ZOO NEWS
ZOOS VICTORIA MEMBER MAGAZINE
Seeing stripes THE ZEBRAS AT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO KEEP SAVANNAH KEEPER RESISTANCE ON HIS TOES ANIMAL
Butterfly effect
Melbourne Zoo’s Butterfly House is a warm haven for invertebrates
SUSTAINABILITY
Crafty catering
Introducing new tasty and healthy choices to the menus at the zoos
VOLUME 43 / WINTER 2021
CONSERVATION
Wine & wildlife
Sip the Yarra Valley’s finest while raising money for conservation
COMMUNITY
Phone it in
The young wildlife conservationist making a difference
Explore the WHALE DISCOVERY TRAIL’S iconic bays, headlands and beaches as you search for whales from spectacular coastal viewing points.
GROSSARD POINT The site of Captain Grossard’s 1868 burial after a tragic accident. Watch for whales entering the bay close to shore.
Western Port
Cowes PHILLIP ISLAND
WESTERN PORT
Humpbacks have been spotted from this jetty, and bottlenose dolphins can be seen in the bay all year round.
San Remo
PUNCHBOWL
Follow the spectacular George Bass Coastal Walk and look out for whales from the high cliffs overlooking the wild waters of Bass Strait.
CAPE PATERSON
HARMERS HAVEN
SUMMERLANDS
Home to great surf and the world’s largest Little Penguin colony. Shorttailed shearwaters and hooded plovers live here too.
PYRAMID ROCK
A dramatic basalt outcrop, home to short-tailed shearwaters, black-faced cormorants and sooty oystercatchers.
CAPE WOOLAMAI
A large colony of shorttailed shearwaters return from Alaska annually to breed here. Look out for albatross and sea eagles soaring above.
In 1826 Captain William Hovell discovered coal here and in 1901 the Artisan ran aground at nearby Wreck Beach.
Bass Strait
Bunurong Marine Park encompasses rock platforms and underwater reefs. This is a great spot for whale spotting and snorkelling.
Wonthaggi
Inverloch
To find out more visit visitphillipisland.com.au
EAGLES NEST
Site of Australia’s first dinosaur bone discovery, the Cape Paterson Claw, in 1903. The sedimentary rocks are 115 millions years old.
CONTENTS WINTER 2021
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Butterfly effect
16 Feature story
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The zoo of us Meet the dazzle of zebras that call Werribee Open Range Zoo home
Food forand thought Hatches matches
04 Wine & wildlife
The Yarra Valley event that’s helping save wildlife
06 News at the zoos
Dear Members, Thank you for continuing to visit the animals you missed so much last year; it has been a pleasure to welcome you back. Although we have had to adapt the way we work over the past year, our staff and volunteers are so dedicated and passionate that nothing will stop them from carrying out our local and global projects to fight extinction. You will find some of their stories in this edition. Dr Jenny Gray CEO, Zoos Victoria
07 Family friendly flicks
We visit Vjunior, the most kidfriendly cinema in Melbourne
08 Mega Zoo
Inside Melbourne Zoo’s Butterfly House
Jack Ryding has been collecting phones to help save gorillas
18 Sister zoo
Zoos Victoria’s pledge to help zoos in developing countries
20 Food for thought New menu options
Capturing exclusive behindthe-scenes footage
10 Butterfly effect
14 Calling on you
22
Hatches and matches
at the zoos
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
23 Over to you
12 Zoo Olympics
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to Elders both past and present.
Socials and member photos
Find out who would win the zoo Olympics
Zoo News is published for Zoos Victoria by Hardie Grant Media
Zoos Victoria PO Box 74, Parkville Vic 3052 P 03 9340 2780 / F 03 9285 9390 E members@zoo.org.au W zoo.org.au
MANAGING DIRECTOR Nick Hardie-Grant ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Scott Elmslie ACCOUNT MANAGER Hannah Louey EDITOR Georgia Lejeune DESIGN Dallas Budde, Natalie Lachina ADVERTISING Lauren Casalini PRINTER Immij ZOOS VICTORIA Olivia Shiels, Michelle Lang, Samantha Dalton, Tracey Borch
Connect with us: Have you visited lately? Share your visit with us and be sure to use the hashtag #zoomember
Cover: Plains Zebra (Photograph: Jo Howell)
Printed on 100% recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. Zoos Victoria is a carbon neutral organisation.
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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CONSERVATION
10th Anniversary
WINE & WILDLIFE
Healesville Sanctuary’s Wine & Wildlife festival is returning in 2021. Get cosy with roaring open fires and mulled wine, see iconic Australian animals and support vital care for wildlife, all at one fun event. De Gabrielle
T
ucked away within Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s largest wildlife hospitals: the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. Its vets and nurses treat thousands of wild animals every year, as well as looking after the health of every animal that calls the Sanctuary home. Last year, the Centre treated more than a dozen koalas injured in the Black Summer bushfires. Some needed intensive care for months to heal their wounds, receiving around-the-clock attention from wildlife veterinarians. A dozen of these koalas were released back into the wild in late 2020 after nearly a year of recovery. “Being able to see them go back up the trees where they belong is such an incredible feeling,” says Senior Veterinarian Dr Leanne Wicker. This year the Centre is expanding, increasing the number – and species – of animals it can care for. To support
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Above: Phillip Island Koala Sanctuary worker releasing koala, Jeremy, back to a holding enclosure after fitting a radio tracking collar.
the Centre, Healesville Sanctuary is using funds from its 10th annual Wine & Wildlife festival, which will feature the best of the world-famous Yarra Valley wines in a stunning bushland setting.
Stalls from Yarra Valley wineries and craft breweries will pop up throughout the Sanctuary. Members and visitors can view animals and purchase winterwarming food, accompanied by a Yarra Valley wine or craft beer, or settle down in front of roaring open fires with mulled wine and hot chocolate on offer. “We really want people to embrace the season,” said Healesville Sanctuary Events Coordinator Donna Paterson. “It’s a great chance to throw on your favourite winter woollies and warm up by the fire with a sip of something special. We’re featuring some of the Yarra Valley’s best wine and craft beers throughout the Sanctuary, and all funds raised will go directly to helping wildlife.” A retail pop-up will provide any winter essentials you may need, including ponchos and hand-warmers. Teepees and pavilions throughout the Sanctuary will have open fires and a bonfire will be created in the beautiful Nature Trail area. Members and visitors can also visit
IMAGES: CORMAC HANRAHAN, JO HOWELL
WORDS Madeleine
SAVING THE DEVIL
Member exclusive pre-sale
Tasmanian Devils are endangered, with the wild population estimated to have declined by 80 per cent since 1996. The devils are at serious risk from a form of cancer that can spread easily throughout the wild population. The last Wine & Wildlife festival helped fund the Sanctuary’s 2020 breeding program, which saw 17 healthy baby Tasmanian Devils born. These youngsters are now part of Save the Tasmanian Devil, a project that enables zoos and sanctuaries to work together to ensure we have a thriving population of healthy devils.
Wine & Wildlife is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the best the Yarra Valley has to offer while providing vital funds to help save our threatened species. The event is on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July. Tickets only $5 for members and $50 for nonmembers. Members can access the pre-sale from 11 June at zoo.org.au/wineandwildlife
the Centre, where the glass-walled public gallery allows them to watch the care of wild and resident animals. “We treat absolutely all kinds of animals, from turtles with cracked shells to wild platypus,” says Resident Veterinarian Dr Chloe Steventon. The huge variety in cases can present the vets with unique problems to solve. “Sometimes people will pick up an injured echidna and pop them in the back seat without a cardboard box or other suitable container,” explains Dr Steventon. “Echidnas are strong diggers, so it’s very natural that, if they’re a bit uncertain, they’ll start digging at the back seats. Unfortunately, once they’re in there, their spines mean you can’t get them out without some serious surgery to the upholstery.” Celebrating the conservation work of the zoos and the health of our precious Australian native wildlife is all part of the fun. Book your ticket now. ZN
fyi YOU CAN HELP! Access the exclusive member presale from 11 June via zoo.org.au/wineandwildlife. Tickets are only $5 for members.
SAVE THE TASSIE DEVIL Learn more about the plight of the Tasmanian Devil. Watch it here
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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COMMUNITY COMMUNITY
THE LATEST
NEWS at the ZOO
News and events taking place at Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Are you up-to-date with the latest news? Make sure to check in regularly for behind-the-scenes videos, activities and more. zoo.org.au/member -vip-zone/
UPCOMING EVENTS Book in! Zoos Victoria welcomes our third major Membership Partner, Quest Apartment Hotels, exclusive to the Zoos Victoria Membership family, joining Baby Jogger and Village Cinemas.
Wine & Wildlife Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 July, 10.30am to 4.30pm Healesville Sanctuary is once again teaming up with Yarra Valley icons to bring you a weekend of food and wine against the backdrop of the Sanctuary’s stunning bushland setting. Wine & Wildlife helps Healesville Sanctuary rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. Access the exclusive member presale from 11 June at zoo.org.au/ wineandwildlife. There are limited pre-sale tickets available. Further tickets will be available in the general public sale on Tuesday 15 June 2021.
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Quest Apartment Hotels is your home or office away from home, complete with separate living, dining and sleeping areas, separate work stations and fully equipped kitchens and laundry facilities. No matter where you choose to holiday with the family or do business, from central business districts to regional areas, Quest Apartment Hotels is there for you. Quest Apartment Hotels is generously offering a 20% discount off the best available rate at partnering hotels across Australia for Zoo Members. Visit zoo.org.au/membership-partnerbenefits for the link and further details.
IMAGES: WILL WATT, CORMAC HANRAHAN, JO HOWELL
Member VIP zone
Family friendly
flicks
We headed out – armed with a box of fresh popcorn – to road test the most kid‑friendly cinema in Melbourne, Vjunior. WORDS Georgia
S
Lejeune
itting still for an hour or more in a dark cinema is tough for a fully grown adult, let alone a small child (with enough energy to power a train). Enter Vjunior, a movie cinema that is designed especially for young children. This family-friendly experience is offered by Village Cinemas and the purpose-built Vjunior theatres are found at the Southland, Sunshine, Fountain Gate, Knox and Plenty Valley cinemas. On arrival, the fun starts in the foyer with activities – such as a Megablok wall, Hot Wheels tracks, colouring-in activities and screens playing kid-friendly music videos – for the little ones to get out their pre-movie heebie-jeebies. And what’s a movie experience without a trip to the candy bar? We loaded up on the standard movie fare, not forgetting to make a stop at the all-important coffee bar for the parents. On first look, the cinema doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, until you
Our top five 1 Play area before the movie notice the big slide down the side of the room and the seats that are more like beanbag chairs than regular cinema chairs. The kids can continue whizzing down the slide until the movie begins, when the lights dim to an ambient level (allowing audience members to move around safely). The volume levels are also lower than at a regular movie screening – to accommodate sound-sensitive and younger children. A mid-movie, 15-minute intermission means additional play time, a chance to run to the bathroom (or re-stock at the candy bar) and some stretch and chat time for the parents. A countdown timer on the screen lets you know exactly how long you have until the movie begins again. The cinema provided the perfect rainy-day activity for kids – which is especially necessary during a wet Melbourne winter. All up, the experience was great for the whole family and the movie was a hit. ZN
Helps the kids burn off some energy before watching the movie.
2 Intermission
Perfect break to stretch the legs and nip to the bathroom.
3 The slide
The giant slide in the cinema was a hit with the kids.
4 Calm and controlled
The space was great for
the kids to have fun but not go wild.
5 Great choice of movies
Excellent options for kids.
fyi SAVE MONEY AT THE MOVIES Don’t forget that Zoo Members receive a 20% discount off a family ticket to Vjunior. Simply visit zoo.org.au/ member-rewards for details.
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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ANIMAL
Behind the scenes of
Zoos Victoria’s TV Show Project Manager, Natalie Filmer, lifts the lid on the behind-the-scenes of Mega Zoo. WORDS
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he Mega Zoo TV series provides viewers with never-before-seen insights into the world of the incredible animals and staff at Zoos Victoria. But what was involved in securing this jawdropping and intimate access to some of the world’s most precious animals? GoPro cameras, 4K mountable recording devices, night-vision technology and remotely accessible camera equipment are just some of the technical tools that helped bring Mega Zoo viewers closer than ever to Zoos Victoria’s resident animals. “The technical equipment and expertise that production company WTFN employed to film Mega Zoo has taken Zoos Victoria’s storytelling to a whole new level,” says Natalie Filmer, Senior Manager Digital Newsroom and Mega Zoo Project Manager. “The array of purpose-built devices, such as log and nest box cameras, take viewers inside an animal’s habitat, providing an intimate look at these animals’ lives in a way we’ve never been able to share before.”
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Jesse Failla
“We knew that we’d only have one chance to capture the moment when Melbourne Zoo veterinarian Dr Kate learned that Miska was pregnant.” With a wealth of potential stories to tell, WTFN’s camera technicians and producers worked closely with keepers and specialists in animal welfare science to brainstorm innovative ways to capture the many precious moments seen in the show. “Mega Zoo was an opportunity for us to show the expertise and care that goes into ensuring that every single animal at our three zoos is treated as an individual with specific needs,” Natalie says. “For example, animal training sessions are a sensitive and delicate process that rely on trust between keeper and animal, without the distractions of a cameraman. However, lots of carefully placed mini cameras, operated remotely, allowed us to capture these moments, showing how zoo animals of all shapes and sizes
participate in their care in a voluntary and positive way.” One of the most impressive training sessions, accessed via 12 of WTFN’s strategically placed cameras, is the pregnancy ultrasound on Melbourne Zoo Snow Leopard, Miska. “We knew that we’d only have one chance to capture the moment when Melbourne Zoo Veterinarian Dr Kate learned that Miska was pregnant,” Natalie recalls. “Miska was being asked to remain still while allowing her tummy to be touched by a vet through a small hole cut underneath her training chute – and we couldn’t risk the distraction of an unfamiliar cameraman.” WTFN’s safely placed, discreet cameras included GoPro chest mounts on the keepers and vet; small mounted recording devices on magnetic arms
at various heights and positions; and a remotely controlled camera on wheels. Viewers were able to witness the voluntary ultrasound of a Snow Leopard – something only keepers and vets who work closely with the animal have ever had the chance to see, until now. This incredible process was repeated for most of the stories in the 10-part series – from medical procedures with Lions at Werribee Open Range Zoo and their eventual move interstate, to the remarkable Asian Small-clawed Otter birth footage at Melbourne Zoo filmed via a tiny hole cut into the side of the animals’ nesting box. And the remarkable efforts of the team at Healesville Sanctuary to save the Critically Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possum. “Filming Mega Zoo was not without its challenges,” Natalie says. “One of the most memorable was working out how a cameraman could safely abseil a 60-metre-high water tower to film our threatened species biologists throwing Bogong Bikkies to test whether they could be dropped by helicopter to feed
Visit 9now.com.au/ mega-zoo to catch up on Mega Zoo episodes
Mountain Pygmy-possums in the wild.” Mega Zoo has provided viewers with new insights into the quality of care provided at Zoos Victoria and a chance for people to learn more about conservation and connect with the Critically Endangered species that we’re dedicated to saving from extinction. ZN
fyi WATCH IT Go behind the scenes, beyond Mega Zoo and visit zoo.org.au/ beyond-mega-zoo
Your monthly tax deductible gift of $15 or more will support us to ensure the animals at our zoos are well cared for every day of the year, and help us fight extinction. Choose which animal species to adopt today at zoo.org.au/animal-adopters
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4/5/21 7:49 pm
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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ANIMAL
The BUTTERFLY
EFFECT
Showcasing the fleeting beauty of tropical butterflies since 1985, Melbourne Zoo’s Butterfly House is beloved by members, visitors and staff alike. WORDS Jo
Stewart
Birdwing butterfly
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that many invertebrates? Turns out, it takes a huge collective effort to keep the space alive with the magic of butterflies.
Male Cruiser butterflies often land on humans, then urinate to dissolve the salt on our skin before drinking it.
Supporting the circle of life
“We breed the butterflies year-round, and they all have different requirements. Some butterfly houses buy the pupa (or chrysalis), then allow the butterflies to emerge, but we breed them all. Looking after the caterpillars is a huge undertaking. It’s a big commitment, but also more satisfying to manage the whole process,” Kate explains. With each species preferring to eat and lay its eggs on different plants, the Zoo’s nursery team work hard to supply the hundreds of potted plants required for each species to breed and survive. As Nursery Supervisor at Melbourne
Zoo, Tom Millane manages several large, heated greenhouse spaces as well as some outdoor growing areas. “Our primary focus is on producing a year-round supply of mainly tropical food plants for the butterflies. We also produce plants to support the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect breeding program,” says Tom. Eggs are constantly being laid, caterpillars are continually hatching and munching on plants before forming
IMAGES: JO HOWELL
I
t’s captured the hearts of many members and visitors, but plenty of staff also consider Melbourne Zoo’s Butterfly House a favourite. Ectotherms Coordinator Kate Pearce’s connection to the Butterfly House goes back decades. “I remember visiting the Butterfly House with my nanna in 1988. A butterfly toy from the giftshop was my prized possession for years. So I’ve got an emotional attachment to the House. It’s special to me, but I know it’s special to many others too,” says Kate. Housing up to 15 mostly tropical and subtropical species from Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern New South Wales, the Butterfly House has 500 to 800 butterflies flying daily. But what does it take to breed and feed
Did you know?
Build a butterflyfriendly backyard
While you won’t find tropical butterflies in Victoria, you can attract local butterfly species to your backyard by minimising or eliminating the use of chemicals and pesticides in your garden. Planting a diverse range of native plants will also support the butterfly life cycle. Try adding nectar-feeding plants (like banksia and native daisies) to attract adult butterflies; and host plants (like native grasses and acacias) for butterflies to lay eggs on. Butterflies can help to pollinate your fruit trees and flowers by collecting pollen on their body and transferring it to other plants in your garden.
chrysalis to emerge and then lay eggs. “We spend 90 per cent of our day growing food plants for invertebrates. We constantly have plants being laid upon and eaten down. Maintaining a year-round supply of tropical plants is challenging in Melbourne’s changeable weather,” explains Tom.
Life in the house
The Butterfly House’s daytime temperature is set to 28 degrees to support the breeding and longevity of the butterflies that can live up to six weeks. Overnight, the temperature is dropped to 22 degrees to signal that it’s time to rest. Each day, fresh pupae are hung up in a cabinet so the public can see them emerging before being released in the afternoon.
“If you wear bright colours, like pink and yellow, they might choose to land on you...”
With new butterflies emerging each day, how are the population numbers monitored? “Every four weeks we do a census count. We reduce the temperature to 22 degrees, so the butterflies remain at rest, then use a tally counter to count them,” says Kate. Members and visitors are typically drawn to the big, bright Cairns Birdwing, but Kate believes all the butterflies are interesting in their own way. “Lurchers are a beautiful basking butterfly. There’s a vine at the top of the creek. You’ll often see them basking there providing great photo opportunities,” Kate says. Although they may land nearby, Kate and the team discourage members and visitors from grabbing the butterflies;
however, “If you wear bright colours, like pink and yellow, they might choose to land on you.” ZN
fyi WARM UP Visit the Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo during winter where it’s always a balmy 28 degrees. Book your free member tickets at zoo.org.au
TAKING FLIGHT See inside the magical Butterfly House at Melbourne Zoo. Watch it here
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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ANIMAL
GET SET FOR THE
Zoo Olympics Who are the strongest, fastest and most limber creatures at Zoos Victoria’s three properties? From the mightiest leapers to the hungriest eaters, we explore the creatures at the top of their game.
GOLD
SILVER
Wallace
BRONZE
Sprinting GOLD: CHEETAH
The world’s fastest land animals, Cheetahs can sprint up to 120km an hour. Once they hit their stride, they spend more time in the air than on the ground – a useful skill when pursuing prey, explains Ben Gulli, Carnivore Keeper at Werribee Open Range Zoo. “They’re only built for short bursts of top speed, so most hunts will last around 30 seconds,” he says. “But when they are that fast, that’s all they need.” Kulinda, the Cheetah who calls Werribee Open Range Zoo home, is incredibly smart, says Ben. “Sometimes when she is chasing her food lure she will predict which corner it is going around and will cut the corner to catch it quicker, with less effort.”
SILVER: LION
SILVER
BRONZE
Leaping
GOLD: GIBBON
One of nature’s great acrobats, gibbons can leap over gaps wider than 10m and brachiate (swing using their arms) as far as 15m. “Gibbons have a remarkable physiology, the elongated bones in their wrists allow for a wide range of movement,” explains Jessica MacDonald, Primate Keeper at Melbourne Zoo. “Gibbons can completely turn and twist using only their wrists, which enables them to launch through the jungle trees. “At Melbourne Zoo we have the Siamang family, which are the biggest of the gibbon species, as well as our Whitecheeked Gibbon pair. Both species also have a wonderful song duet that we often hear at the Zoo,” Jessica says.
SILVER: TIGER
A Lion would never beat a Cheetah in a race, but these big cats hold their own hunting prey over short distances, reaching speeds of 81km an hour.
Have you ever seen Melbourne Zoo’s Sumatran Tiger Indrah grab a meaty treat from her feeding zipline? It’s an apt demonstration of the species’ jumping prowess: tigers can leap approximately 5m vertically and 10m horizontally.
BRONZE: BLACKBUCK
BRONZE: KANGAROO
Also known as Indian Antelopes, Blackbucks can run up to 80km an hour, stride up to 6m and leap 2m in the air. Visit the savannah at Werribee Open Range Zoo to watch these animals glide.
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GOLD
Kangaroos and wallabies are the world’s fastest marsupials, relying on their powerful hind legs to propel them up to 9m forward in a single hop. Check out the jump on the kangaroos next time you visit any one of our three properties.
IMAGES: JO HOWELL, PABLO RIVAS, RICK HAMMOND, ALEX STORER, CORMAC HANRAHAN
WORDS Beth
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Hide & Seek GOLD: PLATYPUS
One of Australia’s most elusive native creatures, Platypus are difficult to spot, with their brown fur, small stature (around 60cm) and shy nature keeping them well-hidden in their watery homes.
SILVER: SNOW LEOPARD
Grey-white fur covered in spots and rosettes provides the ultimate camouflage for these ‘ghosts of the mountain’, allowing them to disappear within their snow and rock-laden habitat. See if you can spot Miska and her cubs next time you’re at Melbourne Zoo.
BRONZE: SERVAL
These African cats appear to have both spots and stripes, though the latter are actually large spots blended together. Their unique coat makes Servals tricky to find in the wild.
SLOW AND STEADY You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but Aldabra Giant Tortoises are a different matter altogether. Melbourne Zoo’s oldest residents regularly undertake training exercises to support their health and wellbeing, learning to open their mouths for beak examinations, lift their feet so keepers can check for cracks and dryness, offer voluntary blood draw and step onto scales for weight monitoring. Some of the health checks use a target training program, which began in 2006. Keepers show the tortoises a red target (one of the few colours they can see) and the animals lift their feet in exchange for a reward. “The tortoises do very well with this training,” explains Ectotherms Keeper Raelene Hobbs, who adds that even though the tortoises are getting on in years – they range in age from 90 to 110 – it doesn’t take them long to master new skills. “Because we use high-value food items for reinforcement, such as fruit, they remember quickly. Even though they are asleep for three months of the year.”
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
Eating GOLD: ELEPHANT
There’s no beating Melbourne Zoo’s matriarch Asian Elephant, Mek Kapah, when it comes to eating. Each week, she consumes almost 125kg of vegetables and greens, 52kg of hay, 42kg of teff (a seed), plus branches, bran mixture and training treats.
SILVER: GIRAFFE
They may be slender, but each of the five giraffes at Werribee Open Range Zoo eats 20 to 25kg of food a day, feasting on a diet of ungulate pellets, lucerne hay and branches – according to Savannah Keeper Deb Jones. “The giraffes spend more than half of their day eating,” Deb says. Unsurprisingly, this equates to a lot of dung; Deb reveals that two wheelbarrows full are removed from the night enclosure each day (with plenty also found throughout the savannah).
BRONZE: TASMANIAN DEVIL
These hungry marsupials can swallow up to 40 per cent of their bodyweight in just 30 minutes! Healesville Sanctuary and Melbourne Zoo both care for this fascinating native species. ZN
fyi CHEER FROM THE SIDELINES Go to zoo.org.au to book your free Zoo Member tickets. They can’t wait to see you.
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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COMMUNITY
CALLING FOR change For Zoo Member Jack Ryding, a pledge to recycle phones during last year’s lockdown has given his passion for primates a purpose.
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Wallace
n term three last year, as students across Melbourne were in the throes of remote learning, 10-year-old (who was nine at the time) Jack Ryding seized an opportunity to help one of his favourite animals. “My school shared a link to the Melbourne Zoo website and the ‘They’re Calling On You’ campaign,” Jack says. “I wanted to go a bit further, so I started collecting phones.” Jack got to work making posters, asking people to donate their unwanted devices, which his mum Mia then circulated on social media. By January this year, he’d collected 36 phones. Connected by his newfound passion, Jack enjoyed a behind-the-scenes encounter with the resident gorillas
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Meet Jack – which strengthened his love for the primates. “I’ve got a big interest in monkeys and apes, especially Orangutans,” Jack says. It’s their close relationship to people that makes him determined to protect them. “They’re basically humans,” he says. Now that Jack has caught the conservation bug, he’s keen to do more. He plans to start gathering phones again and will be urging his friends to get involved, too. “I say to them that it’s not only good for the gorillas, but it’s also fun seeing how much you collect along the way,” he says. “Once you collect the phones and hand them in, it’s a really good feeling because you know that you’ve done something good.”
Above: Jack Ryding. Clockwise from top left: Western Lowland Gorilla; Vervet Monkey; Western Lowland Gorilla; Orangutan.
IMAGES: JO HOWELL, ALEX STORER
WORDS Beth
Did you know? Saving gorillas, one phone at a time
Coltan mining poses one of the greatest threats to Eastern Lowland Gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The nation provides around 70 per cent of the world’s supply of coltan, which is a key material used in making mobile phones. Mining this in-demand resource causes massive destruction of gorilla habitat and brings people (and our diseases) into closer contact with wildlife. To support these critically endangered species, Zoos Victoria launched ‘They’re Calling On You’ – a campaign that encourages people to donate their mobile phones, so they can be recycled or reused. Funds raised are split between conservation programs at Zoos Victoria and the Gorilla Doctors, an organisation working with sick and injured gorillas in the wild. When Zoos Victoria Reproductive Biologist Dr Marissa Parrott visited the DRC in 2017, she saw the important outcomes of the Gorilla Doctors’ work to protect local communities and wildlife. “As people and gorillas come into closer contact, diseases (such as COVID-19 and recent outbreaks of Ebola) can be spread into wild areas, adding to the importance of Gorilla Doctors to help manage the health and future of these
Because of our genetic similarities, gorillas are at risk of catching the same diseases and infections as humans. During the Melbourne lockdown, keepers wore masks while preparing food to protect our primates.
beautiful apes,” she says. The Gorilla Doctors operate under the principle that protecting the wildlife is not possible without helping the local communities and their livestock, too. A ‘one health’ approach is the only way to ensure this. Having fought to survive a rare form of malaria herself – a disease that also affects gorillas – Dr Parrott has a personal appreciation for the lifesaving work being done. “It is a horrific and painful disease, and one that is often fatal,” she explains. “This is why I am so grateful that Gorilla Doctors are out protecting, treating and saving the gorillas from diseases like malaria. They are literally saving a species – one gorilla at a time.” Visit www.zoo.org.au/phones to get involved. ZN
fyi SUPPORT OUR CAUSE Join the fight to save gorillas by donating your old phone to the cause. And don’t forget to visit this precious species at Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
HELP SAVE THE GORILLAS Find out more about the They’re Calling on You campaign. Watch it here
ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • WINTER 2021 •
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ANIMAL
THE ZOO OF US Say hello to the
zebras&their keeper
Resistance, one of the Savannah Keepers at Werribee Open Range Zoo, is kept on his toes by the intelligent dazzle of zebras. WORDS
Noah Grundy PHOTOGRAPHY Jo Howell
Did you know? There are three species of zebras. Plains Zebras are the most common, but there are also Mountain Zebras, which prefer to live on mountain terrain, and Grevy’s Zebras – the largest and rarest of the three species.
From the keeper: Q How long have you worked at
Werribee Open Range Zoo?
A I’ve worked here for five years now. I spend my time on the savannah, where we look after zebras, rhinos, giraffes, eland, oryx, waterbuck and ostriches. Q Can you tell us about the zebras
in your care?
A We currently have nine zebras. Zaide is a fiercely competent mother, giving her foals Mudhe, Zari and Zola room to explore and gain confidence. Melako, our breeding male, is the tough protector of the group. He makes sure his son, Mudhe, knows who’s boss. Zola, the baby of the group, has formed an unlikely friendship with our eland herd. Most mornings, she tries to sneak off from mum to join the eland in their yard for breakfast. Q Why do you love working with zebras? A The group dynamics are always interesting to watch. Melako often moves between the groups of girls to make sure they know he’s the stallion looking after them. Zari is an excellent babysitter for her younger sister Zola, stopping her from getting into too much trouble. Q What does your role as a zebra
keeper involve?
A Apart from daily feeding and caring for the zebras, observation is crucial when working with a breeding group. We monitor pregnancy progression and predict when a foal is likely to be born. That way, we can anticipate anything they might need for birthing and the first few weeks of raising a foal. Q What do the zebras do during the day? A They’re very social animals. They spend the majority of their time grazing and resting together. Our zebras enjoy moving around with the eland herd – tending to rest wherever they settle. The young males in particular interact with each other by play fighting. We also see dust bathing, where the zebras roll around in dirt patches to cool down and clean their skin. Q What are the differences between
zebras and horses?
A Zebras have feisty personalities, so they’re not suited to being domesticated. Horses grow long manes and tail hair compared to zebras, which have shorter and stumpier hair in these areas. But the most notable difference has to be zebras’ distinctive black and white stripes. ZN
Quick questions What are the zebras’ favourite snacks? Hoof stock pellets, lucerne hay and carrots. Which is the cheekiest zebra? Zaide – we always catch her in our rear-vision mirror nibbling hay off the back of the ute. She has also passed her cheeky nature onto her sister Zola. When is the best time to visit the zebras? Morning and evening are the best times to see the zebras up and about playing and feeding.
Did you know? A group of zebras is called a dazzle. According to zoologists, zebras use their stripes, in a group, to confuse predators. Dazzling them with their unique patterns.
fyi VISIT THEM Visit the zebras at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Go to zoo.org.au to book your free Zoo Member tickets.
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COMMUNITY
WILD AROUND THE WORLD The Sister Zoo Program helps zoos in developing countries become champions of conservation. WORDS Alegria
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Alano
F
ighting animal extinction is a driver at Zoos Victoria and everyone plays a role. “It comes from the top of our organisation,” says Chris Banks, Manager of Conservation Partnerships. “The Zoos Victoria Board is focused on conservation. If you’re selling tickets, you talk to members and
Working in tandem
The Sister Zoo program helps by upskilling zoo staff. “I work with managers and directors as they identify what their staff training and development needs are,” Chris says. He then finds Zoos Victoria staff with the expertise needed to help meet those needs. Before the COVID-19 pandemic halted tourism and travel, up to $30,000 a year was allocated to facilitate in‑person training with each sister zoo. This model has led to positive outcomes for Port Moresby Nature Park. Since the program began in 2013, education improved with student attendance at the Park rising by 850 per cent. It’s also become the first local attraction to be inducted into TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame. Zoos Victoria staff see benefits too. “The Port Moresby relationship has involved 30 staff from both organisations. Our staff learn about looking after animals in a different
IMAGES: CHRIS BANKS
Working for the
visitors and tell a conservation story. Everybody has a role.” Since 1992, the organisation’s role has been that of a steward of conservation. In 2005, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) recommended that developed zoos support zoos that lack resources, but which are committed to improvement – the latter point is critical. This call prompted Zoos Victoria to develop the Sister Zoo program. The program focuses on empowering zoo staff in developing countries with skills and training to create zoo-based conservation organisations. Today, the Sister Zoos program runs in Port Moresby Nature Park in Papua New Guinea, and the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe, Uganda. These zoos represent international protection-priority regions – Oceania and sub-Saharan Africa. Chris explains, “We see those zoos as conservation hubs, and they see themselves in the same way. They want to ensure that through them, both Papua New Guinea and Uganda are rich with wildlife into the future. Those are aspirational goals and both zoos are on the way to doing that.”
country and context. It gives them a broader perspective,” says Chris.
A beneficial partnership
Although only finalised in 2019, David Musingo, Head of Education and Information at UWEC, has high hopes for the partnership. “Training will help staff improve planning, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of UWEC programs,” says David. It will also improve animal welfare and management, vet services, endangered or endemic species breeding and research. The pandemic forced UWEC to close for five months and a decrease in international and student visits has impacted funding. “Since reopening, it does not generate enough revenue to sustain its programs,” says David. This includes salaries, maintenance, animal food, education programs, marketing and animal rescues. David hopes that the lessons learned by Zoos Victoria during COVID-19 will help UWEC “sail through this difficult period”. A six-month Zoos Victoria closure made it difficult to run Sister Zoo programs in 2020. After months of limited activity, remote online-training began in early 2021 due to international travel bans. “The training focus for both organisations is teachers, educators and keepers – so animal care, welfare and animal training,” says Chris. COVID-19 and conservation require a global effort and Zoos Victoria is committed to supporting our sister zoos through both. “We have amazing staff so we have an obligation to share their expertise with our friends in Port Moresby and Entebbe.” ZN
Did you know? Your membership helps us help Sister Zoos.
fyi SISTER ZOO INITIATIVE Learn more about our global partnerships by visiting zoo.org.au/fighting-extinction/ global-programs/sister-zoos
Clockwise from left: Shoebill Stork (native to tropical east Africa), Chris with UWEC’s keepers, Chimpanzee exhibit at UWEC, School children queuing at UWEC’s front entry.
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SUSTAINABILITY
Food for thought Zoos Victoria’s revamped food menus champion local producers while putting sustainability and plant-based eating in the spotlight. WORDS Jo
Stewart
Christmas in July
T
he next time you visit one of the three Zoo properties be sure to pack your appetite. A refreshed menu filled with healthy and tasty options is now on offer with single-use, plastic-free packaging ensuring that the environmental impact of your meal is greatly reduced. As Zoos Victoria’s Head of Food and Beverage, David Martin oversees the variety of foods on offer at the cafes,
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restaurants and kiosks of Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. A trained chef with 35 years’ experience, David explains that menu items are selected to reflect seasonality, sustainability and the shifting tastes of members and visitors. “Our menus are reviewed every quarter and are refreshed to reflect the season. When creating new menus, we look at the sales history as well as member
feedback. Our members have a big say about what goes on the menu,” says David. With each property having its own unique personality and flavour, David was keen to keep regional specialities on the menu (“Werribee makes a mean tagine,” he notes) while also reflecting changing tastes and values, such as the introduction of more plantbased options and a commitment to eliminating plastic waste.
IMAGES: JUDY ROBERTSON, GEMMA ORTLIPP
Join us for a Christmas in July lun ch with all the trimmings at Melbourn e Zoo this July. For further details and to book visit zoo.org.au/melbourne/ whats-on/events/christmas-in-jul y. Check out the member exclusive discount. Places are limited so book early to ensure you don’t miss out.
“Zoo favourites like burgers and chips are still on the menu, but we’ve added more healthy options like fresh salads and wellness bowls.”
Sustainable eats
You may fly less, cycle more and save water at home, but did you know that your diet can dramatically impact your carbon footprint? The production, transportation and disposal of food (and its packaging) results in a large amount of carbon emissions and water wastage. Thankfully, this is one area we can all make changes for the better with just a few tweaks to what we put on our plate. To help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill, Zoos Victoria has removed all single-use plastics from its food outlets across all three properties. “We’ve eradicated all single-use plastics. Our food packaging is now eco-friendly and biodegradable. There’s no bottled water available for sale on site. You can buy water in recyclable aluminium cans and we’ve got public access drinking-water stations and compostable BioCups available throughout the Zoos. Even the tickets in our deli display cabinets aren’t laminated,” explains David. Most of the fresh fruit and vegetables on the menu are sourced from Victoria to both support local producers and reduce food miles associated with transporting foods from faraway places. To lessen impacts on wild fish populations, only sustainably caught seafood such as farmed barramundi appears on the menu. “Supporting Australian farmers and producers is a key part of what we do, so we source our produce from local suppliers as much as possible. For example, we only use chips made from Australian potatoes. We sell 55,000 kilos of chips a year across the three properties. Sure, we can get a cheaper chip from overseas, but our mandate is to only use Australian potatoes,” says David.
Plant power
From plant-based loaded fries to meat-free burgers, the next time you visit us, you’ll also notice plenty of vegetarian options on the menu. David explains that plant-based foods naturally have a lower carbon footprint than meat, but the inclusion of more vegan and vegetarian options was also driven by member and visitor demand for more meat-free meals. Feedback from members also indicated a desire for healthier, lighter options to complement the fastfood classics. “Zoo favourites like burgers and chips are still on the menu, but we’ve added more healthy options like fresh salads and wellness bowls,” says David, who adds that Healesville Sanctuary is especially well-placed to source incredible local produce. “Healesville does really beautiful, fresh, seasonal food. They draw on the local produce as much as possible. It’s a real advantage to be in such a food-production hotspot as the Yarra Valley region.” ZN
fyi “We’ve eradicated all single-use plastics. Our food packaging is now eco-friendly and biodegradable.”
COME DINE WITH US Try the new options for yourself at all three Zoo properties. Visit today.
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ANIMAL
HATCHES & matches
The zoos are places for love, new life and, sadly, sometimes loss. Check out the latest animal happenings at your zoos.
MELBOURNE ZOO
FIJIAN CRESTED IGUANAS Last year, Melbourne Zoo successfully bred seven Fijian crested iguanas.
WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO
WELCOME ZOLA We welcomed the Plains Zebra foal Zola to the savannah at Werribee Open Range Zoo early this year. She is fitting in well with the herd. MELBOURNE ZOO
FAREWELL TARWIN
MELBOURNE ZOO
HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY
WELCOME KIPP
FEATHERTAIL GLIDERS
A Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat male, Kipp, arrived at Melbourne Zoo in February for breeding with our two girls. This species of wombat is classified as Near Threatened in the wild.
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Two Feathertail Gliders arrived at Healesville Sanctuary at the start of the year from Taronga Zoo. They have both since given birth.
IMAGES: RICK HAMMOND, JO HOWELL, CORMAC HANRAHAN
In March, Melbourne Zoo farewelled much-loved Australian Fur Seal, Tarwin (at an estimated age of 24). Tarwin had a number of age-related illnesses that impacted her quality of life, and her keepers made the difficult and kind decision to say goodbye.
COMMUNITY
GETTING SOCIAL
OVER TO YOU
We love your photos and stories — keep tagging #zoomember so we can share your stories.
Hi there!
Winter indoor play spaces
Checking out the savannah @family.j.adventures
Melbourne Zoo – Keeper Kids
Stay warm, get inspired and keep learning at Melbourne Zoo’s dedicated indoor play and education space for children. At Keeper Kids, young wildlife lovers can learn about how the Zoo’s veterinarians and keepers look after the animals and find out more about some of the endangered species the Zoo is working to protect. There’s dress-ups, toys and games, and other fun activities specially designed for 3–8-year-olds. So, even if it’s wet and cold outside, it’s always a perfect day at the Zoo in Keeper Kids.
Seal life!
Werribee Open Range Zoo – Ranger Kids
Ranger Kids at Werribee Open Range Zoo is an indoor play space where kids can practise being veterinarians and rangers, while learning more about the many African animals that reside at the Zoo. There is a mini-helicopter that children can climb into and an African-themed camp. The space is also where the Zoo’s snakes, lizards and tortoises call home – but don’t worry, they’re safely tucked away in their homes. Open 10am–4.30pm daily.
Under the sea @wrangamel
Found you
Healesville Sanctuary – Future Vets
The Future Vets play area at Healesville Sanctuary can be found within the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. This role-play area is always extremely popular with our young members and visitors who are able to dress up as a veterinarian or keeper and care for injured animal plush toys. This role play helps them learn about what it takes to care for animals that need our help.
Spot the hippo @mummyandace
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There’s nowhere we haven’t been!
