Taronga reveals plans for new wildlife hospital, visitor hub at Sydney zoo

Taronga Zoo has released new plans to build a multimillion-dollar wildlife hospital in a move to boost its conservation efforts and respond to “rapid environmental change”. See what’s planned.

Taronga Zoo has released new plans to build a multimillion-dollar wildlife hospital in a move to boost its conservation efforts and provide up-close educational and wildlife experiences for tourists and visitors.

Sick and injured animals would be provided state of the art care at a new hospital that would include rehabilitation facilities, a marine rescue unit and, surgery rooms and pathology labs.

Taronga Zoo said the hospital would respond to “rapid environmental change” impacting wildlife across Australia. and increase the zoo’s capability to support emergency responses including koala rescues and rehabilitation.

The zoo currently cares for more than 1500 sick, injured and orphaned native animals each year and played a leading role in both the rescue of wildlife and rehabilitation of injured animals during the 2020 bushfires.

A concept plan of the hospital.

The proposed development would replace the existing wildlife hospital and provide a new state of the art treatment and teaching animal hospital.

Visitors to the zoo will be provided with a fist-hand look at wildlife care with guests able to view marine rescue areas, animal treatment and diagnostic areas.

A Taronga Zoo spokeswoman said the need for the hospital was partly driven by events such as the black summer bushfires and recent floods which “have bought into the sharp focus the impact climate change is having on our environment”.

An aerial view of the proposed hospital.

“Once in a century climatic events are now occurring with increasing frequency and intensity and having a substantial impact on already imperilled wildlife,” she said.

“Allowing guests a window into the diagnosis and treatment of wildlife provides us an opportunity to not only educate but empower them to make positive changes in their day to day lives.

“The hospital provides a platform for a deeper guest engagement by showcasing our conservation work and our expert people including keepers and vets.

A photo of the current Taronga Zoo wildlife hospital.

“These unique interactions and experiences build empathy and positive values towards wildlife fostering a commitment to conservation in our guests.”

Taronga’s plans stated the project would address the ageing state of the existing hospital facilities which have been built on “an ad hoc basis” over the years and are “no longer fit for purpose”.

“The hospital will replace existing veterinary facilities that have exceeded their life cycle, and enhance the operations of Taronga’s veterinary services as well as contribute to the ongoing education and advocacy for wildlife conservation,” the plans stated.

The facility would provide new experiences for tourists and visitors to the zoo.

“The hospital will strengthen Taronga’s existing educational facilities by offering learning and training spaces that will enable training specific to veterinary treatment and wildlife care.

“In a time of rapid environmental change, Taronga’s commitment to education, wildlife, conservation and science has never been more critical.”

Plans show the design of the hospital is proposed to resemble a “tree canopy” and is aimed at providing guests a “destination of respite within the zoo”.

Other features of the hospital include new quarantine facilities, an intensive care hub for marine turtles and upgraded clinical diagnostic areas.

The development would create up to 140 jobs during the 18 month design and construction process as well as 25 full time jobs once completed.

The proposal comes after the State Government approved separate plans for a new animal nutrition centre at the zoo which will provide facilities for research and development, as well as providing food such as worms for zoo animals to feed on.

Plans for the hospital are currently under assessment by the Department of Planning.

Taronga Zoo is one of Australia’s most popular attractions, attracting about two million visitors per year and contributing an estimated $249 million to the state’s economy each year.

Pending planning approval, the Taronga Wildlife Hospital is scheduled to open in 2025.