Environment Minister Robyn Parker and Dubbo MP Troy Grant today congratulated Taronga and Taronga Western Plains Zoos’ for their wins at the Australian Tourism Awards.Ms Parker said Taronga Zoo took out the prestigious title of Major Tourist Attractions Award while Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo won the Tourist Attractions Award.“These accolades were a major win for wildlife conservation and recognition for the Zoo’s dedicated staff that inspire visitors to care for wildlife every day,” Ms Parker said.“For both Zoos to receive such prominent national recognition is a great honour and further validates the power of wildlife to inspire people of all ages.“Modern zoos work hard to contribute to local and worldwide conservation efforts and we’re proud of the innovations and initiatives the Zoos have implemented over the past year that have been recognised at these important industry awards.“Last year Taronga Zoo attracted a record of more than 440,000 visitors in three months with the Dinosaurs in the Wild exhibition and highlighted the importance of wildlife conservation and individual action under its new banner, “For the Wild”.“Taronga Zoo recently opened the spectacular Lemur Forest Adventure and launched the Taronga Wild! Rhinos community project, where 125 beautifully decorated Rhino sculptures have been installed across Sydney and regional NSW to inspire rhino conservation through art.”Mr Grant said Taronga Western Plains Zoo enjoyed success from the opening of an overnight immersive bush camping experience, Billabong Camp, and won the Inland NSW Tourism Award for the second time in a row.“For Taronga Western Plains Zoo it is an equally exciting year ahead as it commences a $10 million redevelopment of the site,” Mr Grant said.