Native wildlife experience opens as Sydney’s Taronga Zoo

Just in time for the school holidays, Sydney’s Taronga Zoo has opened Nura Diya Australia, a new native wildlife experience where visitors can walk among kangaroos and wallabies, come paw-to-paw with dingoes and see koalas up close along treetops.

Opening the attraction this week, NSW Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe said that the precinct is an inspiring way for guests to be moved by the beauty and diversity of Australian wildlife and the habitats they call home, commenting “this precinct offers a unique opportunity to experience in close proximity some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife right in the heart of Sydney, including dingoes which have been returned to Taronga Zoo for the first time in 14 years.

“Australia is home to extraordinary wildlife and landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else on earth, and … meeting these species face to face is an important way for Australians to forge lifelong connections with wildlife, and to understand on a deeper level what’s at risk if we don’t take action.”

The $16 million precinct will ultimately be home to 270 individual animals from 23 different species across the following landscapes: Buru nura (kangaroo country), Gulamany nura (koala country), Wuragal nura (Dingo Country) and the Nguwing yana night walk – due to open in May.

Explaining that Nura Diya Australia presents powerful storytelling from First Nations artists, Taronga Conservation Society Chief Executive, Cameron Kerr stated “the Nura Diya Australia journey starts as guests walk through two impressive 4.5 metre-tall Angophora Bark sculptures created by First Nations artist Jacob Nash and honour the deep connection trees have to Cammeraigal country.

“Trees are fundamental to habitat and the environment, and 198 native trees have been protected and given a new life as part of the habitat across this precinct.

“We are all a part of country, and we can all protect the biodiversity of Australian wildlife and wild places by making simple, sustainable choices.”

The name Nura Diya means ‘this country’.

The Zoo has also reopened its Wild Ropes course.

Images: Dingoes (top) and a wallaby (below) at Taronga Zoo's new Nura Diya Australia native wildlife experience. Credit: Taronga Zoo.