Animal ethics

Dignity and respect for wildlife

Inherent within our commitment to conservation and animal welfare is caring for and portraying wildlife with the greatest dignity and respect, whilst delivering engaging guest experiences.

Taronga believes that all individuals and species have intrinsic value and should be treated accordingly. We believe it is a privilege to care for the amazing wildlife we have at Taronga’s zoos and aim to present wildlife with context about its homeland, habitat, cultural significance and connections to people, place and stories.

Criteria for ethical wildlife care

To support our philosophy, Taronga has developed five criteria to ensure all animals in our care are treated and portrayed with dignity and respect. These are: 

Taronga presents wildlife in thoughtfully designed spaces inspired by nature that provide for the opportunity to undertake behaviours specific to their life history.
Taronga aims to engender awe, admiration, wonderment for wildlife and recognises the essence of the species.
Taronga wildlife connections support the delivery of Taronga’s conservation and education objectives.
Taronga strives to empower wildlife through the incorporation of choice (or agency) in their daily lives and avoids portraying human superiority (or dominion) over wildlife.
Wildlife connections are designed to be a positive experience for both wildlife as well as guests.

Ethical encounters

In our urban environments we are increasingly living separate from nature and wildlife, much of which is at risk of extinction because of factors like climate change and human development. An experience in nature or an interaction with wildlife has the potential to expand our understanding of a species and inspire us to take action to support its existence. 

Modern conservation zoos like Taronga offer the opportunity for members of the public to connect with wildlife and have meaningful animal encounters. Our aim is for these encounters to be enjoyable and inspiring for the participant as well as respectful to the animal.

Ethical photography

Photos and videos can be lovely reminders of a special experience and a visit to one of Taronga’s zoos can offer endless opportunities to document amazing animals and an enjoyable day out. At Taronga animal welfare is at our core and we have a responsibility to ensure that the photographs and videos taken at our sites convey respect for our animals. 

This is extremely important because research has shown that some photos of people and wildlife can lead to an increased desire to keep wildlife as pets and to the assumption that the species is not threatened, and even can be harmful to people and wildlife through adverse contact. Interactions and images that occur in unnatural settings and promote unnatural behaviours can detract from the intended messaging and in extreme cases can even be exploitative to the animal.

Guidelines for encounters & photography

Below are some key factors to a respectful animal encounter and photograph:

The animal has been assessed to be appropriate for an encounter.
The animal is in a natural setting and is carrying out natural behaviours.
The animal, not the participant, is the focus or ‘hero’ of the encounter or photo.
The animal has the choice to participate or move away if they wish.
There animal has a range of food opportunities, beyond that offered during the encounter,
The encounter benefits the species in the wild by delivering a conservation, animal welfare or sustainability message.
The experience is safe for the animal, the participant, and the staff.

Animal Ethics Committee

Taronga has its own Animal Ethics Committee whose role is to ensure that the animals involved in any research or teaching are treated humanely, responsibly and justifiably.

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