Taronga Talks
Working at Taronga Zoo is more than just a job – for us Taronga means family. From Sydney to Dubbo to beyond, Taronga’s people all have amazing untold Zoo stories that will touch your heart and open your eyes.
Taronga Talks
Chasing Dreams with Jordie Michelmore
Looking after the world’s fastest mammal, one of the world’s slowest animals and Africa’s most efficient predator is all in a day’s work for Taronga Western Plains Zoo Keeper Jordie Michelmore. Having joined Taronga Zoo’s ‘Youth at the Zoo’ program (YATZ) at 14 years-old, Jordie’s passion for animals keeps her chasing every opportunity – from relocating to Dubbo to look after Cheetahs, Galapagos Tortoise and African Wild Dog, to working with the Northern Rangelands Trust in Kenya to protect endangered wildlife.
"To go from volunteering as a little YATZ kid at 14 to now working as a Keeper… it’s such a special community to be a part of. I’ve met some of the most amazing people at both zoos… they’re the most passionate, driven people and the things they’re all individually doing for wildlife and conservation is really inspiring."