with the 60th anniversary of Dr Jane Goodall’s ground-breaking chimpanzee research project in Gombe, Tanzania on World Chimpanzee Day.Join us for a very special Taronga Talk, where we take a virtual tour around the world to hear from our passionate primate keepers past and present, our CEO Cameron Kerr, along with the incredible Dr Jane Goodall to celebrate this milestone!Hear from our special guests: 00:01:31 - Primate Keepers Katie Hooker & Paul Davies in Taronga’s Chimpanzee House00:24:36 - Debbie Cox live from Liberia in West Africa00:47:07 - Dr. Jane Goodall live from the UK01:12:36 - Cameron Kerr CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia

Send a textWhen Senior Marine Keeper Jo Walker started at Taronga Zoo, she was instantly spellbound by penguins. She fell in love with the look and inquisitive nature of this unusual bird, and was fascinated by their need to survive on both the land and sea. Her passion for penguins was ignited in Antarctica, beginning her life’s quest to see every single species of penguin in the wild."When I went down to Antarctica, I think it changed my life and perspective… it was the most pristine, serene and beautiful place. I remember so clearly those penguins – you could just see them flying underwater. I felt so blessed to see them in the wild that I made it my life’s mission to see every single species of penguin out in the wild."

Send a textIn the first Taronga Talks episode for season 2, Taronga Conservation Society Australia CEO Cameron Kerr reflects on the enormous change affecting us all during the COVID-19 pandemic. With over 5,000 animals to still care for, ongoing conservation work to help save endangered species and two beautiful Zoos to maintain, there's no such thing as ‘hibernation’ during lockdown at Taronga!"I think there’s a really exciting opportunity for us here in this crisis for anyone who’s involved with behaviour change or advocating to live and act slightly differently… We can still get the same joy out of life and still have a growing economy – one that is based on sustainability through growth." 

Send a textWe were honoured to welcome respected Brewarrina Elder and Australian country music legend Col Hardy OAM to the Taronga Talks studio, for a very special conversation. Col’s incredible journey to Taronga is carried by his love of music and sacred connection to the land and wildlife. As Education Officer for Taronga’s ‘Animals of the Dreaming’ Zoomobile program, Col now travels all around NSW to bring Dreamtime stories and native animals to life for the next generation – using his musical talent to engage and inspire. "I remember when I was a young fella many years ago, my Dad brought me down one time and I said, ‘I want to go to Taronga’, and he brought me over. I just love it because – there’s just something about it. I think when everyone talks about zoos, Taronga is always number one – it’s in a beautiful spot right on the beach, with all the beautiful animals and reptiles – they are all so special."

Send a textWith an interest in anatomy, the weird and wonderful, and a lifelong affinity with animals – the writing was on the wall for Dr. Lydia Tong to devote her career to science. As Veterinary Pathologist at Taronga Wildlife Hospital, Lydia acts as the ‘Zoo’s Coroner’ – investigating the lives and deaths of animals. She gathers information that helps to improve the welfare of animals in Taronga’s care, and even help fight the illegal trade of animals in the wild. Her passion for science and inquiry makes a difference – from providing understanding and closure following mysterious animal deaths, to making discoveries like the elusive gender traits of echidnas."When it comes to the work I do every day – each one of my patients is like a precious, rare book… During necropsy, you’ve got two days to ‘read and preserve’ that book to have it in the future, so you don’t lose the valuable lesson the animal has given us. They really do Taronga an incredible service by being with us, helping to educate millions of people, so we make sure to return that privilege in what we do."

Send a textStaying positive and solutions-focused keeps Belinda Fairbrother tackling huge global challenges like climate change, every day. Spending her formative years at play in the Aussie bush, Belinda acquired a love and curiosity of nature and animals that led to her studying Environmental Science – and travelling as far as Antarctica – to learn how to protect them. As Community Conservation and Engagement Manager at Taronga Zoo, Belinda works tirelessly to create magic moments that connect Taronga’s guests with animals, and to inspire people to Act for the Wild. "I am radically optimistic, generally, I try not to dwell on the hardship and the challenges…For me, it’s about surrounding yourself with people who are positive and solutions-focused and collaborating. It even comes from having a walk through the Zoo and having those connective moments with an animal to remind myself, ‘Yes, that’s why I do this."

Send a text Every second weekend during his teens, Anthony Dorrian would help his father with Taronga Zoo’s food and manure runs. He jumped at every opportunity to learn and grow as a keeper – first at Taronga Zoo Sydney, then at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, before working abroad in England and Ireland. With over 35 years’ experience, Anthony shares his love of ungulates (hooved animals) as Senior Keeper at Taronga Western Plains Zoo – pioneering techniques in Hippopotamus dentistry that continues to amaze guests.  "More than 2/3 of my life has been spent in Taronga – it is a big chunk of my life and a big story of my life. But Taronga is also a big part of my family. I have a very personal connection to the organisation having spent 18 years at Taronga Zoo and now 17 years at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. It really is a family connection." 

Send a textFrom caring for stray dogs to rehabilitating native wildlife at WIRES, Jimmy Sanders was born with an innate love of nature. Taronga Zoo’s Chimpanzee Talk inspired him to pursue a career as a Zoo Keeper – unlocking his passion for ungulates (hooved animals) and his life’s calling to protect the iconic Giraffe. As Senior Ungulate Keeper at Taronga Zoo Sydney, Jimmy has high hopes for a shared future for Giraffe and people – inspiring individuals to support community-centred conservation projects in Africa."Taronga is my life – I live and breathe Taronga and conservation. Taronga has taught me everything I know about conservation. I owe my future and my past to Taronga Zoo... I wouldn’t be where I am now and I wouldn’t be where I’m about to go. For me, I couldn’t be more honoured or proud to be part of the Taronga family." 

Send a textBruce Murdock’s earliest memory of connecting with animals occurred when he was very young, during a pony ride. He knew he wanted to live his life around animals. Starting small with a ‘free-range’ pet rabbit, Bruce sought out learning experiences that brought him closer to wildlife. Despite advice to the contrary, Bruce was determined to make a career from zoo-keeping. Fast forward 29 years, today Bruce proudly manages a team of passionate keepers and volunteers at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. With between 600-800 animals under his portfolio as Precinct Manager, Bruce shares insights on his diverse role and the complexities of pride life for Lions."Taronga means passionate people – I get to work with so many people in so many areas with their own passion, drive and direction of where they want to go and where to take the organisation in the future. Taronga is all about its people... It’s so important as collectively we make the difference, we don’t do it individually, but as a team zoo-wide."

Send a textGrowing up in Sydney’s pristine Northern Beaches, Wendy Gleen used to wake up to blue-tongued lizards, diamond pythons, koalas and a brilliant dawn chorus. Then one day she realised – houses had replaced animals and the birds had stopped singing… and nobody else seemed to notice. As Senior Keeper in Taronga Zoo’s Australian Fauna division, Wendy challenges you to step through the ‘magic portal’ and once again open your eyes to the diverse, wild world around you. "Taronga is part of my family, with lots of loved ones and support… As you can probably tell, I’m a conservationist first and foremost, that’s my mission in life. It’s the little things that matter –  biodiversity. The Zoo just provides this wonderful vehicle to be able to communicate those issues in lots of different ways. To be part of that change is very exciting."

Send a textWe were honoured to welcome the incredible Dr. Jane Goodall to Taronga this month for an intimate conversation at Taronga’s wonderful Institute of Science & Learning. With almost 60 years of chimpanzee research at Gombe National Park in Tanzania, coupled with first-hand knowledge of global issues facing our future generations, Dr. Jane shines a light on the choices we can all make to secure the future that our planet desperately needs. Her message is one of hope, unity and inspiration – that together we will secure a shared future for wildlife and people."If you start acting locally to clean up your own river, take plastic from the ocean or lake shore, to planting trees, to reforest, to educate the youth. Then you realise, ‘I’ll do my bit here, but now I know that young people in all these other countries are doing the same sort of thing’. So then you get hope. Because then you realise, I alone can do nothing, but together we can make a difference."

Send a textSigned up and ready to join the Royal Australian Air Force, Maz Boz never thought a ‘Keeper for the Day’ experience at Taronga Zoo would change his life forever. He was so blown away by the people and magic of Taronga that he immediately changed his career, joining Taronga as a volunteer keeper. Today, Maz continues to pursue a fulfilling vocation as a Carnivore Keeper – enriching the lives of Meerkats, Sun Bears and Red Pandas in his care whilst inspiring Taronga Zoo Guests every day."The biggest thing is community… I’m so proud to be part of Taronga’s community not just in Australia, though internationally. We have people visiting from so many different cultures who still learn, engage and walk away knowing the role they play in protecting the environment and wildlife."

Send a textWith up to 600 animals attending Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Hospital in any given year, no two days are the same for Senior Veterinarian Dr. Benn Bryant. From annual health checks of Taronga Western Plains Zoo’s mega-vertebrates like Giraffe, to saving local injured wildlife, Benn works tirelessly to achieve the optimal welfare and health of every animal. Growing up in suburban Sydney suburbs, Benn credits his love of animals to formative farming experiences, along with his admiration of veterinarian hero, James Herriot. Today, Benn extends his own veterinarian expertise from Dubbo to conservation efforts abroad, helping to successfully breed the critically-endangered Sumatran Rhinoceros in Indonesia."Taronga has been a very big part of my life for the last 20 years or so. Taronga is a big part of the community out here in Dubbo as well… it’s really allowed me to pursue what’s been such a gratifying, interesting and nourishing career, within the context of working towards the common goal of conservation." 

Send a text  The strong bond between a Keeper and their animal is hard-won, yet the most valuable tool available for animal training and enrichment. Danielle Fox knows that, like all good relationships, trust and rapport is earnt over time. From the diligent Californian Sea Lion to the cruisy New Zealand Fur Seal, Danielle adjusts her training approach to suit both the species and character of each individual. As Unit Supervisor of Marine Mammals, Danielle Fox feels privileged that her animals chose to accept her – and that together they inspire thousands of people to live for the wild. "For me personally, Taronga is a means of connecting people to animals and inspiring others to care about wildlife just the way that I do... getting them up close to the animals, getting them to experience what we experience, getting them to know what we know and inspiring them."     

Send a textAs far back as he can remember, Paul Davies always wanted to be a Zoo Keeper. His childhood visits to Whipsnade Zoo in England cemented both his love of animals and awe of the zoo keeping profession. When life took an unexpected turn during his teens, Paul sought travel – first moving to Scotland before his big move to Australia. Thirty-six years later, Paul counts himself lucky to work as a Senior Australian Fauna Keeper at Taronga Zoo. Caring for native species like feathertail gliders, long-nose bandicoots, bettongs and potoroos in Taronga Zoo’s Nocturnal House, Paul Davies uses creativity to reveal the animals right on your doorstep.        "I never wanted to be anything else but a Zookeeper. And I still am, I have to pinch myself sometimes…Taronga has been everything to me. It’s been my one rod that has always been there for me no matter what’s happened in my life… I feel in many ways we still are this big family."   

Send a textLooking after the world’s fastest mammal, one of the world’s slowest animals and Africa’s most efficient predator is all in a day’s work for Taronga Western Plains Zoo Keeper Jordie Michelmore. Having joined Taronga Zoo’s ‘Youth at the Zoo’ program (YATZ) at 14 years-old, Jordie’s passion for animals keeps her chasing every opportunity – from relocating to Dubbo to look after Cheetahs, Galapagos Tortoise and African Wild Dog, to working with the Northern Rangelands Trust in Kenya to protect endangered wildlife.    "To go from volunteering as a little YATZ kid at 14 to now working as a Keeper… it’s such a special community to be a part of. I’ve met some of the most amazing people at both zoos… they’re the most passionate, driven people and the things they’re all individually doing for wildlife and conservation is really inspiring."  

Send a text Though scaly and scary to some, Michael McFadden has always loved reptiles. His Honours degree first led him to Taronga Zoo, where he seized an opportunity to work in the Reptile House. Now Unit Supervisor for Herpetofauna, Michael is living out his childhood dream of not only working with reptiles and amphibians – but saving many critically endangered species from extinction. From breeding and releasing the tiny Southern Corroboree Frog back into Kosciuszko National Park, to conducting field research of the mighty Komodo Dragon in Indonesia, Michael shares his passion for the ‘unsung heroes’ of the animal world.    "I certainly wouldn’t say Taronga is ‘just a job’ – I’d say it’s anything but that. It’s one of those things that’s a lifestyle, it’s a family and it’s also your passion… You’re working with so many like-minded and passionate people towards the same goal of protecting threatened species." 

Send a textThe ocean was her first love… the salt, the spray, the waves. When her cat dragged a tiny naked bird into her home one day, Libby Hall fell in love again. Protecting and caring for injured wildlife, watching them grow stronger and releasing them back into their habitats became her life’s calling. As Manager of Taronga’s Wildlife Hospital, Libby shares raw glimpses into the trials and triumphs of life on the edge of tragedy, the hope of rehabilitation and the catharsis of release.    "Taronga is a constant source of inspiration. The people that work there are my family. The animals that live there… every day I see them and think, ‘WOW, they’re just so amazing!’ When you get to know them, their personalities and how they interact with the other animals… they just still fill me with wonder."  

Send a textFrom early morning bird-watching with his father in country Victoria, to watching tadpoles turn into turtles as a boy, Matt Kettle was always fascinated with wildlife. An unexpected friendship with a Zimbabwean falconer stirred his great love of birds early in his career. He spread his wings with a 12-month opportunity to create Taronga Zoo’s QBE Free-flight Bird Show. 22-years (and two children) later, he still calls Sydney home. As Unit Supervisor of Free-flight Birds, Matt invites you to look up and appreciate the beautiful, buoyant birdlife in your own backyard.   "I feel like Taronga has offered me so many opportunities beyond just working with animals. I feel very lucky to be able to be paid to work in something that’s brought me a lot of joy… a lot of satisfaction."   

Send a textHundreds of metres of fencing forms a sanctuary for some of Australia’s most vulnerable and critically endangered species. Yet how can we save Australia’s Greater Bilby, Regent Honeyeater and Plains-Wanderer from behind a fence? Andrew Elphinstone sheds light on ‘re-wilding’ and his most important conservation project yet as Taronga’s Manager of Conservation and Recovery Programs."Taronga is a tough place to work. It’s a great place to work, but it’s not easy. We work hard and we expect a lot of each other and the organisation expects a lot from us. But, it’s opportunity… I can’t imagine doing my work without the support of Taronga behind it."

Send a textHad she not called up to confirm her post, Louise Ginman may have never worked at Taronga Zoo. Just ten days after starting as a Carnivore Keeper, Louise first experienced the joy of welcoming Sumatran Tiger cubs to the world. Twenty-five years later as Carnivore Unit Supervisor, she is raising cubs again – this time Red Panda and Sumatran Tiger triplets! With less than 50 breeding pairs of Sumatran Tigers left in the wild, Louise’s work breeding and caring for this critically endangered species is more important than ever."Every single person has got such a passion for Taronga, and if they didn’t they wouldn’t be there… almost half of my lifetime I’ve been at Taronga and – it is my life. I love what I do. The day that I don’t love what I do is the day that I’ll leave, and I haven’t left yet!"