Taronga Zoo is a zoological park which was established in Mosman on the northern shore of Sydney Harbour in the early part of the 20th century. Its longevity is a fortunate accident, for had the land with its sweeping views of Sydney Harbour been available today, it would doubtless have been redeveloped as an unending sea of apartments by those paying money under the table to get access to it. Fortunately even as rotten a government as we have at the moment wouldn't be able to get away with that considering how widely loved Taronga is, although the patronage levels are less than ideal. It's one of those places that most people love the idea of, even though they rarely go there.

In its early days it was, like many zoos, more in the nature of a "carnival with strange animals". These days, again like many zoos, its emphasis has swung toward conservation, research and education.

The latter part of this gallery contains shots from a single visit in May 2010. I had wanted to return within 12 months but didn't make it back in that time. The earlier images in the gallery will be from a trip in January 2012.