Melbourne Zoo is a wonderful window on the world’s wildlife, with more than 230 species from Australia and around the world.

This winter Zoo visitors will be able to see not only this stunning diversity of wildlife, they will also be able to see many species as viewed through the lenses of some of Australia’s most talented photographers.

More than 70 of the very best wildlife photographs published recently by the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun have been selected for an amazing display to be on view at the Zoo through the end of August.

Zoo Director Matt Vincent says that ‘we always hoped that our visitors will experience magic moments of connection with the wonderful wildlife on view here at Melbourne Zoo.

‘This show represents some of those magic moments, when the skilled eye of a photographer has selected just the right angle and lighting to create an exciting image.  These brilliant photographs give us an additional insight into what makes every individual animal so fascinating.’

He said that ‘maintaining species biodiversity is one of the greatest challenges facing conservationists today, and our conservation breeding programs and habitat protection initiatives in the wild are both ways of assisting species survival.

‘We would like to invite individuals and members of the corporate community to work with us, by sponsoring an animal, species, or specific program.  Coming towards the end of the financial year, this is also a good time for a reminder that these donations are fully tax deductible.’

The Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun photographic display features images of a wide variety of Zoo residents, from a tiny caterpillar to a massive elephant, or from a Victorian Koala to an African Mandrill.

Young animals are well represented, including photographs of a baby gorilla, a young Vervet Monkey, goslings with their mother Cape Barren Goose, and a lion cub cuddling up to its mother.

All Zoo visitors will be welcome to view the exhibit through to the end of August, at no additional charge.

Photograph courtesy The Herald & Weekly Times