Taronga Talks

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In 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 

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It’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 House
• 00:24:36 - Debbie Cox live from Liberia in West Africa
• 00:47:07 - Dr. Jane Goodall live from the UK
• 01:12:36 - Cameron Kerr CEO of Taronga Conservation Society Australia

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When 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."

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In 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." 

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We 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."

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With 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."

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Staying 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."

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 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." 

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From 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." 

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Bruce 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."