Taronga 
 Conservation 
 Society 

Partnering to Improve Wildlife Outcomes

WIRES committed more then 1.4 million over three-years in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, to support the conservation of two iconic Australian animals – the Platypus and the Plains-wanderer.

The funding reflects WIRES shared commitment with Taronga to improve national wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation outcomes. WIRES delivers and supports national wildlife programs to improve wildlife rehabilitation and conservation outcomes, and Taronga is a national leader in wildlife research and species conservation.

WIRES' funding helped support the opening and operations of the revolutionary new Platypus Rescue HQ at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and provided additional camera technology to monitor critically endangered Plains-wanderers as part of the National Recovery Program. 

The Platypus is an Australian icon and is sadly particularly susceptible to drought and environmental change. Taronga’s Platypus Rescue HQ now provides best-practice rehabilitation facilities increasing statewide rehabilitation capacity and is helping to address knowledge gaps in reproductive biology, species translocation and conservation strategies.

The critically endangered Plains-wanderer has been identified as a native species requiring urgent intervention with less than 1,000 individuals thought to be left in the wild. WIRES' funding has helped Taronga build on their recovery work by supporting ongoing breeding programs, and the continuation of research to better understand the behavioural cues that lead to successful breeding. Taronga’s conservation breeding program forms part of the National Species Recovery Program which is delivered in collaboration with partners across NSW and Victoria.

Read more about the opening of the Platypus Research Facility that can now house up to 65 injured or displaced Platypuses.

Image supplied by Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Rick Stevens