External link Taronga Zoo Taronga Zoo's Parent sponsorship program began in 1977 after a visitor asked how they could support the maintenance of animals at the zoo. Donations for the better known species tend to far outstrip the lesser knowns, such as Acadia. The spider monkey is one of the highest sponsored animals at the zoo, but its relative, the De Brazza monkey, gets significantly less support. Tigers are the most popular choice, according to Taronga's business development manager, Liz Argent. The most popular animals sponsored are your mega-fauna animals, elephants, giraffes and lions.
People know they are at the zoo, they're clearly visible and they attract the most support.
Those commonly overlooked are birds, reptiles and less well known marsupials. The common tree shrew, a rat like mammal, native to Asia, has no sponsors. She said there may also be a fear factor stopping people from sponsoring creatures like snakes and lizards. Interestingly, Ms Argent said one or two sponsorships of the Macaw were given as wedding presents, as the birds are fiercely monogamous.