The animals at Sydney's Taronga Zoo have been showing off their painting skills to raise awareness of wildlife conservation.

A penguin named Mr Munro and an echidna called Brian were among those who dipped their paws, claws, flippers feet in paint to create works of art for the "Make Your Mark" campaign.

The idea of the project is to raise awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife and to show the zoo's commitment to conservation.

Cameron Kerr, the zoo's CEO said: "It's all about getting the community involved.

"We know that if it's all about wildlife, really we are the ones, us humans that are going to make the difference in the end."

Taronga Zoo is helping to build and fund an elephant protection project in Thailand's Kui Buri National Park.

Two guard stations will be built at important locations in the park to help prevent the destruction of elephants and their habitats.