CONTEMPORARY THINKING ON WILDLIFE & ZOO-BASED CONSERVATION
ISSUE #12 AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
ZOOS VICTO RIA MAGAZINE
Birds of a feather
the species we’re trying to save
Protecting the Platypus Best images of 2021 Elephant update zoo.org.au/donate
“We have become the stewards of our planet, and we have amazing powers – to destroy, or protect, we have that power and I think ethically we are obligated where we can to preserve species, to do what we can to stop them from going extinct.” ELIZABETH FINKEL / CONSERVATION PARTNER
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CONTENTS
Hello! As the cooler weather sets in and autumn displays its spectacular show of colour, I’m enjoying the simple pleasures of the changing seasons. I’m so proud of the way the zoo community has adapted over the past couple of years and, thanks to the support of our donors, carried on with our work fighting wildlife extinction. Together, we have ensured the animals in our zoos continue to be well cared for and our community remains connected. Together, we are a formidable force for good – breeding and releasing endangered species, educating and inspiring the next generation, and creating beautiful spaces for people to immerse themselves in nature. In this edition of ZV magazine, we’re sharing incredible conservation success stories, including the endangered birds we’re trying to save and our ambitious plan to protect the iconic Platypus. We also have a stunning selection of our favourite photos from the past year.
04 Birds of a feather
Saving our birds
08 2021 in images
The best photos to sum up last year
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Protecting the Platypus
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Land conservation
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Ways of giving
I hope you enjoy reading this edition. Thank you for your ongoing support of all that we do.
Plus Dr Jenny Gray / CEO, Zoos Victoria
22 Elephant update 23 Partners and donors 3
AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
CONSERVATION
Birds of a feather Many of our most unique bird species are facing extinction. Zoos Victoria has hatched a plan to save them, but needs your help to see it through.
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Convery Constantinesco
ne of Dr Paul Eden’s earliest memories of the Orange-bellied Parrot was hearing them described by former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett as “a trumpedup corella”. It was 1996 and the state government was in the throes of a debate about whether to move the Coode Island chemical facility south-west to Point Cook – a wintering ground for one of Australia’s two Critically Endangered migrating parrots. Those events left an indelible mark on Dr Eden, now Associate Veterinarian at Werribee Open Range Zoo. “The presence of the Orange-bellied Parrot in this location caused some controversy at the time,” says Dr Eden. “Many years later, I found myself working with these special birds as part of the breeding program at Healesville Sanctuary and felt very lucky to be working with such a rare and precious animal.”
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IMAGE: JO HOWELL
WORDS Stephanie ILLUSTRATIONS Phil
BIRD CONSERVATION
Dr Eden has been working with Orangebellied Parrots for nine years now, half of that time spent as chair of the Veterinary Technical Reference Group, an expert panel of veterinarians that provides advice and recommendations to the team tasked with saving the bird. It’s one of the 27 key local threatened species that Zoos Victoria is focusing its efforts on trying to save. Six Australian bird species in total have made the list – including the Helmeted and Regent honeyeaters, Mallee Emu-wren, Plainswanderer and Swift Parrot – and Zoos Victoria is embarking on a campaign to raise awareness of their plight. “We should cherish the amount of birdlife we have in Australia,” says Dr Eden. “There are so many things that threaten the future survival of these species – loss of habitat, impacts of climate change, plastics and other pollution, predation and disturbance from introduced animals (including our pets) and diseases, just to name a few.” There are some actions we can take individually to help mitigate these factors, such as keeping our cats indoors, minimising plastic use where possible and growing a wildlife-friendly garden. But saving some of these animals requires more intensive intervention – and funding. Captive breeding programs in particular need a large amount of capital to get established, then ongoing support to be maintained. For some species, these programs are a critical weapon in the fight against extinction – perhaps none more so than for the little Orange-bellied Parrot. “Over many years, there has been considerable effort put into ensuring the Orange-bellied Parrot doesn’t become extinct on our watch,” says Dr Eden. “Things were very close in 2017, when only 18 birds returned to the breeding grounds, and of these, only three were female. This effectively meant a breeding population of only six birds – three female, three male – and would have produced a very poor result for that breeding season were it not for the release of captive-bred Orange-bellied Parrots to support breeding efforts in the wild.”
We should cherish the amount of birdlife we have in Australia. There are so many things that threaten the future survival of these species... DR PAUL EDEN / ASSOCIATE VETERINARIAN AT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO
The recovery team are crossing their fingers that things are looking up. After repeated interventions, the most recent season saw 70 Orange-bellied Parrots return to their breeding grounds at Melaleuca, in the remote Tasmanian wilderness – “the most birds returning in at least 15 years”, says Dr Eden. “So, there is hope we can secure a future for this species; however, this work will need to continue for many years to come.” Lori Kravos, Relationship Manager Philanthropy at Zoos Victoria, says the goodwill of donors has been absolutely essential to the success of captive breeding programs so far, but this is the first time birds have been the focus of a major campaign.
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Above Vet Dr Paul Eden checking the wings of an Orange-bellied Parrot during a routine procedure.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
CONSERVATION
We wouldn’t be able to take these critical conservation actions without our philanthropic conservation partners. LORI KRAVOS / ZOOS VICTORIA RELATIONSHIP MANAGER, PHILANTHROPY
“We’ve done a lot of great work with our conservation partners to help support endangered native birds – for example, with the release of Plains-wanderers,” Lori says. Plains-wanderers are secretive, visually understated ground-dwelling birds that can be found – if you’re lucky – in the semiarid grasslands of north-western Victoria or the New South Wales Riverina. Over the past decade though, the number of Plainswanderers in the wild has dramatically declined. While they used to be found along the east coast of Australia, the best estimates suggest there may be as few as 500 left in the wild. Part of the challenge of saving the Plainswanderer is ensuring they, like Goldilocks, have everything “ just right”: from the vegetation in their habitats to when and how they interact with other birds.
The purpose-built aviary for Plains-wanderers, which opened at Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2017, is integral to helping understand these particularities. It’s also been the place where the first cohort of captive-bred Plainswanderers were born and raised. In April 2021, the first wave of captive-bred Plains-wanderers was released into the wild – the first of six releases in a three-year trial to help the birds’ rescue team understand what they need to do to ensure the species’ survival. “Donors helped to build those essential facilities and even, in some cases, helped fund releasing the birds themselves,” says Lori. “We wouldn’t be able to take these critical conservation actions without our philanthropic conservation partners.” Captive breeding is also essential for the survival of two imperilled honeyeaters: the Regent Honeyeater and the Helmeted Honeyeater. Zoos Victoria runs a captivebreeding program for the Helmeted Honeyeater at Healesville Sanctuary and supports a program for captive breeding of Regent Honeyeaters at Taronga Zoo. These birds are under threat primarily from habitat loss, and the release of captive-bred birds into the wild population has been essential, not only to sustain numbers, but also to maintain genetic diversity. In the case of the Helmeted Honeyeater, this has involved careful replication of naturally
SIX AUSTRALIAN BIRD SPECIES
ON THE 27 FIGHTING EXTINCTION SPECIES LIST
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Orange-bellied Parrot
Helmeted Honeyeater 6
Regent Honeyeater
BIRD CONSERVATION
occurring interbreeding with a closely related subspecies, the Yellow-tufted Honeyeater. There are about 200 Helmeted Honeyeaters in the wild at the moment – a figure that represents huge strides towards the bird’s recovery; at its most critically endangered, there were as few as 50. But it’s not out of the woods yet. Neither is the Swift Parrot, which – like the Orange-bellied Parrot – migrates between the mainland and Tasmania to breed. Research found that one of the biggest obstacles to its survival is nest predation from Sugar Gliders, which are not native to Tasmania. Meanwhile, the fight for the Mallee Emu-wren is just beginning, after bushfires wiped out remnant populations in South Australia, and it disappeared from its former known habitat in Victoria. Lori says that what unites people who donate to support these critical conservation efforts is a strong desire to be a catalyst for positive change. “People want to make a difference. They look at all the things that have meaning and value and have brought them joy over the years, and they want to give back for future generations,” she says. “Many of our donors tell beautiful stories about the animals they used to see in the wild, and how prevalent they used to be. They feel so sad for their own grandchildren that this is not the case today. But we’ve been able to show that when we all work together we can make a difference.”
GIVE IF YOU CAN
Mallee Emu-wren
Plainswanderer
Swift Parrot 7
To support our work saving some of Victoria’s most iconic birds visit zoo.org.au/donate AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
ANIMAL
Best images of 2021 A snapshot of animal care and conservation at Zoos Victoria.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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1 KANZI
6 ECHIDNA
2 ELEPHANT HERD
Echidna Ringo explores a new termite mound enrichment feeder.
Western Lowland Gorilla Kanzi – five-year-old female. Some of the elephant herd touching trunks.
3 FURAHA’S FIRST FOAL
Furaha the Plains Zebra becomes a mother to foal, Falah.
4 DETECTION DOG KIP
TERMITE MOUND
7 GRASSLAND
EARLESS DRAGON
A Grassland Earless Dragon stands on a rock in its exhibit in Keeper Kids, Melbourne Zoo.
8 GIANT
BURROWING FROG TADPOLES
Wildlife Detection Dog Kip trains in the Coranderrk bushland.
Keeper Adam checks on the tanks of Vulnerable Giant Burrowing Frog tadpoles.
5 AUSTRALIAN
9 PHILIPPINES
Australian Fur seal, silhouette, swimming underwater at Wild Sea, Melbourne Zoo.
The Philippines Crocodile explores its newly renovated habitat at Melbourne Zoo.
FUR SEAL
CROCODILE
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ANIMAL
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SNOW LEOPARD
Young Female Snow Leopard, Asha, standing on rock ledge. 11 ALDABRA GIANT TORTOISE TRAINING
The keepers train Aldabra Giant Tortoises to present and lift their feet to allow health checks. This tortoise is enjoying a food reward.
SIAMANG GIBBONS CALLING 12
Young, Siamang Gibbon vocalising with her father.
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13 PLAINSWANDERER
Preparing Plains-wanderers for release. Health checks and fitting of backpack style location trackers at Werribee Open Range Zoo Vet Clinic. 14 KOALA HEALTH CHECKS
Field trip of veterinarian Dr Leanne Wicker with Fiona Ryan doing koala health checks in Mallacoota, January 2021.
Your monthly tax deductible gift of $15 or more will support us to ensure the animals at our zoos continue to receive world-class care every day of the year, and help us fight extinction. Choose which animal species to adopt today at zoo.org.au/animal-adopters How you're having an impact
Giving world-class care to the animals at our three zoos.
Providing enrichment to the animals in our care.
Supporting conservation work to fight extinction.
ANIMAL
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PLATYPUS
Digging deep for the Platypus The Platypus is under threat, but a dedicated team from Healesville Sanctuary is making progress towards boosting its odds of survival, thanks to the generosity of donors. WORDS Steve
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Colquhoun
ILLUSTRATION
Phil Constantinesco
t’s an unfortunate paradox that some of the quirkier traits that make the Platypus one of Australia’s most loved and recognisable native fauna might also be contributing to a concerning decline in species numbers. The unique living habits of the endearingly enigmatic Platypus have so far frustrated efforts to track its numbers in the wild and finalise a plan to protect the species. As a result, the Platypus was officially declared ‘under threat’ in Victoria for the first time in 2021. Attempts to better understand the challenges facing the mainly nocturnal creature have been beset by difficulties, says Dr Jess, Healesville Sanctuary Keeper, Life Sciences. “It involves fairly labour-intensive surveys overnight to try to capture, tag and release the animals,” she says. “But they’re very aware of their environment, and they’re very trap-shy. You can catch an animal and then never catch it again, but you don’t know if that’s because it’s moved away, it’s died, or it’s there and just not going into your net.” The lack of verifiable data means no firm plan can be ratified to help the elusive mammal, which faces threats from habitat
FACT FILE
destruction, fire and drought, plus predators including foxes and dogs. But two important developments could change the Platypus’ fortunes. The first is an extraordinary response from Zoos Victoria donors to an end-of-year fundraising campaign. A total of $214,000 will fund much-needed upgrades to the Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Platypus Conservation Centre. Regarded as the world’s leading authority on Platypuses, it’s the home to both the largest captive collection and the only active breeding program. Healesville Sanctuary has continuously maintained a small colony of Platypus since the Sanctuary opened in 1934. Although it draws tourists from all over the world, the centre’s last major update was around 30 years ago. In order to continue to treat and rehabilitate injured animals and return them to the wild, significant extensions and remodelling are required. Angie Retallack, Zoos Victoria’s General Manager of Philanthropy, who oversees all fundraising activity, was overwhelmed by the response to the Platypus campaign, including a record attendance for the Platypus webinar presentation watched online by donors across
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Name Platypus Class Mammal Status Vulnerable (VIC), Near Threatened (QLD, TAS, NSW)
Region Australia (QLD, NSW, VIC and TAS)
AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
ANIMAL
Australia and from around the world, and Zoos Victoria Members. “Our end-of-year campaign identifies a different target each year and typically we raise somewhere around $150,000, so this was an extraordinary response,” Angie says. “There is an enormous amount of passion out there for the Platypus. We had some single donations of $25,000, and several others for $5000. The generosity we have seen across the board really makes a huge difference.” One $25,000 donation came from a regular personal contributor, while another came from someone who had never made a donation before. As well as pledging $50,000 annually to the campaign, that person committed to an ongoing annual donation towards the salary of a staff member on the Platypus team. “She lives in Canberra, but she’s visited the Platypuses at Healesville Sanctuary, and this experience made a lasting impression on her,” Angie says. “It’s incredibly generous.” Thanks must also go to long-time anonymous donors who have made a lead gift of $150,000 towards the Endowment Fund to help run the Platypus Conservation Centre. The combined donations will help build ZVMAG
Above (left to right) a Platypus glides through the water at Sidney Myer World of Platypus at Healesville Sanctuary; newest Detection Dog, Kip, is ready to begin the important work of tracking Platypus.
new rehabilitation areas, both for Platypuses with short-term medical needs and for those requiring longer, more intensive treatment, Dr Jess says. “Even the newest facilities are 30 years old. We’ve learned a lot more about Platypus biology and welfare since then,” she says. “We’re also hoping to renew or rebuild the facilities for the animals that live here, hopefully improving our breeding success based on some of that new science.”
An unlikely ally
Another innovation is as exciting as it is unusual. In an odd turn of events, a traditional predator of the Platypus has the chance to become its saviour. Dogs are known to use their well-developed sense of smell to harass and sometimes injure Platypuses; now, a team of canines is being trained under supervision to help researchers identify ‘live’ Platypus burrows. The newest graduate from the training program is Kip, a kelpie-cross who will begin working with a team of researchers to help pinpoint live Platypuses within their burrows. If successful, a reliable census could finally generate the data and insights needed to protect the mammal.
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PLATYPUS
Until now, it has been exceptionally difficult to locate and study Platypuses in the burrows they make in the muddy banks of freshwater rivers. “They’re little brown animals living in a brown habitat,” Dr Jess says. “They spend most of their time swimming underwater or sleeping underground, and they’re nocturnal. They’re all things that aren’t that compatible with humans.” The trial of detection dogs has received ethics approval, and is proceeding to refine the search technique. “A wild Platypus will use multiple different burrows. We don’t want the dog to tell us where a Platypus burrow is. We want it to tell us where the Platypus is,” she says. “So it’s got to differentiate the live-animal smell from an area that was used recently. They can do that. You can even train dogs to identify individuals within a population. That’s how good they are.”
A PLEDGE FOR THE FUTURE Zoos Victoria is calling on our donors to help continue the important work we do in conservation and education for the iconic Platypus. The Sidney Myer World of Platypus (later joined by the Tales of Platypus Creek Arena) was built in 1994 and is rapidly ageing. Unfortunately it is becoming increasingly difficult to bring the Platypus to our members and visitors in an engaging way that also meets our growing understanding of the animal’s welfare and biological needs.
A high-cost operation
While the recent fundraiser netted a generous windfall, alongside the $5 million in funding allocated by the Victoria Government to build the new Australian Platypus Conservation Centre at Healesville Sanctuary, more donations are needed. The ongoing cost of keeping Platypuses ranges from an astonishing food bill to medical facilities and equipment, plus the upkeep of several habitats. “In any sort of aquarium, you can usually have a guess at what you think it’s going to cost, and then add a couple of zeros,” Dr Jess says. “Water quality is really important, and not just swimming pool-style filtration, either. It has to have sterilisation to help with disease control because the animals defecate in the water, so we need to remove all of that.” Dr Jess has worked at Healesville with the Platypus for 15 years, and remains as entranced by the species as ever. “The thing that captures me most about them is their inquisitiveness and playfulness,” she says. “When they think nobody’s watching, all the silly things they do.”
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We are hoping to raise $5 million for the Endowment Fund, which will help fund the ongoing operation of the centre. This money will also go towards research, conservation and the protection of this species long into the future.
There is an enormous amount of passion out there for the Platypus.
WANT TO HELP?
ANGIE RETALLACK / ZOOS VICTORIA’S GENERAL MANAGER OF PHILANTHROPY
Donate to the Platypus campaign by visiting zoo.org.au/donate/conservation-partners
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CONSERVATION
Restoring balance From rehabilitating habitat to working with landowners to manage vital tracts of land, environmental conservation is a key part of Zoos Victoria’s threatened species recovery programs. Stewart
C
aptive breeding programs can underpin the recovery of threatened species, but there’s another crucial element involved in safeguarding the future of native species: habitat. Conserving and creating healthy ecosystems is essential to the future of Australia’s native species. ZVMAG
Grazier Andy McGillivray understands this. Having spent a large proportion of his life living and working on the land, the Zoos Victoria donor and his wife Judy have two Trust for Nature covenants protecting a portion of grassland on his 3600-hectare property in north central Victoria. This protected land is home to the Critically Endangered Plains-wanderer, a
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native bird species being brought back from the brink by Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction program. A small number of Plains-wanderers were taken from Andy’s property to Werribee Open Range Zoo’s captive breeding program. As a result, Plains-wanderers have been released back onto his property – although to look at it, you wouldn’t know.
IMAGES: JO HOWELL
WORDS Jo
LAND PROTECTION
I don’t think we’re doing anything special. We’re looking after the land, and the land in return looks after us. ANDY McGILLIVRAY / GRAZIER
“They’re very hard to see. You mostly only see these birds at night, but I’m probably one of the few people to have seen them during the day. When I do see them, it’s like winning the lottery,” says Andy, who adds that he’s “absolutely chuffed” to have Plains-wanderers on his land. Managing the height of grass on the property is key to ensuring that Plainswanderers have the ideal habitat. “Even though there’s a covenant on the land, I still graze it because the Plains-wanderers don’t like high grass. Many people think that you’d lock the area up and the Plainswanderer would survive. Well, it doesn’t work that way. We need to keep the grass at a level that’s just right for them,” Andy explains.
Managing the grass height has been tricky in the past two years with good rain encouraging prolific grass growth. Andy puts cattle on the land to eat the grass, and once the grass is at a suitable height for Plainswanderers, he takes the cattle off again. “Overgrazing can be awful but under grazing can be just as bad,” says Andy. Managing the height of the grass requires some extra thought and care, but Andy doesn’t mind. “I don’t think we’re doing anything special. We’re looking after the land, and the land in return looks after us. As long as we’re not overgrazing or cultivating crops on the land, it’s good for Plains-wanderers,” he says.
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Top (left to right) Researchers release a Plains-wanderer; a Plainswanderer sits in the grass.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
CONSERVATION
Community key to conservation
Even when threatened species are released on Crown land, private landholders still have a role to play. Zoo Victoria’s successful release of Eastern Barred Bandicoots on French Island in 2019 couldn’t have happened without two key elements: the right environment and supportive locals. Eastern Barred Bandicoots aren’t particularly fussy about where they live yet finding suitable habitats for the small marsupials is still challenging. “Generally, they like open grassland areas for foraging, next to areas with bushes and trees. They seem happy living in most places because they’ll eat any invertebrate they find,” says Dr Amy Coetsee, Threatened Species Biologist at Zoos Victoria. She explains that finding fox-free habitats is key for this species. “The habitat has to be fox-free, which means we’re limited to fenced sites on the mainland. But fox-free islands are great because you don’t need to build a fence,” says Dr Coetsee. Once the Eastern Barred Bandicoots were released, they soon dispersed to neighbouring farmland. “There was no requirement for local landholders to do anything, but it was important to have good relationships with people living in adjacent areas,” says Dr Coetsee. Importantly, ongoing community efforts to eradicate feral cats from the island will continue to improve the habitat for Eastern Barred Bandicoots and other species. “Many French Islanders put their hands up to trap bandicoots with me late at night to monitor the health and size of the population. Some have even bought their own wildlife cameras to monitor the bandicoots. It’s brilliant to see the support continue to grow,” says Dr Coetsee. ZVMAG
Building a biodiversity beacon
Recently, collective efforts have transformed what was once a commercial dairy farm 70km east of Melbourne into a public park that will provide habitat for two significant threatened species. Located in Don Valley, Haining Farm is now a beacon for biodiversity after Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria, Greening Australia, CFA, Melbourne Water, The John T Reid Charitable Trusts and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning all joined forces with the community to restore the site. “Haining Farm is typical of a paddock that’s been farmed for hundreds of years. It was cleared in the 1800s and since then it’s been used for cows, pigs and other agricultural practices. That legacy has impacted the soil and left an enormous weed seed bank,” says Dr Elisa Raulings, Science and Impact Manager at Greening Australia.
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LAND PROTECTION
It’s remarkable how quickly places can respond when you put the habitat and water back. DR ELISA RAULINGS / SCIENCE AND IMPACT MANAGER, GREENING AUSTRALIA
After some serious weed eradication, about 650,000 plants were planted at Haining Farm, all chosen to suit the soil conditions and attract key species including Victoria’s Critically Endangered state emblems: the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum (Lowland). “Their habitat is underpinned by the wetting and drying cycles of rivers and wetlands, so we had to get the water back into the site,” says Dr Raulings. Along with re-engineering traditional flow paths, planting the right species of plants and trees was crucial, especially when considering the projected impacts of climate change. “Historically, we’d collect seeds from nearby locations because we thought that they were most adapted to local conditions. But those conditions are changing rapidly. We need to think about the climate of the future,” explains Dr Raulings.
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IMAGES: JO HOWELL, TYSON BUTLER
Top (clockwise from left) Eastern Barred Bandicoot release; Plains-wanderers being released; revegetated Haining Farm.
Climate modelling revealed that Haining Farm will be hotter, drier and subject to more frequent extreme-weather events. In response, seeds well-adapted to hotter, drier climates (such as Eucalyptus camphora) were planted. Although the habitat isn’t yet suitable as a release site for Helmeted Honeyeaters and Leadbeater’s Possums, other native species have returned. Seven frog species have been recorded in the wetlands and 99 bird species have been spotted, including Rufous Fantails and Satin Bowerbirds. “It’s remarkable how quickly places can respond when you put the habitat and water back,” says Dr Raulings. Bushfire risk was also taken seriously. After consultation with the CFA, watering points and tracks that can accommodate fire trucks were included at Haining Farm. “We worked with fire ecologists to understand how fire might move through the site. We took their advice and included large setbacks and a woodland buffer that can reduce bushfire risk,” says Dr Raulings. As much as Haining Farm is a habitat for animals, it’s been designed for human enjoyment also. Visitors can explore themed walking tracks including a ClimateWatch trail that encourages citizen scientists to use QR codes to help monitor biodiversity. As the habitat develops over the next decade, Leadbeater’s Possums and Helmeted Honeyeaters will hopefully be introduced into the area. There are hopes that visitors will be inspired to take action in their own backyard. “Everyone has a role in fighting climate change. Planting native flowers, plants and trees in small spaces like backyards, balconies and nature strips contributes to managing biodiversity and helping fight climate change. We need all hands on deck,” says Dr Raulings.
WATCH IT HERE Watch the Plains-wanderers release here, bit.ly/3Dk9ZIH AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
PHILANTHROPY
Donation pathways We’ve decoded the multiple ways that you can give to Zoos Victoria depending on your interests and circumstances. Every donation is valuable to help us continue our work protecting animals in the wild and in our care.
One-off or monthly giving
Fundraise for wildlife
If you’re trying to make an impact and help brighten the future for wildlife, then organising a fundraising event is a great way to give. Your event can be big or small, everything makes a difference – try a cake stall or raffle or ask your community organisations to get involved and host a bigger event.
PWhere to go: zoo.org.au/donate/ fundraise-for-wildlife
We understand that sometimes it’s difficult to commit to a regular donation, so the option to donate on an ad-hoc basis suits many people. The donation will go straight to our general pool of funds that helps us continue the great conservation work we do in the wild and also provides money for the animals we care for in our zoos. If you decide to set up a regular monthly donation (from as little as $15) this can make a big difference in the life of an animal.
PWhere to go: zoo.org.au/donate/donation ZVMAG
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. HELEN KELLER
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DONATIONS
Adopt an animal
Do you have a passion for a particular animal at our zoos? This way of giving could be the right fit for you. It’s a great option for people wanting to visit their chosen animal at the zoo and see the impact they’re making on that animal’s life. Whether it’s a cute koala or a stealthy tiger, there are animals of all shapes and sizes on the Animal Adopters list. Set up a monthly donation to make the process easier and choose the amount that suits your circumstances.
A gift for the future
The Future Hands Fellowship is a wonderful way to leave a lasting legacy. By leaving a gift in your will you’ll be helping secure a future for our animals for many years to come. Once you have included Zoos Victoria in your will you can join the Future Hands Fellowship by letting the philanthropy team know. Becoming a member of this group will allow you to see how your future gift will contribute to fighting extinction.
PWhere to go:
zoo.org.au/animal-adopters
PWhere to go:
zoo.org.au/donate/ future-hands-fellowship
Conservation Partner
Make a big difference The Zoos Victoria Endowment Fund is a great way to make a large impact if you’re considering donating a considerable gift. The endowment fund helps the zoo future-proof an environment rich in wildlife. A donation to the endowment fund will provide an ongoing gift that the zoo can draw from – as the capital within the fund grows Zoos Victoria draws on it as an income stream.
Passionate about the conservation work Zoos Victoria regularly does? This way of giving could suit you best. By becoming a Conservation Partner you can make a specific gift towards one of the ongoing Zoos Victoria conservation projects. As well as helping fund the important work done by scientists, keepers and conservationists to protect endangered animals, you’ll be invited to exclusive events and behind-the-scenes experiences.
PWhere to go: zoo.org.au/donate/ endowment-fund NEED MORE INFO?
PWhere to go: zoo.org.au/donate/ conservation-partners
See the full list of donation options here: zoo.org.au/donate
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ANIMAL
HERD THE NEWS?
A WORDS Gus
Goswell
s Melbourne Zoo celebrates its 160th year, there’s something big on the horizon in one of the most popular precincts that will help shape the next phase of the Zoo’s future. In a milestone moment for Zoos Victoria’s work with the Endangered Asian Elephant, three of Melbourne Zoo’s herd are pregnant. One of the pregnant females is Mali – the first elephant ever born at Melbourne Zoo and the first female elephant born in Australia. The first-time mother-to-be is sharing her pregnancy journey with her own mum, Dokkoon, as well as the closely bonded Num-Oi. When the big news was revealed late last year, there was a flurry of excitement across the Zoos Victoria community. The Life Sciences Manager leading Melbourne Zoo’s experienced Trail of the Elephants team, Erin Gardiner, was thrilled to share the news, but knows that patience is a virtue when working with elephants, whose pregnancies last about 22 months. “Having two calves born around the ZVMAG
same time in late 2022, and one in early 2023, presents an incredible opportunity for our herd to grow and continue to bond together,” Erin says. “We’re all excited to watch our Asian Elephant herd raise three precious calves together in the future.” While the elephants themselves appear as calm and confident as ever in their habitats, behind the scenes there’s a flurry of activity. As well as preparing for the new arrivals, the team is busy planning for the entire herd’s shift to a state-of-the-art habitat for elephants at Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2024. “There should be very little visible change while the elephants are pregnant,” Erin explains. “The elephant keepers will focus on creating an environment that allows the elephants to strengthen their herd bonds as well as providing natural exercise opportunities for the mothers-to-be. The amazing Melbourne Zoo veterinary team will support the Elephant Keepers in ensuring we have the perfect diet for the pregnant females to support calf growth. This includes assessing if they are getting the correct amount of vitamins and minerals.” The pregnancies are the result of years of planning, as Melbourne Zoo is part
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of a regional breeding program for the Endangered species, and Erin says her team is acutely aware of the responsibility to provide the best possible welfare opportunities for the calves. “The natural make-up of any elephant herd is a multi-generation, cohesive breeding group that is made up of sisters, mothers, aunties, grandmothers and cousins, as well as young male offspring. The way we care for the herd of Asian Elephants at Melbourne Zoo is modelled on these natural structures. Giving our female elephants the opportunity to become mothers, to grow and deepen herd cohesion, is a pivotal part of how we are able to support this herd.” That the calves are the first naturally conceived elephant infants in Melbourne Zoo’s history is a source of immense satisfaction to Erin. “All three calves were conceived naturally thanks to our adult male, Luk Chai. I am extremely proud that we are growing a herd that mimics natural herd structures. “Having three elephant calves growing up together is ideal for their social development, as a closely bonded herd is important for elephants’ welfare.”
STAY UP TO DATE Keen to follow the elephants’ pregnancy journey? Stay tuned to Zoos Victoria’s social media accounts, and don’t miss the next edition of ZV magazine for an update. Adopt an Asian Elephant: zoo.org.au/ animal-adopters
IMAGE: JO HOWELL
Excitement is building as not one but three Asian Elephants prepare to give birth. Here’s how Melbourne Zoo keepers are supporting the expanding herd.
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ZV is published for Zoos Victoria by Hardie Grant Media HARDIE GRANT MEDIA: MANAGING DIRECTOR Nick Hardie-Grant ACCOUNT DIRECTOR Scott Elmslie ACCOUNT MANAGER Hannah Louey EDITOR Georgia Lejeune DESIGN Dallas Budde, Natalie Lachina PRINTER: Immij ZOOS VICTORIA: Angie Retallack, Olivia Shiels.
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Cover: Orange-bellied Parrots. (Illustration Phil Constantinesco/ The Illustration Room)
Printed on 100% recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. Zoos Victoria is a carbon neutral organisation.
AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
CONTEMPORARY THINKING ON WILDLIFE & ZOO-BASED CONSERVATION
ISSUE #12 AUTUMN/WINTER 2022
ZOOS VICTO RIA MAGAZINE
Birds of a feather
the species we’re trying to save
Protecting the Platypus Best images of 2021 Elephant update zoo.org.au/donate