There are plenty of new faces to see at Taronga Zoo these Easter holidays, including the Zoo’s first ever Bilby joeys, a cheeky Squirrel Monkey baby and an Eastern Bongo Calf.

 Taronga announced the birth of two Bilby joeys in December. The female joeys, named ‘Tanami’ and ‘Tirari, continue to grow in confidence and can often be spotted exploring and burrowing in their exhibit alongside mother, Yajala.

 Taronga Bilby Keeper, Paul Davies said Easter was a great time to learn more about these shy nocturnal marsupials and focus attention on native wildlife instead of their introduced competitor, the rabbit.

 “Although Bilbies share some physical characteristics with rabbits, they have suffered a catastrophic decline over the past 200 years due to introduced predators such as feral foxes and cats, competition with rabbits and habitat degradation,” said Paul.

 Taronga is also celebrating the arrival of an Eastern Bongo calf, one of rarest antelope species in the world. Born in February, the male calf has been named ‘Mshindi’, meaning ‘champion’ in Swahili.

 “Mshindi has already learnt to follow his mother around and is very curious and energetic when exploring his exhibit. Every birth of a healthy calf is important, with fewer than 100 of these gentle animals left in the wild,” said Ungulate Keeper, Tracy Roberts.

 April is also Sydney Water Month at Taronga, featuring fun activities and messages about the benefits to people and wildlife of drinking tap water.

 Visitors can check up on Taronga’s young chimpanzees, Fumo, Sudi and Liwali, and Gorilla baby,  Mjuuku, as well as the cheeky Squirrel Monkey group’s tiny new addition. Keen-eyed visitors may spot the male baby named ‘Julio’ holding onto mum, Lena, like a tiny furry backpack as she leaps around the trees of Amazonia.

 Visitors can also leap into action themselves at Taronga’s new treetop high ropes adventure.

 Wild Ropes gives participants the chance to navigate a series of more than 60 exciting challenges over four courses, including suspension bridges, rope climbs and zip-lines, while enjoying a bird’s eye view of Taronga’s famous harbour views and wildlife.

 Taronga Zoo is open every day of the Easter school holidays. For more information visit www.taronga.org.au