Taronga Wild! Rhinos gala fundraising ausction

On 2 February, a herd of 125 wildly colourful, life-sized rhino and rhino calf sculptures, all adorned with one-off designs by renowned contemporary and urban artists, descended on the streets of Sydney and Regional NSW.

The colourful cavalcade of rhinos form part of a six week long, large-scale public art exhibition designed to raise vital funds for Taronga Zoo’s rhino breeding and conservation program, as well as increase awareness of the escalating threat that faces the world's dwindling rhino population. While rhinos might look tough, the Black Rhino population has decreased by 97.6 per cent since 1960 and they remain critically endangered. The Taronga Zoo Wild! Rhinos project has brought together a diverse selection of noted artists, designers and school students who have used their considerable artistic talents to customise each sculpture and help promote the cause of rhino conservation.

From Saturday 10 May until 12 noon on Wednesday 14 May the public can head down to The Star in Pyrmont for their very own urban safari, where 45 of the rhinos will be on display together. Then, on Wednesday 14 of May, the rhinos are set to start the next part of their mission at a special fundraising auction at The Star in Pyrmont. The auction provides a unique opportunity for members of the public to purchase original artworks from these leading Australian artists, while contributing much-needed funds to rhino conservation.

To purchase tickets for the auction go to www.tarongawildrhinos.org.au