ellaslist Review: How to Move a Zoo Exhibition At Museum of Sydney

At various stages of our lives, we move home. I’ve counted over a dozen moves personally from when I first left home, to purchasing my first home, moving interstate, and back again. To be honest, no matter how small or large the move is, the amount of organisation and preparation that goes into it takes hour upon hour of careful planning, not to mention the endless hours of packing.

So when I heard about the Museum of Sydney’s latest exhibition, How to Move a Zoo, I thought to myself, how on earth does one relocate a 4-ton elephant in 1916?!

Operation Noah’s Ark

In 1916, over the course of six months, Sydney witnessed a truly spectacular spectacle: the relocation of the zoo animals from Moore Park to the spacious new Taronga Zoological Park. Hundreds of animals were shepherded through the city streets at night or in the early hours of the morning before being ferried across the harbour to their new home. The Sydney Harbour Bridge had not yet been built!

As you explore How to Move a Zoo you will fall in love with Jessie’s Journey - the tale of a 4-ton elephant who was too large to be placed in a crate, so was walked through the streets and across tram tracks to her new home. 

The exhibition is filled with amazing stories, photographs, records and accounts of the journey the animals took from Moore Park and the inspiring vision of the director, Albert Sherbourne Le Souef, who designed the bar-less open-air enclosures of Taronga.

Explorers Welcome

How to Move a Zoo really does welcome even the youngest wannabe Zookeepers by incorporating an area where kids can get involved and explore a multi-sensory play zone, filled with animal displays begging to be played with, and a fully interactive multimedia backdrop where kids can watch, touch and enjoy the journeys that various animals took. 

For those that are looking for a creative outlet to let their inner animal ‘spirit’ loose, visit the fun How to Move a Zoo craft area. Kids can go wild creating their very own animal souvenir to take home. 

Want More?

If young explorers are still busting with energy, your How to Move a Zoo ticket also gives you access to the entire Museum of Sydney, so take the opportunity and explore the rest of the fascinating museum. 

You can also visit Sydney Living Museums for more kids activities inspired by the How to Move a Zoo exhibition - it’s packed with craft ideas, fun virtual wallpapers and backgrounds, online puzzles and much, much more to keep even the youngest kids entertained and wanting more. 

Plus, this summer you can join Sydney Living Museums and save 20% off membership. Offer available until 31 January 2022. You can redeem your Discover NSW vouchers against all Sydney Living Museums membership types too!

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A Call To The Wild At Sydney Zoo
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