Project Information
Great Southern Oceans is home to the only leopard seals housed in world zoos. Rescued after being marooned, the animals are now part of vital international research on pack-ice seals and climate change.
Australian Marine Mammal Research Centre (AMMRC)
Taronga Zoo cares for 4,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened.
With a breathtaking view over Sydney harbour, Taronga Zoo’s expansive Great Southern Oceans precinct opened to the public to provide an important introduction to Australia’s marine wildlife.
The 1.2 hectare site features sea lions, fur seals, leopard seals, penguins and pelicans in environments that emulate their natural habitats, and offers spectacular viewing for visitors.
A shallow children’s beach pool in the precinct, with circulating water and waves, also provides a fun space for young visitors to the zoo.
To achieve the natural habitats required, the design developed by Oceanis included sea water and freshwater distribution, treatment, and recycling for the pools, beach, and boardwalks of the precinct.
Sea water is distributed to all the precinct’s marine pools, and returned to the ocean after stringent treatment regimes. A sea water quality monitoring program ensures all returned water meets strict NSW EPA requirements.
Great Southern Oceans is home to the Australian Little Penguin. The Little Penguin has shown declines in NSW and all mainland colonies in the state have become extinct apart from the Manly colony in Sydney Harbour.
This colony was listed as endangered in 1997 with an estimated 35 birds remaining at the time.
Demonstrating the effectiveness of the Great Southern Ocean precinct’s high quality design, penguins are now successfully bred in the precinct and released into safe burrows in the colonies around Sydney Harbour.
Oceanis continues to support Taronga Zoo in its seawater quality monitoring program, assisting its staff to work closely with the NSW EPA in meeting strict water quality regulations.
Image: Jackson Teece
