Non-bank lender La Trobe Financial has announced a two-year partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, which operates Taronga Zoo and Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo.
The partnership with Taronga highlights La Trobe Financial’s ESG commitments (including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) by supporting endangered species.
Taronga Zoo, the 100-year-old iconic and heritage-listed zoo located on Sydney Harbour, has a long history of helping wildlife. Through Taronga’s breed and release and rehabilitation programs, more than 50,000 animals have been released back into the wild.
In alignment with its commitment to conservation, Taronga also cares for more than 4,000 animals from over 350 species, many of which are threatened or endangered. Taronga also supports over 60 conservation projects across the globe.
La Trobe Financial CEO Chris Andrews (pictured above left) said the company was pleased to partner with Taronga.
“The work Taronga undertakes behind the scenes is vital and increasing in importance,” Andrews said. “The catastrophic events of 2019 and 2020, including bushfires and floods, had a devastating effect on our community and our wildlife and remind us we all need to play our part to protect the environment. This partnership is a natural addition to our existing ESG program.”
The partnership between La Trobe Financial and Taronga will include support for the critically endangered Australian native bird, the regent honeyeater. Taronga has been a key player in the National Recovery Plan for more than two decades, with more than 300 birds bred and released back into woodland ecosystems, however, more must be done to secure the future of this significant species.
Taronga CEO Cameron Kerr AO (pictured above right), said he believed firmly that everyone had a role to play in securing a future for wildlife and people.
“Over the past few years, we have seen a rapid acceleration in the decline of our environment with events such as the Black Summer bushfires having a devastating impact on animals and ecosystems and reminding us of the urgent need to take action,” Kerr said.
“Good conservation happens in collaboration, which is why partnerships, whether that be with individuals and governments or with organisations like La Trobe Financial are so important in setting a course for the future.”
La Trobe Financial’s partnership with Taronga is the latest facet of its ESG commitments – the non-bank lender is also certified carbon neutral for its Australian operations.
2022 has been a big year for La Trobe Financial – in July it joined the lending panel of Lendi, one of Australia’s largest broker networks. The non-bank lender is also making the most of a resilient and rebounding commercial lending market, which provides plenty of opportunities for brokers.
