Taronga Conservation Society Australia and Taylor welcomed Leslie McLeod, a Yuin, Dharawal and Ngarigo Custodian and loreman to lead the smoking ceremony at the Upper Australia Precinct. The cultural tradition of a smoking ceremony is undertaken to cleanse an area, protect a build site, and show our respect to Elders past and present.
On completion, the $11.6 million Upper Australia Precinct will provide zoo visitors with an innovative and immersive wildlife experience that shares Australia’s unique animals, plants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
This development includes a new Koala Exhibit, and upgrades to the existing Nocturnal House and Macropod Walkthrough. Works also comprise a new western pavilion, walkways and amenities, back-of-house and infrastructure upgrades, landscaping and demolition of the Avian Wetland Ponds as well as partial demolition of the Nocturnal House and Ropes Course.
The new development is the latest of a range of refurbishment and live environment projects Taylor has undertaken, including Taronga’s Institute of Science and Learning and the Wildlife Retreat at Taronga.
Team Taylor look forward to bringing this development to life – thank you for a reflective and rewarding morning for all involved.
