Taronga is open every day of the year, including Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years Day, making the Zoo one of the few places open during the entire holiday season.

Christmas Day is a popular time at the Zoo, particularly for those who don’t celebrate Christmas but want to enjoy a remarkable wildlife experience. 

 The whole Zoo operates as usual so the animal encounters and keeper talks all take place as normal, including the fantastic Seal and Bird Shows. 

 Senior Giraffe Keeper, Jimmy Sanders, said: “I like working Christmas day, my family are all inter-state and I class these animals as part of my family so it’s lovely to come in and spend Christmas day with them.

“Despite it being Christmas Day, the Zoo feels like a hive of activity, so it is a good time to come if you’ve got nothing else to do for that day.

 “There are also lots of activities going on around the Zoo. We try and spoil the animals a little bit over Christmas so we give them enrichment items that are Christmas-themed like Christmas tree shaped ice blocks. It’s very relaxed and people enjoy discovering the animals, the great Harbour Views and Taronga’s lovely bushland setting.”