Vivid Sydney is lighting up Taronga Zoo for the first time as part of the Zoo’s Centenary celebrations.

Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo includes ten giant animal multimedia light sculptures, representing ten critical species that is committed to protecting. 

The ten species include the Marine Turtle, Platypus, Greater Bilby, Corroboree Frog, and Regent Honeyeater from Australia and the Sun Bear, Asian Elephant, Sumatran Rhino, Sumatran Tiger and Pangolin from Sumatra.

A family looking at marine turtle lighting displays showcased by Vivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo, Australia. (All photos courtesy of Vivid Sydney)

The light sculptures by Ample Projects are among the largest and most technologically advanced lanterns ever featured in Vivid Sydney.

The giant lanterns will be augmented by a supporting cast of creatures including an echidna, chameleon, crocodile, cicadas and even a funnel-web spider, along with 1700 smaller lanterns made by NSW school students as part of Taronga’s Centenary education program.

More than 3,400 primary school students have helped construct mini-lanterns for display. These students are also becoming champions for the wild, studying the threats facing these species and developing ways to support wildlife in their own schools and community.

Visitors will also be welcomed by a grand projection onto the façade of Taronga’s heritage listed main entrance building. The eight-minute long projection show has been created by multi-award winning animators from Ample Projects.

Taronga is a non-profit organization and every ticket and purchase helps support wildlife conservation efforts. 

A father with toddler in his arms points at the Sun Bear lighting sculpture displayed byVivid Sydney at Taronga Zoo.

Some of the giant lanterns displayed:

Sumatran Tiger

The Sumatran Tiger sculpture is named ‘Jumilah’ after Taronga’s female Sumatran Tiger, who gave birth to three cubs in 2011.

The 4.3 meter high sculpture is standing in the long grasses of the Sumatran jungle and features a moving tail, realistic soundscape and animated lighting.

As few as 400 Sumatran Tigers remain in the wild. Taronga is committed to saving the Sumatran Tiger by supporting Wildlife Protection Units in Sumatra to create a safe and secure wild home.

Sun Bear

Sun Bears may be the smallest of all the bears in the world, but this light sculpture stands at a towering 4.3 meters in height.

The sculpture produces realistic sounds of Sun Bears and their habitat and features two levels of animated lighting, which will bring its face and chest to life.

Sun Bears are threatened by the illegal wildlife trade and the loss of their habitat in South East

Asia. Taronga is committed to protecting Sun Bears in the wild by supporting Wildlife Protection Units in Sumatra and by working in partnership with TRAFFIC to combat illegal wildlife trade.

Visitors interacting with the Asian Elephant sculpture dipslayed by Vivid Sydeny at the Taronga Zoo.

Asian Elephant

The Asian Elephant sculpture is 4.3 meters high, 5 meters long and features a mechanical moving head.

The sculpture is made from a custom-designed, batik fabric derived from South East Asia that will be illuminated in multiple shades of blue.

Asian Elephants are endangered as a result of rapidly shrinking habitat, illegal wildlife trade, and human-elephant conflict. Taronga is committed to protecting Asian Elephants by funding wildlife protection units and elephant guard towers, and continuing its successful participation in the global breeding program.

Vivid Sydney (27 May-18 June) is a 23-day festival of light, music and ideas – and is the largest of its kind in the world.

In 2016, Vivid Sydney will run for an additional five nights providing visitors with even more time to experience the spectacular light, music and ideas that illuminate the Harbour City each winter.

The event is in its eighth year and Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.

A father and his child seem to be taking a photo in front of the Sumatran Rhinoceros lighting sculpture at Taronga Zoo.