Taronga Western Plains Zoo is excited to announce the commencement of construction on a new children's playground that will see the current area transformed into a wild safari adventure playground over the coming months. The playground has been designed with an African theme in mind and will feature various timber climbing structures, balancing beams, a timber hut and sand pit, bridges, percussion instruments, a safari jeep and animal sculptures such as hippopotamus, rhinoceros and giraffe. The new playground will offer visitors to the Zoo a place where children can explore and learn about African animals in a fun, hands on environment - a place where their imagination can run wild. "This is an exciting time for the Zoo as the playground will be a fantastic addition to what we already have on offer, and is sure to be a big hit with families. When complete, there will be nothing quite like it in the region," said Taronga Western Plains Zoo General Manager, Matthew Fuller. "The new playground is the first project to get underway in the redevelopment of the Zoo's front entry precinct scheduled for this year. We are really looking forward to seeing the finished product, as it will greatly complement the work we have planned for this area." During the construction period, visitors to the Zoo will be able to access existing play equipment in the Children's Playground Area, with completion of the new facility scheduled for July 2009. Further redevelopment of the entry precinct will commence later in the year. "At present contractors are also working on the Zoo's second Tasmanian Devil breeding complex, which will hopefully be completed in the coming months, ready to house offspring from our current breeding group," said Matt. Taronga Western Plains Zoo will be open throughout the construction period, with alternate arrangements in place to service visitor requirements. Taronga Western Plains Zoo is open everyday from 9am - 4pm (exit gates close at 5pm), for more information contact 6881 1400 or visit www.taronga.org.au.