How Twilight At Taronga is supporting bushfire-affected animals through live music

Twilight At Taronga returns for its 2020, but this year there’s been a change in tact to support bushfire-affected communities.

The 25th Anniversary of the zoo’s Summer Concert Series kicks off on January 31 and runs through to March 7.

After originally announcing that funds raised from the concert series would go to Taronga Zoo’s ongoing conservation work, the zoo recently revealed it had changed to support the Wildlife Crisis Appeal instead.

Taronga Zoo events manager Rachel John tells TMN that Taronga felt it needed to respond to the devastation cause by Australia’s bushfires.

“Koalas, bats, wallabies, echidnas and other wildlife have all been impacted by the recent bushfires, heat stress and ongoing long-term drought,” she says.

“The Wildlife Crisis Appeal provides funding for these unprecedented numbers of displaced and injured wildlife.

“Throughout this current crisis, Taronga has been involved in a number of emergency response operations, helping to save wildlife from the devastation of the bushfires and droughts by providing emergency shelter, medical care and rehabilitation.”

The lineup is as big as ever this year with artists including Broods, Wolfmother, Pete Murray, Bernard Fanning, Kasey Chambers, Meg Mac, Mavis Staples, James Morrison and Paul Kelly.

“We’re really proud to reach the 25th anniversary and we think this is the strongest line-up to date,” John says.

“There are limited tickets available for some shows, so please come along and experience some of Australia’s best artists at this exceptional location.”

The general message of conservation is still strong with this year’s Twilight At Taronga, and in 2020 the event is also going plastic-free.

“This is a goal we’ve strived towards for many years and we are very proud of what we’ve achieved,” explains John.

“We’ll be even prouder when we have no single-use plastics at all.”

With a growing number of businesses throughout the world moving towards more environmentally conscious models of operating, brand morality is a clear concern among concert-goers; and especially young people.

“The awareness is so much greater and is growing all the time,” John adds.

“We want to keep adding to that conversation to educate and do what we can, so yes I think the conservation message is resonating better than ever before.”

John has also put out a call-out. “I’m determined to find a replacement for plastic cable ties.

“If ANYONE has ideas on how to do this then I would love to talk to you.”

Donations to the Wildlife Crisis Appeal can be made at all Twilight at Taronga shows or via the official website.