Zoo News Weekly
Zoo Members, welcome to Zoo News Weekly! This is a place exclusive for members to stay informed with the latest updates that will make every visit just that little bit different. Plus keep coming back for exclusive member pre-sales, animal naming competitions, special food offers, and so much more!
blog │ 1 apr 2026
From fieldwork across Victoria (and beyond) to supporting bushfire response efforts, our team has been hard at work protecting wildlife and preparing for key reintroductions this autumn. In this edition, we celebrate conservation milestones, share exciting species updates and show what your continued support helps us achieve in helping fight extinction.
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blog │ 23 may 2026
Meet the team working to keep marine wildlife safe along Victoria’s vast coastline.
From Zoo News Magazine Autumn 2025
Continue readingWHO'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.
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 releaseBIG 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
blog │ 16 feb 2026
The much-anticipated return of dinosaurs is here. Pay a visit to your three zoos this autumn to see the lifelike installations for yourself!
From Zoo News Magazine Autumm 2026
Continue readingCONSERVATION 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 jan 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.