Officially opened on October 7th, 1916, the Taronga Zoo is located on the north shore of Sydney Harbour in Mosman and is managed by the Zoological Parks Board of NSW under the trading name, "Taronga Conservation Society". The Society also manages the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

It is a leading example of a progressive modern day zoo where the focus has shifted fundamentally from displaying and housing animals in small cages and enclosures as curiosities for humans to observe, to ensuring their long-term survival in more appropriate space and environment. Increased and better educated staff, research programs and international coordination with other similar establishments has created a more pleasurable experience for both the animals and the visiting public.

The zoo is home to native and exotic animals and is spread over 21 hectares of pristine harbour foreshore offering spectacular views of the city skyline, the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
'Taronga' is an Aboriginal word meaning beautiful view and Taronga Zoo certainly fits the description.
It is home to many rare indigenous species and such traditional favourites as lions, elephants and giraffes. It is easily accessible by ferry from Circular Quay and a you can take a cable car from the Taronga wharf up to the zoo entrance and back.

It is divided into eight zoo-geographic regions, and is home to over 2,600 animals, making it one of the largest of its kind.

History
The first public zoo in New South Wales opened in 1884 at Billy Goat Swamp in Moore Park, on a site now occupied by Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Girls High School. Inspired by a 1908 visit to the Hamburg Zoo, the secretary of the zoo, Albert Sherbourne Le Souef, envisioned a new zoo based on the bar-less concept. After realising that the Moore Park site was too small, the NSW Government granted 43 acres (17 ha) of land north of Sydney Harbour. A further 9 acres (3.6 ha) were later granted in 1916.


Later additions and changes
A critical review in 1967 led to a new emphasis on scientific conservation, education and preservation. New exhibits were built starting with the Platypus and Nocturnal Houses, waterfowl ponds and walkthrough Rainforest Aviary. A Veterinary Quarantine Centre was built as was an Education Centre (funded by the Department of Education). Previous attractions such as elephant rides, miniature trains, monkey circus and merry-go-round gave way to educational facilities such as Friendship Farm and Seal theatre.

In the mid-1980s, a cable car was installed that allows visitors to view the zoo and Sydney Harbour. It runs from the bottom of the park close to the ferry wharf, and transports passengers to the top end of the zoo.

2000 Masterplan
In 2000, TCSA commenced a 12-year $250 million master plan, the majority of which is being spent at Taronga Zoo. The first major master plan item was the Backyard to Bush precinct. Under the plan, the Zoo received five Asian elephants from the Thailand Zoological Park Organisation for breeding purposes, education, long-term research and involvement of conservation programs. The plan has met opposition from environmental activists in Thailand, who blockaded the trucks hauling the elephants to Bangkok International Airport for their flight on June 5, 2006.[3] The elephants along with other Asian rain forest specimens are housed in the "Wild Asia" precinct which opened in 2006 and aims to immerse visitors in an Asian rain forest environment.

A marine section, Great Southern Oceans, opened in April 2008.