Taronga Conservation Society

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Taronga Conservation Society Australia is the not‑for‑profit government agency that operates Taronga Zoo Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, focusing on wildlife conservation, research, education, and visitor experiences.

Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Owned by Government of New South Wales

About Taronga Conservation Society

Taronga Conservation Society Australia is a not‑for‑profit organization that operates Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. As a government‑owned conservation society, it focuses on wildlife conservation, breeding programs for endangered species, scientific research, and education, alongside providing zoo visits, behind‑the‑scenes experiences, overnight stays (such as Roar & Snore, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, and Zoofari Lodge), events, and school programs. Revenue from tickets, memberships, donations, and experiences is reinvested into animal care, habitat maintenance, and conservation projects in Australia and overseas.

A Taronga Conservation Society charge may appear on your bank or card statement when you purchase zoo entry tickets (online or at the gate), annual Zoo Friends membership, special experiences (animal encounters, keeper talks, behind‑the‑scenes tours), parking, food and beverage, gift shop items, or accommodation packages. Charges can also result from online donations, animal adoptions, gift vouchers, school or group bookings, or corporate events. In some cases, you may see a temporary authorization hold when you book online, update a saved card, or guarantee a reservation; this will usually appear as a pending amount and then either convert to the final charge or drop off after a few days.

To verify a Taronga charge, start by checking your recent visit dates, online bookings at taronga.org.au, email confirmations, and any tickets or vouchers purchased for family members. Look for descriptors such as “TARONGA CONS SOC”, “TARONGA ZOO MOSMAN”, or “TARONGA DUBBO” on your statement, and match the amount to ticket prices, memberships, or packages you bought. If you still have questions, contact Taronga’s Guest Services via the contact form on taronga.org.au or by calling Taronga Zoo Sydney on +61 2 9969 2777 (during business hours), keeping your booking reference, membership number, or receipt handy so they can locate your transaction and resolve billing issues, refund queries, or duplicate charges.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Taronga Conservation Society.

  1. TARONGA CONSERVATION S MOSMAN AUS

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a charge from Taronga Conservation Society on my statement when I recently visited the zoo?

Most Taronga Conservation Society charges relate to zoo entry tickets, parking, food and beverage, or purchases at the gift shop during your visit to Taronga Zoo Sydney (Mosman) or Taronga Western Plains Zoo (Dubbo). If you bought tickets online, the charge may have been processed on the day of purchase rather than the day you visited. Check your email for booking confirmations from taronga.org.au and compare the total amounts (including any booking or card fees) to the charge on your statement.

What are common amounts Taronga Conservation Society charges for tickets and memberships?

As of 2024, general admission day tickets for Taronga Zoo Sydney typically range roughly from AUD $40–$60 per adult and AUD $20–$35 per child, depending on promotions, packages, and whether they were purchased online. Annual Zoo Friends memberships often start around AUD $130–$150 for an adult, with family and concession options available at different price points. Accommodation experiences (Roar & Snore, Wildlife Retreat, Zoofari Lodge) and special encounters can be significantly higher and often appear as larger, bundled charges. For the most up‑to‑date pricing, refer to the “Tickets & Passes” and “Stay Overnight” sections on taronga.org.au.

Why is there a small or pending Taronga Conservation Society charge on my card?

A small or pending charge can occur when Taronga verifies your card details for an online booking, membership renewal, or accommodation reservation guarantee. This is usually an authorization hold placed by your bank to confirm the card is valid and has sufficient funds. The pending amount should either convert to the final confirmed booking amount or disappear within a few business days if the authorization is not used. If a pending charge remains for more than a week, contact your bank and, if needed, Taronga Guest Services with a screenshot of the transaction.

How do I cancel or change my Taronga Zoo Friends membership so I don’t get charged again?

Zoo Friends memberships are typically set up for a fixed term (usually 12 months) and do not auto‑renew by default unless you have specifically opted into recurring payments. To cancel an upcoming recurring payment or update your details, log into your account via taronga.org.au and visit the Zoo Friends or Membership section, or email the Zoo Friends team using the contact details provided on the site. If you believe you were charged after you intended to stop renewing, contact Taronga with your membership number and transaction date so they can review your account and options.

How can I request a refund or dispute an incorrect Taronga Conservation Society charge?

If you suspect you’ve been overcharged, charged twice, or billed for a booking you did not use, gather your booking confirmation, receipts, and screenshots of your bank statement before contacting Taronga. Use the online contact form at taronga.org.au (select the option related to bookings or payments) or call +61 2 9969 2777 for Taronga Zoo Sydney and ask to speak with Guest Services or Bookings. Refunds are assessed under Taronga’s terms and conditions, which may limit refunds for late cancellations, no‑shows, or non‑refundable accommodation packages, but staff can explain what is possible in your specific case.

I see a large Taronga Conservation Society charge—could this be for accommodation or a special experience?

Yes, higher‑value charges—often several hundred dollars or more—are usually linked to overnight stays (Roar & Snore, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, or Zoofari Lodge in Dubbo), group bookings, or premium animal encounters and events. These bookings are typically pre‑paid at the time of reservation, so the charge may appear days or weeks before your actual stay or experience date. Check your email for accommodation or experience confirmation from taronga.org.au, which will list the full package price and inclusions.

How do I confirm whether a Taronga donation or animal adoption is what I’m being charged for?

Donations, symbolic animal adoptions, and fundraising contributions made via taronga.org.au or at the zoo will appear as Taronga Conservation Society charges. Look for donation or adoption receipts in your email, including from recent fundraising campaigns you may have supported, and match the exact amount (for example, a round figure like AUD $50, $100, or a set adoption tier) with your statement. If you can’t find a receipt, contact Taronga via the donations or support section of the website and provide the date, amount, and last four digits of the card used so they can locate the donation record.

Who should I contact if I don’t recognize any Taronga Conservation Society charge at all?

If no one in your household recalls purchasing tickets, memberships, donations, or bookings with Taronga, first check whether a family member used your card for an outing, school excursion payment, or gift voucher. If the charge still cannot be identified, contact Taronga Guest Services through the contact form on taronga.org.au or by calling +61 2 9969 2777 and provide the transaction date, amount, and the name on the card so they can search their system. At the same time, alert your bank or card issuer in case the card has been used fraudulently; they can advise you on blocking the card or initiating a dispute if necessary.

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