Families can still enjoy virtual visits to Taronga Zoo while the zoo is closed to visitors. Find out how below!
Visiting Taronga Zoo is one of our favourite things to do in Sydney with kids. Due to the lockdown, Taronga has closed its doors to visitors, but the good news is, you can still visit all your favourite animals virtually and learn a whole load at the same time.
Because, for the first time in Taronga’s 103-year-history, Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo is going virtual, with the exciting launch of Taronga TV.
Families can tune in daily for a packed schedule of fascinating keepers talks and shows, 24/7 live animal streams, amusing animal antics and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks at what the animals (and the keepers) actually get up to when the zoo is closed.
You may also like this article: How to take Virtual Field Trips from Home.
As much as we all enjoy visiting the zoo, there is so much that goes on behind-the-scenes that we have no idea about. But now is the chance to find out!
We can get a sneak peek into how the keepers care for and form close bonds with their animals, and find out more about the vital conservation work done at the zoo that helps safeguard some of our most precious native wildlife.
In addition to the two zoos, Taronga also operates two wildlife hospitals and is involved with 39 conservation organisations across 19 countries. Work varies from caring for injured native wildlife and cryopreserving the Great Barrier Reef, to breeding and releasing Bellingen River Turtles, a critical development for their long-term survival in the wild.
Highlights of Taronga TV
Animal Live-Cams
Watch the tigers, seals and elephants 24/7. Don’t miss tiger feeding at 9.30am and 2.15pm daily.
Zoo Keeper Chats
What would a komodo dragon do with a 25kg pig carcass? Learn about the ruthless eating habits of the largest lizard in the world, first-hand from the Reptile Keepers who feed them.
Animal Antics
Cute videos of some of the fun and interesting things the animals can do – including a back-flipping hippo from Dubbo!
Feeding Times
Videos showing what really happens during feeding time at the zoo.
Animal Hospital
A behind the scenes look at what work involved in animal health check-ups, procedures, consultations and more. Ever wondered how you x-ray a sea lion’s flipper? Now’s the time to find out!
Learning Resources on Taronga TV
As well as all this cool behind the scenes footage, there is also a wealth of resources available for teachers and for parents who are home schooling and looking for fun and educational content for their children. This is handily organised into sections, with guidance on what grades each activity is suitable for.
Highlights include:
Ask an Expert Video Conference Series
This video conference series will connect school students with Taronga Zoo’s world leading experts in conservation, animal recovery, sustainability and animal welfare and husbandry. Find out more about the work they do, and have the opportunity to ask questions and receive first-hand information.
Agents of Discovery programme
Designed for students in stages 3-5, this programme is designed to teach how the adaptations of animals support survival and how we can use observable features to group and classify them.
Student Photo Competition
Seen a water dragon in your backyard? Spotted a huntsman in the house? Get your snap happy kids busy for the chance to be featured on Taronga Zoo’s instagram page and win a spot in a Expert Video Conference.
LegacyLIVE
Taronga’s LegacyLIVE series shines a light on Taronga’s Legacy Species, which are 10 critical species that in 2016, Taronga made a special commitment to protect and conserve. Five of these species are native to Australia, and five are on the brink of extinction in Sumatra- a biodiversity hotspot, right on Australia’s doorstep.
This series is a unique opportunity for students to use technology to connect with working scientists, learn about critically endangered wildlife and apply Working Scientifically skills through exciting, authentic tasks just like the Taronga conservation experts!
Taronga TV will also be releasing new videos daily on their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels as well as online via tarongatv.com
Enjoy everyone!