Tahr's eye-view from Taronga's new boardwalk

TARONGA Zoo's new boardwalk exhibit features the Himalayan tahrs and a spectacular view of the Sydney Harbour and animals below.

Tahr exhibit

THEY used to rule the zoo - kings of their mountain home.

But after Taronga Zoo opened its latest boardwalk exhibit yesterday, the Himalayan tahrs aren't the only ones with a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour and the animals below.

The new 3m-high walkway allows patrons to get up close and personal with the mountain residents for the first time.

Stretching from the top of the chimpanzee exhibit to the African walkthrough, visitors can now walk directly past the barbary sheep, Himalayan tahrs and snow leopards.

Zoo spokeswoman Danielle McGill said the new Tahr Mountain Link was a "stunning scenic route" allowing visitors to see the animals from another vantage point.

"I think what's really great about it is it joins the two greatest things about Taronga: the animals and the view," she said.

"It really lives up to its nickname of the 'zoo with the view' even more so now."

It's not just patrons enjoying themselves on the new platform - apparently the animals are thrilled to have some company.

"All the animals are quite bemused," Ms McGill said.

"They've never had anyone other than their keepers up at those heights. Seeing everyone walk past is quite new to them."

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