Zoo News Weekly

‘BARITONE’ FROGS WHISTLE A HOPEFUL TUNE

CONSERVATION UPDATE │ 15 MAy 2026

East Gippsland’s endangered Watson’s Tree Frog is about to get a lot louder, with 200 froglets and 1,200 tadpoles being released into the wild this season (November 2025 – April 2026).

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HIPPOS AND ELEPHANTS GO FULL SMASHING PUMPKINS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 15 MAY 2026

When you’ve got the biggest mouth of any land animal, you need snacks to match. With pumpkin season in full swing, the team at Werribee Open Range Zoo grew giant pumpkins especially for our three hippo girls, giving their powerful jaws the ultimate seasonal challenge.

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BEN & JERRY'S DINO SUNDAE-SAURUS

cATERING UPDATE │ 27 aPR 2026

Dinosaurs have taken over the zoo, and Ben & Jerry's is joining the fun! To celebrate all things prehistoric, you can dig into a limited-time Dino Sundae-saurus on your next visit. It’s the perfect sweet treat to enjoy between spotting life-sized dinos and exploring the zoo.

Any 2 flavours of ice cream with fresh baked choc chip cookies & whipped cream, only $12.50!

A COOL NEW SPACE FOR OUR SNOW LEOPARD FAMILY

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 20 Apr 2026 

You may have noticed something new in the snow leopard habitat, a purpose-built cold cave designed especially for our growing family.

This cool, shaded retreat better reflects the snow leopard’s natural alpine environment and gives the cubs a comfortable place to rest, play, and escape the warmer temperatures.

The cubs are already making the most of it, often curled up together inside for a cosy nap. With improved viewing into the space, visitors can now get closer than ever to these incredible animals.

Next time you visit, take a peek inside, you might just catch the cubs in their cutest moment yet.

A DOZEN DELIGHTFUL PYGMY-POSSUMS

conservation UPDATE │ 05 aPR 2026

Twelve tiny Mountain Pygmy-possums have been born at Healesville Sanctuary as part of our breeding program for this Critically Endangered species, a huge milestone for conservation.

The team has embraced a moth-inspired naming theme for some of the joeys, a nod to the Bogong Moths that are vital to the species’ survival during spring. Names include Behemoth, Mothilda, Woolly Mammoth and Mothball, inspired by one of the mums, Mammoth.

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WHO'S CALLING?

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 20 MAR 2026

Have you heard this call at Healesville Sanctuary? Our members often ask which bird is making this beautiful sound.

It belongs to the Chiming Wedgebill, and it’s just as striking as his signature “hairstyle.”

If you’re a fan of The Hunger Games, you might notice it sounds a little like a Mockingjay.

Listen here

CHEETAH RENO

Animal UPDATE │ 20 mar 2026

In December, we learned that the former African Wild Dog habitat would soon welcome two beautiful new residents, cheetah sisters Mara and Mapenzi.

With just under two weeks to prepare, the team quickly set to work refreshing the habitat to ensure it was ready for their arrival. This included removing and relocating large aloe plants to improve visitor sightlines, and building up a mound to give the sisters a perfect lookout point over their new territory. When Mara and Mapenzi were first released into the habitat, they carried out a very thorough inspection, carefully exploring every corner. 

Thankfully, our renovations passed their test! After a few months investigating, the sisters have settled in well, clearly approving of their surroundings and claiming the space as home.

WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE RESCUE SUCCESS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 05 MAR 2026

A young Wedge-tailed Eagle chick found injured on a farm north-east of Melbourne has been successfully returned to the wild after an incredible team effort.

After falling 30 metres from its nest and fracturing its wing, the eaglet was cared for by the veterinary team at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Once healed, the bird built up its strength in the Sanctuary’s Raptor Rehabilitation Centre before being carefully returned to its nest and reunited with its parents, the best possible outcome for the young eagle.

Members can visit the Australian Wildlife Health Centre at Healesville Sanctuary and see the dedicated veterinary team caring for wildlife in real time.

Watch the release

BIG BABY ELEPHANT NEWS

aNIMAL UPDATE │ 13 FEB 2026

It’s time to let our members in on a very BIG secret…

Three of Zoos Victoria’s Asian elephants are expecting! Num-Oi, Dokkoon and Mali are all pregnant, with calves due around April 2027. Get ready for the pitter patter of not-so-little feet!

Just one year after the herd made their incredible journey from Melbourne Zoo to their expansive new home at Werribee Open Range Zoo, we’re celebrating an exciting milestone, not only for Zoos Victoria and our members, but for Asian elephant conservation.

The purpose-built Elephant Trail gives the nine-member herd the space, choice and complexity they need to truly thrive. With room to roam, forage, play and strengthen social bonds, it’s the perfect place to welcome the next generation.

We can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.

Hear more from the keepers

CONSERVATION MILESTONE FOR FATU HIVA MONARCH

animal UPDATE │ 13 feb 2026

Zoos Victoria and conservation partner SOP-Manu, alongside the people of Fatu Hiva Island, are celebrating a major milestone with the successful fledging of the first Fatu Hiva Monarch chick raised from an egg under human care.

With only 18 birds remaining worldwide and just three breeding females left in the wild, the achievement is a significant step forward for the world’s most endangered landbird. Native to Fatu Hiva Island in French Polynesia, the species faces threats including introduced predators, harsh weather and Avian Malaria.

Zoos Victoria has supported SOP-Manu since 2019 by providing specialist staff and veterinary equipment. Now 50 days old, the chick is feeding independently, offering renewed hope for the future of the species.

Photo: Societe d’Ornithologie de Polynesie-Manu

BLUE-FACED HONEYEATER JOINS HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 28 JAN 2026

The Bird Team is excited to have a Blue-faced Honeyeater back on display for Healesville Sanctuary visitors. Just six years old, he arrived from Western Australia in December and is now living in the Woodlands Aviary and generating a lot of interest from his new neighbours (especially our juvenile Eastern Whipbirds who are very curious!).

PRINCESS OF KYABRAM

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 28 JAN 2026

Kyabram Fauna Park have welcomed 2-year-old female Spotted-tailed Quoll Bobby! Keepers have nicknamed her 'Princess Bobby' because she's beautiful, quiet and likes to sleep in her log all day (which makes sense since quolls are nocturnal!)

MEET OUR NEW FEATHERED FRIENDS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 27 aPR 2026

We are incredibly excited to introduce a new bird species to Healesville Sanctuary visitors, the stunning Macleay's Fig Parrot (or Red-browed Fig Parrot). Four boys arrived at Healesville and are now settling into an aviary with our Noisy Pitta (‘Brad’). Despite their name, these beautiful birds (the smallest parrots in Australia) eat a variety of fruits and insect larvae, although they do also love figs. Healesville Sanctuary is currently the only ZAA-accredited institution in Victoria to care for this species. You can see them now on the Woodlands Track!

SNOOPY THE ECHIDNA CELEBRATES 40 YEARS!

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 07 jan 2026

Snoopy the echidna arrived at Healesville Sanctuary as an orphan in 1985 and is now celebrating the incredible milestone of turning 40. Her remarkable longevity is a testament to the dedicated care she receives, with echidnas in the wild believed to live between 14 and 40 years.

Although she’s slowed down a little with age, Snoopy remains in great health thanks to regular check-ups, tailored nutrition and enrichment activities provided by her keepers and wildlife vets. She shares her habitat with younger echidna Matilda, and the pair recently received a new ball pit designed to encourage natural foraging behaviours and keep them mentally active.

Visitors can meet Snoopy in the echidna habitat near the front entrance at Healesville Sanctuary.

NEW YEAR, NEW CROC

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 07 jan 2026

Say hello to Pangalawa, or Pangi for short, Melbourne Zoo’s newest resident. This 12-year-old Philippine crocodile recently arrived from Cologne Zoo in Germany after five years of planning by our keeper teams.

With fewer than 200 Philippine crocodiles left in the wild, Pangi is an important ambassador for her Critically Endangered species. Zoos Victoria has supported Philippine crocodile conservation alongside the Mabuwaya Foundation since 2000, helping protect habitats and support breeding and recovery efforts.

You can now visit Pangi at Melbourne Zoo.

Watch Pangi settle in

SPOT THE "FOREST FAIRIES" AT HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

Animal UPDATE │ 05 jan 2026

The elusive Leadbeater’s Possum, Victoria’s own faunal emblem, is back on display for the first time in five years at the Animals of the Night house at Healesville Sanctuary!

This mother–daughter trio has moved into a newly renovated habitat shared with Long-nosed Potoroos. With possums darting overhead in clear tunnels and potoroos foraging below, it’s the perfect peek into a forest ecosystem after dark.

These tiny nocturnal possums are hard to spot in the wild, so this is a rare chance to see them up close and learn why saving this critically endangered species matters. Our team is helping protect both Highland and Lowland populations, with new joeys and successful conservation pairings already underway.

Come meet Victoria’s real-life “forest fairies” and be part of their future.

THE FAST AND THE FURRIEST CHEETAH ARRIVE AT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

animal UPDATE │ 22 dec 2026

Three new cheetahs have arrived at Werribee Open Range Zoo, sisters Mara and Mapenzi, aged seven, and 11-year-old Sansa. The trio recently settled into the African River Trail and are already exploring their new surroundings.

Closely bonded sisters Mara and Mapenzi share a habitat, while senior cheetah Sansa enjoys her own retirement space. Keepers say the trio all have distinct personalities, with Mara being confident and vocal, Mapenzi more reserved, and Sansa keeping a close eye on the neighbouring oryx and camels.

As the world’s fastest land animal, cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h, but with fewer than 7,500 remaining in the wild, they remain vulnerable.