Ecosystem resilience is an ecosystem’s ability to resist disturbances such as fires, storms, or pollution and recover to its original state. Taronga’s work extends far beyond habitat restoration, encompassing innovative research programs that strengthen the ability of wildlife and ecosystems to withstand and recover from disturbance.
Ecosystem resilience is an ecosystem’s ability to resist disturbances such as fires, storms, or pollution and recover to its original state. Taronga’s work extends far beyond habitat restoration, encompassing innovative research programs that strengthen the ability of wildlife and ecosystems to withstand and recover from disturbance.
NSW climate projections and human activity are increasing risks to ecosystems and wildlife.
Taronga’s scientists are undertaking in-depth studies on the ecology and social interactions of dingoes, their interactions with the human environment and their role as an apex predator in the ecosystem. To improve our understanding of dingo behaviour for management, our scientists are developing scent-based and test non-lethal dingo management tools to develop a framework for coexistence with dingoes.
Beyond Australia, Taronga supports practical, community driven solutions to human–wildlife conflict, where painting eye patterns on cattle deters lion and leopard attacks, reducing retaliatory killings and supporting coexistence in African landscapes.
Taronga’s scientists are tracking marine turtles in NSW to understand their movement patterns and protect critical refuge for threatened species like Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles.
Taronga is collaborating with partners to research and restore marine habitats, support coastal wildlife population such as Little Penguins and fur seals and use science and public engagement to help NSW’s marine ecosystems become healthier and more resilient.
Taronga is transforming landscapes by rewilding thousands of hectares, planting up to one million seedlings, and creating climate‑resilient sanctuaries that support long‑term ecological stability for threatened species including koalas, Regent Honeyeaters and Spotted‑tail Quolls.
Taronga has purchased its first 3,050 hectare site on the Northwest Slopes of NSW – it’s 100 times larger than Taronga Zoo Sydney.
These new insights into where and how marine turtles are using NSW habitats are vital. These threatened species act as sentinels, revealing how our marine ecosystems are responding to sea surface temperatures that are rising 2-3 times faster than the global average.
With marine turtles gradually extending their distribution to southern NSW, identifying biologically important areas helps us protect their habitats more effectively and reduce the frequency of stranding events.
Dr Jo Day
Conservation Biologist
Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Feb 11, 2026
A juvenile Loggerhead Turtle tagged with a satellite tracker has been released into the Eastern Australia Current off Lord Howe Island – a critical habitat for endangered turtle species.
June 08, 2022
Can you tell your cats from your dingoes? Your wallabies from your wallaroos? Then Dingo? Bingo! is your chance to identify dingoes (and other wildlife) in photos and help scientists better understand and manage dingo populations in particular.
July 11, 2018
The i-cow project involves painting eyes on the rear of cows in Botswana in an attempt to reduce the risk of them being attacked by leopards and lions, and therefore also reduce conflict between predators and farmers. The project will test the theory that ambush predators like lions, can be tricked into thinking they have been seen by their prey and abandon the hunt. Dr Neil Jordan, a Conservation biologist at Taronga Western Plains Zoo is currently on the ground in Botswana testing this theory.
