Taronga Zoo has invited mothers to visit the Zoo for free this Mothers Day, May 10 2009.

As part of Taronga’s celebrations acknowledging the 100 millionth visitor milestone achieved earlier this year, it was decided to extend the Zoos’ thanks to the community with the special Mothers Day offer in which mums enter free when they pay for one of their children to visit the zoo with them.

The Zoos’ Director, Guy Cooper, said: “We wanted to share with our extended families of supporters our very successful year among our wild families which has seen Meerkat pups, a Red Panda Cub and a rare Australian Sea-lion born in our conservation programs.

“We are very proud to share the Zoo’s successes with our community and also to celebrate Mothers Day by offering a special opportunity for mothers to visit the zoo at no cost.”

“As well as Nala, the female Australian Sea-lion pup, which is beginning to master the art of swimming under the watchful eye of her mum, ‘Kira’, ‘Pemba’ the Red Panda cub is exploring trees of the Red Panda forest.  Pemba is the 44th Red Panda cub to be born at Taronga as part of the Zoo’s breeding program late last year.

The Red Panda’s next door neighbours, the Zoo’s feisty Meerkat group have also welcomed two young pups, named ‘Zanzibar’ and ‘Nairobi’. They are developing quickly in their African-themed Meerkat Desert and are now regularly seen practicing sentry duty as they try to stand on their hind legs and look out for aerial predators to warn the group.

As part of the Mother’s Day celebrations, Taronga is also offering a truly unique gift where people can adopt any animal within the zoo. Zoo Parent is the Zoo’s sponsorship program where you can adopt mums favourite animal, whether it be feathered, furred or scaled!

This offer is only valid for Mothers Day, May 10 2009.