Two Australian zoos run by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales (ZPB) have recently won accolades in the 2005 NSW Tourism Awards.

Taronga Zoo in Sydney took the award for Tourism Retailing, while Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo won the award for Unique Accommodation.

Taronga's retail focus is unique wildlife merchandise, the purchase of which directly contributes to conservation. The zoo shops' positioning and branding draws on this connection and firmly plants retail as an essential part of the zoo experience.

Zoofari Lodge at Western Plains Zoo, meanwhile, offers an overnight experience including guided tours which provide the opportunity to learn more about the zoo's breeding programs, wildlife conservation and education.

Together the zoos welcome more than 1.4million visitors every year.

Taronga Zoo has also welcomed the recent news that eight elephants waiting in Thailand in a quarantine centre have received conditional approval to be sent to Taronga and Melbourne Zoos to commence a Conservation Breeding Programme.

The federal environment minister, Senator Ian Campbell, endorsed the zoos' plans in July, following an intensive review of the programme which included zoo support to conservation measures for wild elephants in Thailand.

However, animal activist groups had conducted a campaign against the programme and lodged a legal appeal against the issuing of importation permits for the elephants.

Taronga Zoo director and CEO, Guy Cooper, said: "Our program has been critically evaluated by both the Federal Government and international experts, and found to be a viable and important contribution towards the conservation of this magnificent, but sadly endangered species.”

"I welcome the interim decision – which takes us closer to a decision in favour of these elephants which we hope will find a great home here where they can be part of a vital regional breeding program." Details: www.zoo.nsw.gov.au