Residents in Sydney's north hear 'roaring' during lockdown

People living near Sydney's Taronga Zoo are getting a break from the sounds of city traffic, with many now waking to a very different noise.

Residents have reported hearing loud roars ringing out across Sydney's northern suburbs.

Katherine Spenceley from Taronga Zoo said the animals are doing what they've always done - it's human behaviour that's changed.

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"Animals make noise all the time so it's much more likely that this has to do with people being home more and having less traffic to obscure some of that noise," Ms Spenceley told nine.com.au.

"Vocalisation is part of our amazing animals' natural behaviour. Lions, sea lions and chimps are some of the Zoo's most vocal residents and a lion's roar can be heard up to eight kilometres away.

"Also the wind can affect what people hear. if it's blowing in a certain directly it can carry that sound."

Tracy Mellor said she's always been able to hear the animals although lockdown has meant even more peace and quiet to enjoy the sounds of nature.

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"It's just lovely here, you can hear the elephants trumpeting, the lions roaring, the monkey's chattering," she said.

"There's also no leaf blowers, no one was allowed to have gardeners over so that's actually made a difference."

Ms Mellor said the animals are a welcome reminder to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of a quiet moment during a challenging time.

"We're in a bit of a sensory overload at the moment ... maybe we should all try to be a bit more present and listen to the beautiful sounds that are around and go out in the sunshine and try and give yourself a rest," she said.

"We're in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

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"We need to make the most of lockdown and take a second to smell the roses and listen to sounds."

Ms Spencely reassured residents there's no reason to be alarmed by the sounds.

"There's certainly nothing different we're noticing as far as the animals go."

"They're just doing what they do."

"It's actually quite nice for us getting to walk around and actually hear the animals doing what they do, you don't normally hear that over the crowds."