Zoo News Weekly
Zoo Members, welcome to Zoo News Weekly! This is a place exclusive for members to stay informed with the latest updates, including exclusive member pre-sales, animal naming competitions, special food offers, and so much more!
NEW PLAY SPACE AT HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY
Discover the all-new Banksia Grove Nature Play and Corroboree Frog Nature Play at Healesville Sanctuary. Climb through Banksia Cubbies, splash in the water play zone, and uncover hidden nature treasures. While the kids let loose in nature’s ultimate playground, relax on the Billabong deck with a delicious pizza in hand. Come and explore this exciting new space—where play and nature come together in the most playful way.
Published 16 April 2025
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SPEAKER SERIES: HELP US PROTECT NATURE'S TINY AND MIGHTY
You're invited to a free Speaker Series event launching Zoos Victoria’s End of Year Campaign: Be part of the change at Melbourne Zoo. Help us protect nature's tiny and mighty. Discover our bold new vision to lead in invertebrate conservation and hear from experts about the vital role these tiny but mighty creatures play in protecting our planet. Join us in-person or online and be part of this remarkable transformation.
Published 16 April 2025
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MEMBER MAY-HEM IS COMING
This May, we're making it all about YOU! Introducing... Member MAY-hem! We’re celebrating our incredible Zoos Victoria members with a month full of exclusive benefits and epic giveaways. Whether you’ve been with us for years or just joined the zoo family, Member MAY-hem is your chance to share in over 4,000 prizes—with winners every day from 1–31 May. There is more than $130,000 in giveaways, plus special perks and surprises including increased discounts and offers on General Admissions tickets, all just for being a member.
Keep an eye on your emails for more info, including exclusive codes and prize details!
Published 10 April 2025
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limited spaces available for the seal experience
Witness the incredible intelligence and agility of Australian fur seals in action at Melbourne Zoo. This exciting experience gives you the rare opportunity to head behind-the-scenes and meet Bella, Iha or Pania. View an intimate training session led by our expert keepers, where you'll see how our seals learn and enact a range of behaviours, designed to give them the best welfare possible. Learn all about the bonds they share with their trainers, natural instincts, individual stories and how our Marine Response Unit are assisting injured marine species and birdlife out in the wild.
4 April - 28 April. Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.
Members save 10%!
Published 8 April 2025
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HOP ON THE NEW WERRIBEE SHUTTLE
Explore Werribee and Surrounds on board a new Free Visitor Shuttle Bus! This new trial service makes it easier for visitors to travel between Werribee Train Station and enjoy some of the region's biggest attractions, including Werribee Open Range Zoo, the Victoria State Rose Garden and Wyndham Harbour. The service will run daily during the April school holidays, before moving to four-days-a-week (Friday – Monday) until 23 June.
Published 8 April 2025
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new moon jellyfish have DRIFTED IN
We’re excited to welcome Moon Jellyfish to Wild Sea at Melbourne Zoo — a brand-new species for the space and a truly magical addition to your underwater journey. Their arrival is the result of months of behind-the-scenes work by our expert team, including the installation of specialised jellyfish displays (called Kreisels), the setup of delicate hatching systems, and the creation of facilities to ensure a thriving Moon Jelly population. With their ethereal glow and hypnotic movement, these graceful creatures are already enchanting visitors. Don’t miss them on your next visit.
Published 8 April 2025
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OTTERS ON THE MOVE
Keep an eye out for Felix the Pygmy Hippo’s new neighbours on your next stroll along Melbourne Zoo’s Gorilla Trail. Odie and Paula, our otter parents, have temporarily moved in while we navigate some family dynamics within their group. They’re settling in well, very active and loving their new digs.
Published 8 April 2025
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APRIL MEMBER ACTIVITIES AT HEALSVILLE SANCTUARY
Back by popular demand! Join us for member-only Spirits of the Sky training shows at 11am on 10 April and 17 April.
Plus, join in on the Member Easter Egg Hunt running 18–21 April. Crack the riddles, uncover the animals, and go in the draw to win a money can't buy tour of our Tasmanian Devil Breeding Site, plus feed*!
Ask our friendly staff on-site for details and to collect the activity sheet. Alternatively, you can download and print your own below!
Published 2 April 2025
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Cozy Rooms for Pollinators
Build a native bee hotel to take home and help support local pollinators! Run by Clancy ‘Bee Man’ Lester, this fun, hands-on activity takes just 10 minutes. No bookings needed—drop in and get buzzing!
Daily, 5–21 April, 10am–2:30pm at The Barn on Forest of Wonder.
If you’ve strolled along the Forest of Wonder trail recently, you may have spotted some new additions!
We’ve been busy bees, crafting our own bee hotels for our invertebrate garden—using repurposed materials from around the Zoo. The posts, made from red gum salvaged from the old Wild Sea pier, feature carefully drilled holes (4.5mm, 5.5mm, and 7mm) to welcome leaf cutter bees, resin bees, and hopefully masked bees. Positioned north-east to catch the morning sun, they’re already buzzing with activity!
Next time you visit, keep an eye out for these tiny pollinators moving in!
Published 2 April 2025
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PLaygroup at the zoo
Spots are still available for Term 2 Playgroup at Melbourne Zoo!
Give your little one a chance to explore, learn, and connect with nature through fun and engaging activities—designed especially for curious young minds.
"I was impressed by the variety of activities on offer for the kids and the level of detail applied to all activities. Ash was engaging and very knowledgeable. I have done a lot of different play groups in my time (in my life prior to kids I evaluated children play programs at hospitals across Australia) and this is one of the best and most creative programs I have come across."
– A happy Zoo Member
Published 2 April 2025
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Jabulani meets his dad
A heartwarming moment recently unfolded at Werribee Open Range Zoo as seven-month-old Southern White Rhino calf Jabulani met his towering dad, Kifaru, for the first time. Despite the size difference—Kifaru is five times his size—Jabulani stood his ground, curiously locking horns with his father while calmly chewing on some food. Protected by his mum Kipenzi and a strong female herd, Jabulani remained unfazed during the encounter, which keepers carefully planned to mirror natural wild herd dynamics. Southern White Rhinos are classified as Near Threatened, and the Zoo’s breeding program plays a vital role in their conservation. Visitors can spot Jabulani, Kifaru and the rest of the rhino crash on a safari bus tour, included with entry.
Published 27 March 2025
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DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE BIRDS LIVING IN THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE AT MELBOURNE ZOO?
Recently, we welcomed a Rose-crowned Fruit Dove fledgling, and it's growing fast! This little one is becoming more independent each day but is still being lovingly fed by its parents, Lily and Pily. It's already flying confidently and exploring every corner of the Butterfly House. At the end of the day, you'll often find it snuggled up next to mum for a cozy night's sleep. Make sure you look out for them on your next visit.
Published 27 March 2025
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THE WAIT IS OVER...
Werribee Open Range Zoo’s Elephant Trail is officially opening tomorrow! As a special thank-you to our members for your ongoing support and enthusiasm we're offering members exclusive early entry during weekdays for the first two weeks!
Monday 24 March – Friday 28 March and Monday 31 March – Friday 4 April
Zoo gates will open for members at 8:30am and close at strictly 8:50am, so please arrive on time and allow extra time for parking as capacity is limited. Once all members are inside the zoo, you will be guided down the new elephant trail from approx. 8:50am. Please allow at least two-hours for this experience as you may not be able to view an elephant in the habitat until approx 10:15-10:30am.
During member early entry, you'll enjoy:
- Walk along the new trail and hear about the incredible efforts that went into creating the elephants’ new home from special keeper talks.
- A chance to experience the new habitat without the busy crowds.
- Grab a coffee and breakfast at the stunning Waterhole Café, overlooking the vast habitat.
- A chance to see the elephant’s starting their day in the barn and their holding paddock.
- An up-close view of the herd emerging out of the barn from their morning training anytime between 10:15-10.30am.
If you don’t make the early opening, the zoo opens to members and the public at 9:00am and the new Elephant Trail will re-open at 9:45am daily.
Published 23 March 2025
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MEET THE HERD
Published 27 February 2025
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ELEPHANT UPDATE FROM WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO
Published 20 February 2025
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Remembering KIMYA, MELBOURNE ZOO'S WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLA
Published 19 February 2025
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First Look: Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomes nine majestic Asian Elephants!
Published 11 February 2025
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LOVE IS IN THE AIR WITH OUR BLEEDING-HEART DOVES
Keen-eyed members may have spotted some new residents at Melbourne Zoo, our Bleeding-Heart Doves.
Bleeding-heart doves are a group of ground-dwelling pigeons native to the forests of the Philippines. Their name comes from the dramatic red or orange patch on their chest, which looks like a wound, giving the illusion that the bird is bleeding. Despite their appearance, these doves are completely unharmed—the "bloodstain" is actually just a patch of vividly coloured feathers.
Why Do They Have Red Feathers?
The exact reason for this unique feature is not fully understood, but there are a few strong theories:
1. Camouflage & Distraction
In dense forest environments, bright markings can serve as a form of disruptive camouflage, breaking up the bird’s outline. The red patch might also act as a distraction, drawing a predator’s attention away from more vulnerable areas.
2. Mate Attraction
Like many birds, bleeding-heart doves rely on visual signals to attract mates. Their striking red patch could indicate good health and genetic fitness, making them more appealing to potential partners.
3. Territorial Display
Some scientists believe the red patch may also play a role in communication between doves, signalling dominance or warning rivals to stay away.
Visit the Bleeding-Heart Doves next to Hutan the Tiger in the Forest of Wonder.
Published 11 February 2025
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THE BIG MOVE IS UNDERWAY!
We’re excited to share that Luk Chai, our energetic, inquisitive, and confident male elephant, was the first to make the big move today! The journey went smoothly, thanks to a massive team effort involving veterinarians, transport experts, and even Victoria Police. The rest of the herd will be joining him in the coming weeks.
Published 06 February 2025
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the 2025 members' photo competition is now open
Have you snapped any striking photos of our amazing animals? This competition showcases stunning member-captured images in our annual calendar, reaching over 100,000 households across Victoria and beyond.
Published 06 February 2025
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NAME REVEAL FOR OUR NEW JOEY
Thank you for helping us choose a name for Healesville Sanctuary's adorable new Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey!
Our keepers selected three names inspired by Papua New Guinea, the native home of this unique species. Members voted for their favourite, choosing between:
- Murua – a district (pronounced moo-roo-wa)
- Mungili – meaning precious or beautiful (moon-gi-lee)
- Mongo – seeds from trees (mon-go)
The votes are in, and the winning name is... Mungili!
Little Mungili is becoming more active every day, so don’t miss the chance to spot them on your next visit to Healesville Sanctuary.
Published 30 January 2025
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NEW FACE AT MELBOURNE ZOO
Have you met Khan? Our new 2-year-old Komodo dragon, is making history as the first Komodo dragon bred in Australia and the very first to call Melbourne Zoo home! Visit Keeper Kids on your next trip to the zoo, where you can now see both our biggest dragon and our smallest dragon, the Victorian grassland earless dragon, in the same space.
Published 30 January 2025
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PENGUIN CAM
During nesting season, penguins might be a little harder to spot—but now you can catch all the action on the big screen! Next time you visit Wild Sea at Melbourne Zoo, look up to see a live cam projection of the nesting boxes in action. 🐧
Published 17 January 2025
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New to melbourne zoo
Step into the Forest of Wonder—an immersive nature trail celebrating the beauty of butterflies, incredible insects, and the vibrant ecosystems they call home.
Discover the interactive touch wall, giant bug displays, and delightful new additions in the Butterfly House. This new experience will spark curiosity, inspire learning, and bring out the explorer in kids (and kids at heart)!
Published 17 December 2024
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RIBBITING GOOD NEWS
As you know, Zoos Victoria is committed to fighting wildlife extinction. For many species, our long-term commitment is their only hope of survival. For several years, we’ve been breeding Northern Corroboree Frogs to help bolster the wild populations, which are critically endangered. Recently, a team of amphibian experts travelled to Namadgi National Park, so 150 Northern Corroboree Frogs could return to the wild.
This conservation work is made possible thanks multiple partners and supporters. Special thanks to ACT Parks and Conservation Service and researcher Ben from ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society.
Published 17 December 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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