ASIAN ELEPHANT FACTS

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1 ASIAN ELEPHANT FACTS Asian Elephants are the largest land animals in South East Asia. Their favourite foods are leaves, roots and especially bananas. Their tusks are important for stripping bark off trees, digging for roots and fighting rival elephants. Unfortunately, poachers hunt elephants for their tusks to sell as ivory trinkets and trophies. Asian Elephants were once very common, but in the last 70 years their numbers have reduced by over 75 per cent. The natural forest habitat of elephants in Sumatra has shrunk rapidly as a result of deforestation for logging, palm oil plantations and agriculture. Fun fact: An elephant s trunk alone contains over 40,000 muscles. Our Centenary Commitment to the Asian Elephant Taronga s breeding program, in partnership with other zoos, is a vital part of the international conservation effort for this endangered species. Taronga will continue to support wild elephants in Thailand and Indonesia by funding wildlife protection rangers and elephant guard towers. Taronga is committed to combating the global illegal wildlife trade issue through its Wildlife Witness app that allows users to report illegal wildlife trade. We also support a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose the criminal networks within South East Asia.

2 SUMATRAN RHINO FACTS SUMATRA Sumatran Rhinos are the smallest and hairiest of all the rhino species and the closest living relative of the Woolly Rhino that lived during the ice age. They love to spend their time wallowing in mud holes and licking salt from natural mineral springs and rocks. The horn is made from a protein called keratin, the same substance as hair and fingernails. Unfortunately, many people believe this horn can be used as medicine, causing the rhinos to be illegally poached. This, combined with habitat loss has caused the Sumatran Rhino to become critically endangered. Taronga actively supports monitoring and anti-poaching patrols in their valuable natural habitat, removing snares, providing veterinary treatment and rescuing at-risk rhinos, moving them to safer areas. Fun fact: The rhino s armor-like skin is nearly 2cm thick. Our Centenary Commitment to the SUMATRAN RHINO Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). Our vets, pathologists, reproductive biologists and tourism staff are actively engaged in projects with the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. We also support Rhino Protection Units to prevent and prosecute wildlife criminals. AUSTRALIA CRITCALLY

3 SUMATRAN TIGER FACTS The presence of the Sumatran Tiger is an important indicator of a forest s biodiversity. Protecting tigers and their habitat means many other species benefit, including rhinos, orangutans, elephants and humans. Rainforests in Sumatra are being cleared to make way for unsustainable palm oil plantations. With less than 400 of these incredible animals left in the wild, Taronga s population of Sumatran Tigers provides vital insurance against declines in the wild. Taronga also supports projects in habitat protection, habitat regeneration and the prevention of illegal trading of tigers and tiger products. AUSTRALIA CRITCALLY Fun fact: Sumatran Tigers are one of the only big cats that love being in water. Our Centenary Commitment to the SUMATRAN TIGER Taronga supports Wildlife Protection Units in Sumatra to protect Sumatran Tigers and conserve their natural habitat. We also are part of an international breeding program to grow the Sumatran Tiger population.

4 SUN BEAR FACTS Sun Bears are the smallest of all the bears in the world and get their name from the yellow, sun shaped pattern on their chest. They are the only truly tropical bear, living in beautiful rainforests in South East Asia. Sadly, they are threatened due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade for the pet industry, use in gourmet cuisine and traditional medicine. The Sun Bear and their close relatives, the Moon Bear are being kept in farms in order to extract a bodily fluid called bile, which many people believe can be used as medicine. In order for these beautiful animals to thrive in the wild, it is important to protect our rainforests and avoid purchasing food or medicines that may contain Sun Bear products. Fun fact: Sun Bears have a 25cm long tongue, which helps them to lick honey out of beehives! Our Centenary Commitment to the SUN BEAR Taronga has committed to long-term support of Wildlife Protection Units in the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem, central Sumatra. This has been identified as one of 20 critical habitats for survival of the Sun Bear, Asian Elephant, Sumatran Tiger and Sumatran Rhino. Taronga is committed to combating the global illegal wildlife trade issue through its Wildlife Witness app that helps you to report wildlife trade. We also support a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose the criminal networks within South East Asia.

5 Photo: Save Vietnam s Wildlife PANGOLIN FACTS Pangolins are fascinating and bizarre mammals covered in tough, overlapping scales. They love to eat ants and termites using an extraordinarily long, sticky tongue and quickly roll themselves up into a tight ball when threatened. Poaching for illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss has made two pangolin species become critically endangered and the others threatened. Many people believe that the Pangolin s scales and blood can be used as medicine and their meat is considered a delicacy, which has resulted in Pangolins becoming one of the most trafficked animals in the world. Fun fact: Pangolin scales have sharp edges, which can slice through a predator when attacked. Our Centenary Commitment to the PANGOLIN Taronga supports TRAFFIC, a global wildlife monitoring network that works to investigate and stop illegal wildlife trade of animals like the striking Pangolin. We ve also created Wildlife Witness an app to report illegal wildlife trade and help fund a TRAFFIC analyst to use this data to expose the criminal networks within South East Asia. CRITICALLY

6 Photo: Dean Ingwerson REGENT HONEYEATER FACTS The Regent Honeyeater is a beautiful native Australian bird with striking black and yellow scalloping on its breast and back. They make a beautiful quiet, flute-like, metallic ringing call. Feeding mainly on the flower nectar of a select few species of iron bark eucalypt trees, both the trees and the birds rely on each other for survival. Heavy clearing of ironbark forests along the eastern ranges of Australia over the last 100 years has left only small pockets of forest for Regent Honeyeaters to feed on. Once seen in flocks of hundreds, these beautiful birds are now critically endangered and rarely seen. Habitat restoration of the ironbark forest is needed to help Regent Honeyeaters recover to their original numbers. CRITICALLY Fun fact: Regent Honeyeater eggs are speckled with small purple-red and violet-grey markings. Our Centenary Commitment to the REGENT HONEYEATER Almost 200 Regent Honeyeaters bred at Taronga Zoo have been released into the wild at Mt Chiltern, Victoria. Successful wild breeding has already been recorded and each year more than 60 Taronga staff, students and volunteers head to Capertee Valley (NSW) to plant trees to support these birds. Taronga is extending its Regent Honeyeater breeding program to Dubbo so more birds can be bred and released each year.

7 PLATYPUS FACTS The elusive Platypus is a unique egg-laying monotreme with an amazing ability to swim and dive in rivers and streams. It is the state animal of NSW and the Taronga Zoo emblem. The biggest threats to the Platypus are the loss of habitat, pollution of waterways, predation by invasive species and by-catch in nets and traps. Taronga supports platypus conservation in collaboration with the Australian Platypus Conservancy by investigating alternatives to yabby traps to reduce accidental catch of this iconic species. Fun fact: The back foot ankle spur of a male Platypus contains venom that is powerful enough to kill small animals. least concern Our Centenary Commitment to the PLATYPUS In partnership with the Australian Platypus Conservancy, Taronga supports a research program investigating and promoting alternatives to reduce the capture of Platypus through yabby trapping a favourite Australian pastime. Taronga also runs Project Platypus, a program designed to empower school children to become Platypus advocates by raising awareness, and helping their families and communities change their attitudes and behaviours towards their local environment.

8 GREATER BILBY FACTS This endearing marsupial has huge rabbit-like ears, beautiful fluffy, silky grey fur and a long snout with a slender tongue. Living in hot climates, bilbies are nocturnal to avoid the heat of the day and they keep cool in spiral shaped burrows underground. Luckily, the Bilby has a backward facing pouch so it doesn t fill with soil while it digs. Once very common in many habitats, this iconic mammal is now threatened due to loss of habitat, competition with introduced species and predation, particularly by cats, foxes and dingoes. Trees are an important part of bilby habitat. You can help by choosing FSC paper products. Fun fact: Bilbies spread important fungi, which help plants absorb nutrients. VULNERABLE Our Centenary Commitment to the greater bilby Taronga funded the development of the National Bilby Recovery Plan in We are now working with wild sanctuaries and other zoos to breed, release and protect this threatened species. Taronga is extending its Greater Bilby breeding program to Dubbo so more bilbies can be bred and released each year.

9 MARINE TURTLE FACTS Marine Turtles have played a vital role in maintaining the health of the world s oceans for more than 100 million years, including maintaining the health of sea grass beds and coral reefs. Many species of Marine Turtle love to eat jelly fish. However, they often mistake people s plastic rubbish for food. Each year Taronga s Wildlife Hospital treats many marine turtles suffering blocked intestines after swallowing plastics such as shopping bags, balloons and bottle tops. Over 75% of the rubbish floating in the ocean is plastic. Your actions can help turtles and many other marine animals simply choose re-usable shopping bags and reduce your use of single plastic items to keep our oceans plastic free. Fun fact: The largest Leatherback Turtle recorded weighed 916kg! Our Centenary Commitment to MARINE TURTLES Taronga s Wildlife Hospital will continue to treat and rehabilitate injured marine turtles and increase our understanding of their behaviour by tracking and monitoring them after they are released through our satellite tracking program. Taronga is committed to inspiring our guests to become ocean defenders by choosing re-usable shopping bags to keep our oceans plastic free! VULNERABLE CRITICALLY

10 CorROBOREE FROG FACTS Corroboree Frogs are well known both for their striking black and yellow appearance and for their alarming population decline. Found only in a small area of the beautiful Kosciuszko National Park and adjacent ranges, these little amphibians need our help now more than ever. A deadly fungus called Chytrid has spread through these once abundant frogs. It is believed that global warming has allowed other species of frogs carrying the disease to move into Corroboree Frog habitat that was once too cold for them. Taronga Zoo is involved in a National Recovery Program to help save this species by developing a large breeding population and releasing hundreds of frogs and thousands of eggs into the wild. Fun fact: Male Corroboree Frogs act as guards after the females lay the eggs in moss. CRITICALLY Our Centenary Commitment to the CORROBOREE FROG Taronga is committed to the long-term involvement in the National Recovery Program to help save this striking frog. Our Zoo Keepers and experts maintain a large conservation breeding population. Taronga has successfully released hundreds of frogs and thousands of eggs to prevent the extinction of this species and increase the wild population.