Taronga Conservation Society to Open New Wildlife Hospitals

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 9, 2020 10:15 pm

A rendering of the new wildlife hospital at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo will both build new wildlife hospitals following a funding announcement as part of the New South Wales state budget.

At Taronga Zoo Sydney the funding will lead to the development of a state-of-the-art Wildlife Hospital and upgraded Reptile House. The new facility will be known as the Centre for Wildlife Rescue, Conservation Medicine and Species Recovery. It will operate at both Taronga Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoos.

A rendering of the new wildlife hospital at Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Photo Credit: Taronga Western Plains Zoo

Currently the Taronga Wildlife Hospital treats 1,500 cases of wildlife needing care. This is in addition to 3,000 annual surgeries and health checks which are performed on their own animals.

“Taronga is the primary wildlife hospital on the east coast of NSW – with admissions coming from as far as Newcastle in the north, Lithgow in the west and Jervis Bay in the South,” said NSW environment minister Matt Kean said.

“Not only are we building a brand new Wildlife Hospital, this will also provide an upgraded, state-of-the-art Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Centre – to ensure important species, such as Corroborree Frogs, are protected for generations to come.”

A rendering of the marine rescue unit at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

$37.5 million will be received from the NSW government to fund the development in addition to an earlier commitment of $3.2 million. The remaining $35.9 million is to be sought from philanthropic and private donors.

Work will begin in 2021 and it is expected that the facilities will open by 2024.

“This new hospital will bolster the Zoo’s emergency care capacity, with enabling works due to commence in mid 2021,” added Mr. Kean.