Sue's epic love for the zoo is helping animals in need all over the world

Animals have always been Sue Fallon’s bread and butter, whether they’re furred, scaled or feathered. But one particular species will always be incredibly dear to her – the Moon Bear.

Unfortunately Moon Bears have historically been farmed for their bile, still used in traditional medicine.

After watching a documentary on the horrors of bear bile farming in the early 2000s, Sue was so affected she organised a fundraising walk with her husband Kieran.

The couple trekked 300 km – from Sydney to Canberra – over five days, raising $45,000 for habitats and care at the Animals Asia bear sanctuary in Chengdu, China.

Sue and Kieran were thrilled when they visited the sanctuary and met the rescued bears, who would live there in safety for the rest of their lives.

“I saw that film and I knew I had to do something, these animals were suffering so horribly,” she says.

“I went to the sanctuary and saw the bears, saw their scars but also their personalities. They were so happy to be free.”

Sue’s passion eventually led to the founding of an ACT support group for the Animals Asia Foundation, which has raised more than $1 million over the last 15 years through various events, walks and other outlets, including beautiful craft cards.

“I met the owners of the National Zoo and Aquarium at a market stall. They loved the cards so much they asked if I wanted to sell them in the shop at the zoo,” Sue says.

“From the moment I stepped through the gates of the zoo, I knew I wanted to volunteer there.”

More than 16 years later, Sue remains a volunteer. She is also a proud member of the National Zoo and Aquarium Conzoovation Team.

Alongside her work helping keepers clean enclosures, prepare food and set up enrichment for bears at the zoo, she collects bottles and cans from around the park to raise funds for animals in need through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme.

As of 2024, Sue’s movement has raised $78,000 – and yes, she does go through the bins!

The Conzoovation Team decides where container deposit scheme funds go. Thousands of dollars have been donated to help animals in need, including Moon Bears at the new Animals Asia bear sanctuary in Vietnam.

“It’s really important we get to see tangible examples of where the money is going,” Sue says.

“For example, we have been able to pay for special beds for bear dens in the new Animals Asia sanctuary. We have also supported the Red Panda Network, multiple native animal rescue groups, African Painted Dog Conservation, 21st Century Tiger, and the anti wildlife trade organisation TRAFFIC.”

The efforts of Sue and the team have also kept 780,000 items out of landfill and helped to raise community awareness.

The collective efforts of the National Zoo and Aquarium, its Conzoovation Team and zoo-stay Jamala Wildlife Lodge have resulted in more than $1 million in cash-and-kind donations over the last three years alone.

Sue is rightly proud of the part she has played.

“The National Zoo and Aquarium is like my second home. It’s a huge support for many species, particularly those vulnerable, threatened and endangered, and being involved in that is a wonderful feeling,” she says.

“We have a team of four on the container team right now and are helped out by all the departments across the zoo. Everyone wants to support the process because they know monies raised are going to a good cause.

“For anyone who wants to do the same, you can donate your containers with the deposit scheme to the Conzoovation Team!”

Sue hopes her story inspires Canberrans to recycle in their own lives and check out one of the many amazing wildlife charities supported by the National Zoo and Aquarium.

To donate your containers, visit your nearest Return It collection station, press donate and select the National Zoo and Aquarium Conzoovation Team (NZACT).