tarongazoo timeline

By alicehwang

  • The first public zoo in New South Wales (NSW) officially opened in Sydney in 1884 on a site known as Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park, operated by the Zoological Society of NSW which was founded in March 1879.

  • After a visit to Germany in 1908 the elected Secretary of the zoo, Albert Sherbourne Le Souef, returned with a vision for a new Sydney zoo, based on the bar-less exhibits of Hamburg Zoo.

  • On April 24th, 1912 the NSW Government granted 43 acres of land north of the harbour which were part of Ashton Park. Another 9 acres were granted in April 1916.

  • In 1913, Management of the zoo passed to a Trust named the New Zoological Gardens Trust which became the Taronga Zoological Park Trust.

  • In all, 228 mammals, 552 birds and 64 reptiles were moved from Moore Park to Taronga. Many, including the elephants, crossed the harbour on board a flat top barge.

  • Taronga Zoo was officially opened on October 7th, 1916.

  • The Giraffe House was completed in 1923

  • the Aquarium in 1927

  • Floral Clock in 1928

  • Tahr Mountain in 1932

  • the Tiger Pits in 1939.

  • In the 1940's - 1960's several new exhibits were built including those for larger cats, koalas, apes and gorillas.

  • After a critical review in 1967, a new era in the style and philosophy for the operation of Taronga began which reflected the new emphasis on scientific research, conservation and education.

  • In June 1973 a new Zoological Parks Board Act of NSW was enacted replacing the Trust with the Zoological Parks Board of NSW.

  • Between 2008-2009 the Board was renamed the Taronga Conservation Society Australia to better reflect the range of national and global initiatives in its make-up.

  • In 2008 they introduced their ‘Twilight at Taronga’ program which is now held annually. This is a music program with a range of well-known acts performing near the homes of Australian animal exhibits.

  • In 2009, the first Asian elephant was born at Taronga Zoo.

  • In 2015, the Australian Government announced its support for a 10 yr redevelopment program for Taronga. This re-design is aimed at inspiring positive connections between people and wildlife

    and to encourage greater contribution to conservation and habitat protection.

  • This led to Taronga opened their Tiger Trek in 2017, is an immersive experience, providing an opportunity for people to get up-close to critically endangered Sumatran Tigers and learn how simple shopping choices

    (e.g. chocolate choice) can result in the loss of preservation of the natural habitat of these tigers. The program is aimed at educating and encouraging people to buy products that don’t result in loss of habitats.

  • In 2019, three Sumatran tiger cubs and eight Little Penguin chicks were born within the zoo.

  • In 2020, they started their animal live streams – freely accessible to all at any time of day.