Blog
Catch up on our latest member blog posts !
RAISING RHINOs experience
We're excited to share that members have first access to book our brand-new Raising Rhinos experience at Werribee Open Range Zoo! For a limited time, go behind the scenes with our expert keepers to meet our remarkable rhinos up close. Discover the heartwarming tale of baby Jabulani’s first family introduction and the incredible work that goes into preparing for a rhino birth. Don't miss this chance to connect with these amazing animals and the people who care for them.
Book now and save 10% as a member!
Published 12 December 2024
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zoo pLAYGROUp
Tuesdays and Thursdays
We’re excited to introduce Melbourne Zoo’s new 8-week playgroup for our youngest members! Zoo Playgroup invites little ones to explore nature through sensory play, storytelling, crafts, and more—helping support their development while fostering a connection with the natural world.
Spaces are limited, don't miss out!
Published 12 December 2024
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kEEPER FOR A DAY
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays these school holidays!
Do you have an animal enthusiast aged 8-15?
Our brand-new Keeper For a Day program at Kyabram Fauna Park offers kids a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes, feed animals, prepare diets, and explore back of house areas. They’ll get an exciting glimpse into the daily life of our amazing zoo keepers and exclusive access to hidden parts of the park. Best of all, members save 10%!
Published 12 December 2024
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New Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey
A precious new joey at Healesville Sanctuary has keepers jumping for joy, with a blue-eyed Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo making its pouch premiere.
The youngster is a male, approximately six months old, and is now peeping out to see the world for the first time. It’s the fourth offspring for experience parents, mum Mani [Pron: Mah-knee] and dad Bagam [Pron: Bag-am] who are part of an international breeding program for the endangered species.
Published 12 December 2024
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LETTERS TO SANTA
Little members, it’s time to get your wish list ready! Drop off your letters to Santa in the special red-letter box outside the Member Information Booth at Melbourne Zoo. The booth is located at the Main Gate entry.
Psst... parents, you can grab ‘Santa’s reply' letter from reception at Melbourne Zoo or download it online below.
Published 04 December 2024
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A PLATYPUS MIRACLE AT CHRISTMAS CREEK!
After 10 months of expert care at Healesville Sanctuary, a young platypus has been released back into the wild. Rescued by cyclists after being found alone and underweight on a hot February day, he now thrives in his new home at Christmas Creek, chosen for its rich habitat and flowing waterways.
Published 04 December 2024
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MELBOURNE ZOO PATH CHANGES
Exciting improvements are underway at Melbourne Zoo! From 5–21 December, there will be temporary changes to the Trail of the Elephants path. Keep an eye out for signs or ask our friendly staff for assistance to ensure you can still visit your favourite animals. Thank you for your understanding as we enhance your zoo experience.
Published 04 December 2024
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TURTLES ON THE MOVE
Over the coming months, keep an eye out for some special visitors around Melbourne Zoo! Our free-ranging population of Eastern Long-neck, Broad-shell, and Macquarie Turtles are on the move, as female turtles search for the perfect spot to lay their eggs. Rainy days and warm weather often bring an uptick in activity, so you might spot them exploring beyond the water.
If you see a turtle wandering, there's no need to worry. It’s best to let them go about their business unless they’re in a potentially dangerous area like a road. In those cases, you can alert one of our friendly staffs and they will move them to a safer spot.
Published 03 December 2024
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Werribee open range zoo on nova 100
Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Animal Behavior Specialist, Kelly Hobbs, was a featured guest on Nova 100's Ask an Expert segment this month! Kelly shared fascinating insights into animal behavior and training at the zoo, while tackling challenging questions like, "why are zoos important?"
Published 21 November 2024
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TAWNY FROGMOUTH NAME REVEAL
You could say we’ve owl been waiting for this moment! We've tallied your votes and are excited to reveal the names of the two new Tawny Frogmouth chicks are... Storm and Nimbus!
Visit the Tawny Frogmouth family now at Melbourne Zoo.
Published 19 November 2024
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world association of zoos and aquariums award
We are pleased to announce that Dr Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria, has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Heini Hediger Award by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This award, named after the visionary Swiss biologist Heini Hediger, honors outstanding dedication to animal welfare, conservation, sustainability, and education. It celebrates leaders who actively further these causes within their zoo or aquarium and beyond. Dr Jenny Gray’s pioneering work embodies this mission, making a lasting impact both locally and globally.
Learn more about Dr Jenny Gray and her work in animal ethics, welfare and conservation as she speaks with Richard Fidler for ABC Conversations.
Published 19 November 2024
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HAPPY NEWS FOR HAPPY FEEt
Melbourne Zoo's adorable penguin chicks are thriving! One chick now steps onto the scale all on its own, while another has just learned to enter the feeding chute. Meanwhile, our cleverest chick is choosing to stay cozy with dad, Bump, to getting the occasional extra snack.
Exciting milestones for the little ones—look how far they have come!
Published 19 November 2024
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DETECTION DOG PODCAST
Ever wondered how experts find and protect elusive Platypuses in the wild? Wildlife Detection Dog Officer Naomi Hodgens and Platypus Specialist Dr. Jessica Thomas from Healesville Sanctuary recently joined the K9 Conservationists podcast to share fascinating insights into their work tracking Platypuses in Coranderrk Creek.
Tune in to learn more about these incredible conservation efforts.
Published 12 November 2024
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three new meerkat pups join the mob
Melbourne Zoo has welcomed three new adorable Meerkat pups to mum Toto and dad Malu. This is the third litter of pups to these doting parents and their older siblings help out a lot with pup care duties.
Watch the latest video of the Meerkats at Melbourne Zoo on the Zoos Victoria YouTube channel or visit Melbourne Zoo to see them yourself, they grow up fast so don't delay.
Published 04 November 2024
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500+ SIGHTINGS ON MOTH TRACKER
Thank you to all of the citizen scientists out there who have submitted Bogong Moth sightings via Moth Tracker! We're thrilled to announce that we've received 500 confirmed Bogong Moth sightings so far this spring!
Remember, you don't have to go out of your way to spot a Bogong - during their migration they can stop off in everyday places like in your garden, doorways, on your windows or mirrors - and can be seen during the day as well as at night. Tracking these little moths helps us better understand their movements and supports their conservation.
Published 23 October 2024
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TEENY TINY BUT MIGHTY
Zoos Victoria has teamed up with ARIA award winning children’s music group, Teeny Tiny Stevie's to produce a song in honour of the Victoria Grassland Earless Dragon, A Tiny Dragon.
Watch the music video and next time you visit Melbourne Zoo, bring your dancing shoes and have a dance in the Dragon Disco (next to Reptile House). Don't forget to visit Keeper Kids to see the dragon and learn more about the work underway to save the species.
Published 23 October 2024
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written in stars
What does a small, gentle brown moth you might see flying around your porch light have to do with the battle to protect and recover one of Australia’s cutest but most Critically Endangered native critters, the Mountain Pygmy-possum?
The answer is…
Published 13 October 2024
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meet the new kid on the (savannah) block
Following weeks of anticipation, Werribee Open Range Zoo’s cherished Southern White Rhino calf, Jabulani, is delighting members and visitors with his first adventures out on the savannah, exploring the 30-hectare African-inspired habitat among herds of giraffe, zebra, ostrich and antelope.
Jabulani is confident and healthy, growing from 55-kilograms at birth to 200-kilograms in just a couple of months.
“Visitors can expect to see Jabulani staying close by mum and eight tons of rhino family 'bodyguards'. But as time goes by, he'll venture out and explore more on his own. He’ll also be doing plenty of ‘zoomies’ and take lots of naps as would be expected with any new bub,” said Dominic, Werribee Open Range Zoo Life Sciences Manager.
Run, don't walk, to Werribee Open Range Zoo, board the bus and come and say hi to Jabulani.
Published 13 October 2024
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FEATHERS, FUR AND SCALES
Have you ever wondered why ducks never look wet, or why Spotted-tail Quolls have spots? Discover how certain aesthetic features help these and other animals survive and thrive.
Kyabram Fauna Park’s wetlands precinct is home all year round to an assortment of native wildlife. Several species of migratory birds stop by for a visit at certain times of the year while they...
Published 11 October 2024
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IT'S TIME TO RACE!
Enjoy an afternoon of fun with friends, family or colleagues (yes, Christmas parties are coming...) as you compete in Melbourne Zoo's very own Race Around the Zoo. Unlock clues, unravel riddles and snap creative photos as you compete in a race followed by drinks, canapes, Carousel rides (even for adults) and prizes for the winning team.
For a limited time only, Race Around The Zoo will be held on Fridays and Saturdays between 25 October and 14 December 2024 from 3pm.
Published 11 October 2024
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They're packing their trunks
If you’ve ever moved house, you’ll understand the enormity of the task at hand.
Multiply that by the size of a nine-strong elephant herd and factor in details such as organising cranes and transport trucks; calculating the time required to load, transport and unload the elephants; and coordinating all the...
Published 11 October 2024
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Your Tote Collectible bag is now on sale
This year we need your help to support a recently rediscovered local legend and one of the most threatened species in the world, the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon.
The sale of every Totes for Wildlife bag directly supports the conservation of the Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon, helping us discover more about wild dragons and how they use the environment.
Published 11 October 2024
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