Zoo News - spring 2021

ZOO NEWS

ZOOS VICTORIA MEMBER MAGAZINE

Fearless A GROUP OF EIGHT CRITICALLY ENDANGERED PLAINS-WANDERERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED INTO THE WILD

ANIMAL

Hide and seek

The camouflaging animals that are masters of disguise

SUSTAINABILITY

Plants for food

Keeping the animals well-fed while looking after the planet

VOLUME 44 / SPRING 2021

CONSERVATION

Rescue remedy How to respond when you come across injured wildlife

COMMUNITY

A class act

The school getting behind a Critically Endangered species

CONTENTS SPRING 2021

06

Masters of disguise

04 Feature story

12 20

Plains-wanderer A little conservation assistance for this pint-sized species

Rescue remedy Hatches and matches

04 Plains-wanderer

Helping a pint-sized species

14 The zoo of us

Keeper Monique is a passionate Zoo Keeper and advocate for change

06 Masters of disguise

These animals are experts at camouflage

Dear Members, As we head into the final months of 2021, we are busier than ever at Zoos Victoria. A big thank you to you, our loyal members, for your ongoing support of Zoos Victoria and the work we do. I hope you enjoy reading about our wonderful Plains-wanderer project and learning how animals camouflage in this edition of Zoo News.

16 A class act

The school that’s passionate about Fighting Extinction

08 Labour of love

Celebrating our Zoos Victoria volunteers

10 Reptile House

Go behind the scenes at the upgraded Reptile House

12 Rescue remedy

What to do when you find injured wildlife

18 Plants for food

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The zoo of us

Growing food for the animals is a team effort

20 Hatches & matches 21 Over to you

Dr Jenny Gray CEO, Zoos Victoria

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to Elders both past and present.

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 Eammon Verberne, 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-wanderer (Photograph: Jo Howell)

Printed on 100% recycled paper with vegetable-based inks. Zoos Victoria is a carbon neutral organisation.

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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CONSERVATION

Helping a

PINT-SIZED SPECIES

Years of dedication and work have culminated in the recent release of eight Plains‑wanderer birds into the northern plains of Victoria — a first in Australian conservation history.

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n autumn this year, eight of the world’s most Critically Endangered and genetically-distinct birds were released into the wild for the first time — embarking on a vital journey to help save the Plains-wanderer species from extinction.

Every tiny footstep these precious ground‑dwelling birds took made Chris Hartnett’s heart sing. Following years of research, captive breeding and planning dedicated to Plains-wanderer conservation, the Threatened Species Project Officer says the opportunity to see these birds venture into the grasslands of Victoria’s northern plains was very special.

“There are currently fewer than 1,000 of these miniature, 70-gram birds remaining in the wild. Plains-wanderers are very rare and are an ancient part of Australia’s birdlife — the last of their evolutionary line,” says Chris.

Click here

Wanderer facts

These tiny birds stand at about 15–19cm tall.

Female Plains-wanderers are larger than males and have a distinctive white-spotted, black collar on the neck.

The path to recovery

The elusive bird, characterised by its distinctive straw-coloured legs and bill, and fawn plumage with fine black rosettes, was once widespread throughout the grasslands of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria

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Watch the Plainswanderers being released into the wild.

The females will lay multiple clutches of eggs per year – with around two to five eggs per clutch.

and South Australia. However, extensive habitat destruction, impacts from over grazing, a lack of understanding about the species and extreme weather events have seen the Plains-wanderer population decline by more than 85 per cent over the past 20 years, driving them to the brink of extinction.

In a collaborative research trial, four pairs of Plains-wanderers have been released to live on public and privately‑owned land, closely tracked by a team of conservationists.

“Five years of conservation work have led us to this important release,” Chris says. The National Recovery Plan for the Plains-wanderer (see breakout box for more information) began in 2016, when the Australian Government brought together some of the best minds in threatened species recovery.

In a multi-state, cross-agency effort, a thriving insurance population of Plains‑wanderers was established via a national captive breeding program.

Thirty-two Plains-wanderers were obtained from the wild as foundation birds for the program, resulting in the hatching of 37 healthy chicks — 20 of those were at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, RICK HAMMOND

WORDS Jesse

Fly high

MAKING THE LIST A TEAM EFFORT An increase in Zoos Victoria memberships enabled the Plains‑wanderer to be included on our Fighting Extinction species list in 2017 — so a big thank you goes to our members.

“A lot of work has gone into the captive breeding facilities, including researching and developing specialist skills in Plainswanderer husbandry, providing the birds with nutritional diets, and creating vegetation and an environment for the birds to express natural behaviours — with the aim of preparing them for wild release.”

A strong future

Each of the eight birds released has been fitted with a radio harness transmitter, weighing just 1.8 grams, that enables conservationists to closely monitor the birds within a range of three kilometres. The aim of the trial is to collect data on dispersal, breeding and survivorship, as well as refine monitoring technology, with the overall goal to facilitate larger-scale releases of the species in the future.

Chris says the release is the first phase of a six-part research trial for the species, which will see additional Plains-wanderers venture into the wild over the next three years.

“The hope is that by releasing them into protected and optimal conditions — with close monitoring and tracking from conservationists — the Plains-wanderers will be given the chance to thrive, breed and contribute to the restoration of their wild population.” ZN

Funds raised from memberships are instrumental in helping Zoos Victoria — a not-for-profit organisation — to focus on the conservation of our wildlife and saving threatened species such as the Plains-wanderer from extinction.

You can further support the conservation of this species by buying a Plains-wanderer Totes for Wildlife bag. The funds raised from the $10 reusable totes will go towards protecting Plains‑wanderer habitat in Northern Victoria through conservation covenants managed by Trust for Nature.

The Plains-wanderer National Recovery Team is a voluntary collaboration of government and conservation organisations that are working together to save this important native grassland bird from extinction.

The team includes Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, Bush Heritage Australia, Elanus Consulting, Featherdale Wildlife Park, NSW Local Land Services, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Northern Plains Conservation Management Network, Parks Victoria, Queensland Department of Environment and Science, South Australian Government, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Trust for Nature Victoria, University of Sydney, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Zoos South Australia and Zoos Victoria.

LOOKING FOR MORE? Purchase your own tote bag online.

Click here to order

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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ANIMAL

MASTERS

of disguise

Many animals are camouflage experts, and it can take an eagle eye to see them. Learn about some of the elusive creatures in our care, plus tips on how to spot them.

WORDS Beth

Wallace PHOTOGRAPHY Jo Howell

Home zooing Watch the animals live from home. neck and the larger rosettes over the body and tail help these furtive felines camouflage in their natural habitat in the rugged, snowy mountains of the Himalayas.

SNOW LEOPAR D Snow Leopards are known as the “ghosts of the mountains”, and for good reason. A whitish-grey coat with black spots covers the head and

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Melbourne Zoo’s Snow Leopards – Kang-Ju, Miska, Asha, Manju and Sikari – aren’t quite as elusive as their wild relatives. However, it can still take a trained eye to notice them, says Carnivores Keeper, Meryl McGlone.

“Our Snow Leopard enclosures have a rocky landscape with high platforms to replicate their wild environment,” she explains. “This allows them to have a high vantage point and maintain their seclusion through camouflage.”

Click here

Hide-and-seek Kulinda, the Cheetah at Werribee Open Range Zoo, is partial to a rest spot under the acacia tree, as it provides her protection from the weather and any perceived predator or threat. Can you spot her on your next visit?

EAST ER N BA RR ED BA ND ICO OT

GUTHEGA SKINK

LYREBI RD Emerging from their nests after dusk, these small, nocturnal marsupials are almost impossible to spot, with their flecked yellowish-brown coats keeping them well concealed in their native grassland home.

There are 16 Eastern Barred Bandicoots living off display at Werribee Open Range Zoo’s breeding facility. “We encourage the Bandicoots in our care to camouflage themselves, by providing them with lots of grasses and other vegetation within their enclosures,” says Natives Keeper, Alison Edwards.

Spending most of the day foraging in the soil, these brown-feathered birds like to keep a low profile — except when showing off their mimicry skills.

According to keeper, Sarah Carter, the best time to catch a glimpse of the Lyrebirds at Healesville Sanctuary is during breeding season in winter, when the resident male, Apollo, will be busy singing and dancing. “When male Lyrebirds dance, they throw their tail feathers over their head, and then we can see the white underneath. Shimmering white is much easier to see,” Sarah says.

Healesville Sanctuary’s Guthega Skinks don’t usually hide during the day unless startled, but their colour and unique mix of stripes and spots make them difficult to distinguish from their granite rock homes.

Their propensity to freeze if danger approaches is likewise key to their survival, says keeper, Peter Comber. “They’ll stay still as long as they feel it’s safe — darting off and into a burrow at the very last moment.” When visiting these camouflage experts, move past the exhibits slowly and try to avoid any fast or jerky movements so that the skinks don’t run and hide.

LOR D HOW E ISLA ND STIC K INS ECT

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, ALEX STORER, WILL WATT, ANDREW GRIFFITHS

SCIMITAR-HO RNED ORYX From birth, a Scimitar-horned Oryx’s light tan coat serves as camouflage in its desert home. Mothers also keep their young out of sight (and danger) for the first two to three weeks of life, under a bush or tussock of grass, or among sticks or rocks.

Savannah Keeper and Scimitar-horned Oryx Species Coordinator, Dennell Burgoyne, explains that there are plenty of spaces where oryx mothers can hide their young on Werribee Open Range Zoo’s savannah. “When we have newborn calves within the herd, try to spot them from the bus,” she says.

“Look along fence lines, under plants, next to rocks or among the sticks.”

CHEETA H Behind the scenes at Melbourne Zoo, a population of captive-bred Lord Howe Island Stick Insects are so covert that even their keepers struggle to find them.

In speciality greenhouses, these ‘tree lobsters’ feed on, and hide in, endemic plant species from Lord Howe Island.

They favour different plants according to their life stage and camouflage needs. Ectotherms Keeper, Rohan Cleave, explains that nymphs (babies) are bright green, so blend in perfectly with foliage. Later, they change to green/brown, to camouflage against the bark of trees. As sub-adults and adults, they become black and fully nocturnal, so only venture out at night.

Cheetahs use their tawny spotted coats to disappear in the light colours of Africa’s grasslands and at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Kulinda uses trees and shrubs to shield herself from view, says African River Trail Keeper, Suzanne Szabo. ZN

LOOKING FOR MORE? Look out for these animals next time you’re at the zoo.

Click here to book your free Zoo Member tickets

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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COMMUNITY

LABOUR OF love

From odd jobs to animal enrichment, Zoos Victoria’s volunteers are at the heart of our organisation.

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ou will have seen many of the people who work at our three zoos caring for the animals, maintaining the facilities and helping to make your visit special.

However, did you know that there are hundreds more who work behind the scenes to support Zoos Victoria staff?

There are currently 880 volunteers who donate their time, energy and passion to support the day-to-day operations

of Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. “Our volunteers are at the heart of our workplace,” says Marg Joiner, Volunteer Program Manager. “They’re an integral Zoos Victoria support crew, helping the organisation to achieve its goal of fighting wildlife extinction.”

Sandra is one of these volunteers, and she spends 20 hours each month

“Our volunteers are at the heart of our workplace.”

MARG JOINER Volunteer Program Manager 8

at Werribee Open Range Zoo as part of the Animal Enrichment team. The team constructs equipment — such as puzzle feeders and hammocks — that challenges the animals mentally and encourages their natural physical behaviours.

Sandra’s love of animals led her to volunteer. “l wanted to play a part and be able to help and contribute in some way,” she says. “What l enjoy most about volunteering is sharing our care and our stories with the members and visitors and sharing our vision of fighting wildlife extinction. Together, we can make a difference.”

Another volunteer, Matthew, spends two Fridays each month at Healesville Sanctuary, working with the Animal Enrichment team.

“There’s a set roster for which animals we work with, and we’re trained on what each animal needs. For example, we scatter maggots in sour milk around the Lyrebird habitat to encourage foraging and manage nutrition. The members and visitors get to see the birds do what comes naturally, and I talk about why it’s important,” explains Matthew.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, JULIE RENOUF

WORDS Samantha

In the past year our volunteers:

donated more than 30,000 hours

The Animal Enrichment team is also trained on what each animal enjoys eating, to provide them with the occasional treat. Matthew always looks forward to visiting Tara, the Brolga.

“She loves peanuts. When she sees us coming, she almost dances over.”

Matthew says volunteering is his positive mental health strategy.

“I love the opportunity to be in the bush, help the public to understand the animals and work with a great bunch of people committed to conservation action.”

Our volunteers also get involved in a wide range of odd jobs across the zoos. For instance, volunteers transport

helped to plant more than 5,500 trees at Werribee Open Range Zoo

helped to create more than 17,000 animal enrichment items

non-critical animals between the three properties, spend hours reviewing camera footage to check for predators in areas where threatened animals have been released, build monkey pods and weed the vast gardens.

All Zoos Victoria volunteers are over the age of 18 and are required to have a Working With Children Check. “We put a lot of resources into our volunteers,” says Marg. “We’re committed to ensuring people have the best experience when they volunteer with us.”

They are an important part of the organisation and ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day operations of

increased in number by 147

the zoo. “Our volunteers get lots out of it, but they also put a lot in,” says Marg. “We really couldn’t do all of the fantastic work we do without them.” ZN

WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS Next time you visit one of our zoos, keep an eye out for our wonderful volunteers. Give them a smile or thank them for all the work they do for us.

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28/7/21 4:06 pm ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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ANIMAL CONSERVATION

Reptiles

in the house Go behind-the-scenes for an encounter with the sophisticated creatures that call the Melbourne Zoo Reptile House home.

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f you’re a fan of animals that slither, hop and scamper then you’re sure to geek out on the behind-the-scenes Reptile House Encounter at Melbourne Zoo. The keepers who spend every day with these slimy, scaly and winged creatures will tell you all about the animals as part of this exclusive look inside the world of snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs and butterflies.

We’ve road-tested the Reptile House Encounter to give you an exclusive look into what you can expect when booking this experience.

Wonderful World of Frogs

Play spot the frog at your first stop at the wonderful World of Frogs. These camouflage experts can be difficult to spot in their rainforest surroundings, especially because some of them are particularly tiny. Your guides will provide interesting amphibian facts and information about the important Zoos Victoria conservation work, such as the Baw Baw Frog Detection Dog program, that helps protect these animals.

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“What you can see of the pupa is actually its outer skin.”

CHRIS CORNOCK-ROSS Ectotherms Keeper

Aldabra Giant Tortoises

A visit to the two resident male Aldabra Giant Tortoises, Wilbur and Little John, is a must-stop on this encounter.

Learn all about this long-living species during the private keeper talk and spot these giants meandering slowly around the grass.

Spending around 75 per cent of their time eating, Aldabra Giant Tortoises are easy to motivate using food. “Apart from their usual diet of grass and greens,

Wilbur, Little John and our female tortoise, Jean, love sweet potatoes, zucchini and capsicum as treats,” says Keeper, Dan Kemp. The keepers use apples to help with training the tortoises for easy and stress-free health checks, such as their quarterly blood draw.

“Jean will turn her nose up at a green apple – she only likes a Pink Lady,” he says.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, RICK HAMMOND

WORDS Georgia

Did you know?

Keepers at Melbourne Zoo aren’t sure exactly how old the Aldabra Giant Tortoises (Wilbur, Little John and Jean) are. They estimate it’s between 90 and 110 years – although the species can live until 200.

The Reptile House

The Reptile House may be home to a variety of cold-blooded creatures, but the temperature inside is wonderfully warm. After a recent upgrade, the animal displays feature new digital signage and the building has been fitted with a hydronic heating system – connected to a remote Building Management System that controls each zone. This system allows keepers to closely monitor each environment, aligning them as much as possible to each species’ natural habitat.

“These environmental parameters are the key to stimulating natural breeding and behaviours that the animals would exhibit in the wild,” says Reptile Keeper, Rory Keenan.

The centre of the Reptile House is a multipurpose facility that supports the main gallery area. This area acts as an off-limit holding space, rearing space for young, breeding space, treatment space and aged care facility. A visit to this hidden centre will certainly bring a smile to any reptile lover’s face.

Inside the Caterpillar Greenhouse

A much-loved display at Melbourne Zoo is the technicolour world of the Butterfly House. People love to watch the butterflies flit around the tropical enclosure during the day, but they don’t often see the process of rearing these beautiful insects.

This Encounter allows you to peek inside the Caterpillar Greenhouse, where hundreds of caterpillars are munching a variety of plants and chrysalises hang from leaves like camouflaged chandeliers.

Ectotherms Keeper, Chris CornockRoss, spends his mornings harvesting the pupae from the leaves of small plants in the greenhouse. “What you can see of the pupa is actually its outer skin,” says Chris. “When it’s getting ready for metamorphosis, the caterpillar hangs itself underneath a leaf. It only takes a moment for it to shed its previous layer of skin and become a chrysalis.”

Diamond Python

Chris carefully transfers the hanging pupae to a rack that is hung in a glass display of the Butterfly House. Each afternoon, keepers count how many butterflies have emerged from their chrysalises and release them into the Butterfly House for members and visitors to see the following day. ZN

LOOKING FOR MORE? Book in to join the Reptile House encounter and you can see behindthe-scenes at Melbourne Zoo. Click here to book

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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CONSERVATION

RESCUE REMEDY

Brush up on the best way to respond when you encounter injured or orphaned wildlife.

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t’s not only humans who welcome the longer days and increased daylight that come with spring — our native wildlife also becomes more active.

The heightened activity brings a greater risk to the safety of our native wildlife – from kangaroos getting struck by cars to parrots flying into windows, Victoria’s native animals are impacted by human encroachment on their environment.

Thankfully, many of us are quick to help when we find injured or orphaned animals, but what’s the best way to respond to a wildlife emergency?

Safety first

When going to the aid of injured wildlife, it’s important to firstly make sure there

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are no risks to your own safety. For example, when helping an animal near a road remember to only stop your car and cross busy roads if it’s safe to do so.

You should immediately call a wildlife rescue hotline, as the operator will talk you through the process or send a trained wildlife rescuer to help.

As a Veterinary Nurse at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Chris Stitt is part of a team that treats more than 1,500 native animals annually. Chris recommends taking an injured animal to a wildlife centre or vet, sooner rather than later.

“If you are a long way from our Centre, you should go to your nearest vet clinic,” says Chris.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, RICK HAMMOND

WORDS Jo

“You don’t want to put a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in a cardboard box, because they’ll eat it.”

CHRIS STITT Veterinary Nurse at Healsville Sanctuary

Where to find help

Look out for me!

All creatures great and small

How you approach an animal in distress depends on its size and species.

Chris recommends using a towel to pick up smaller animals like possums, gliders and bats before putting them (and the towel) in a cardboard box with small holes poked in it for airflow.

A pet carrier – used for cats and dogs – is a good solution for birds, because cardboard is no match for a beak.

“You don’t want to put a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in a cardboard box, because they’ll eat it,” says Chris, with a laugh.

Larger animals, like kangaroos, should be treated with caution.

“Kangaroos can injure people, because they’ve got strong feet and tails. It’s best to watch them closely and call Wildlife Victoria to get a trained person to

capture the animal,” Chris explains.

Wombats may be cute, but they can also pack a punch. “Adult wombats are amazingly strong. If you’re in the way of where they want to go, they’ll go straight through you,” adds Chris.

On an even smaller scale, what happens if you find a joey in the pouch of a deceased marsupial?

“If there’s a joey in the pouch and the mother has died, we recommend calling a trained person to talk you through how to safely remove it from the pouch.”

Keeping it simple

It’s a natural reaction to offer food to injured wildlife, but it’s important to remember that animals in distress have simple needs.

“We don’t recommend feeding animals,” says Chris. “If an animal has eaten, the longer it is before we can anaesthetise them, so simply keep the animal in a warm and dark place, with a small dish of water.”

Chris strongly discourages taking selfies with injured animals.

“I understand why people would want a photo with an animal they’ve found — a lot of them are extremely cute – but you need to do everything possible to reduce its stress levels. Remember, it’s a wild animal and it will be scared or in pain. If you want to take photos of animals, visit Healesville Sanctuary.” ZN

Wildlife Victoria P: (03) 8400 7300 wildlifevictoria.org.au The emergency response phone line is open seven days a week between 6.40am and 8.30pm.

You can also report a wildlife emergency on the website or via the Snap Send Solve app.

Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre P: (03) 5957 2829 Drop off injured or orphaned native wildlife at the Centre between 9am and 4pm.

Melbourne Zoo’s Marine Response Unit P: 1300 245 678 Call the hotline for assistance with injured seals, turtles, dolphins, whales, seabirds and other marine wildlife in Victorian waters.

LOOKING FOR MORE? Check out the amazing work that our vets are doing at Healesville Sanctuary.

Click here to book your free Zoo Member tickets

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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ANIMAL

THE ZOO OF US Say hello to

Keeper Monique As a Carnivore and Ungulate Keeper, Monique is committed to providing the best life possible for the animals in her care.

WORDS

Alegria Alano PHOTOGRAPHY Jo Howell

Did you know?

There are fewer than 400 wild tigers remaining in the forests of Sumatra. Threats to their existence are driven by humans, but we are also able to support their conservation. Tigers are incredibly resilient, so with a concerted effort, they can be brought back from the brink of extinction.

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Tiger time Watch the tigers displaying natural behaviours.

Click here

Q What is your favourite animal?

A Tigers are definitely my number one — they were the very first species that I ever worked with and they quickly tugged on the heartstrings. I’m also fond of Snow Leopards and Bongos [a species of antelope]. For me, it’s the individual animals that I’ve met and worked with during my career that draw me to their species.

Q How did you get your start as

a keeper?

A I completed a Certificate IV in Captive Animal Management and fulfilled the practical component of the course at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, where I landed my first keeping position. After I left Dubbo, I had a dream to travel to all the countries where tigers still exist and become involved with in situ conservation. I was only four weeks into this dream before I was offered a job at a zoo in Cambodia.

After several years, I returned to Melbourne and was fortunate enough to be offered several short-term contracts with Zoos Victoria. This led to a full-time role with the Carnivore and Ungulate Department, where I’ve been for about eight years.

Q What is your typical day like?

Q Did you always want to be

a keeper?

A When I was younger, I wanted to be in law enforcement. Then I travelled through Africa and spent eight months on safari on an overland truck watching wildlife every day. I quickly realised the annual safari wasn’t going to cut it, I needed to be involved with wildlife every single day. This led me to where I am now.

Q What has been your biggest

learning while working as a keeper?

A Recently, I was fortunate to receive a research fellowship that allowed me to investigate the management of tigers here at Melbourne Zoo. I spent six weeks taking a deep dive into their natural history, looking in detail at their current husbandry routines and overall management. I reached out to tiger gurus around the world and completed tiger-related literature reviews. Everything I learned has now been written into a management document and, hopefully, we can implement this at Zoos Victoria to ensure that the tigers in our care live a life full of purpose and challenge. It was six weeks of only thinking about tigers — my dream.

A Our first task is to ensure all animals are accounted for and healthy. Then it’s on to feeding and cleaning habitats and off-limit spaces.

Throughout the remainder of the day, we offer enrichment and complete training sessions. Depending on the species, we provide additional feeds.

We also complete food prep for the following day and conduct behind-thescenes experiences.

Q Why do you love your job?

A I learn about the individual animals and have the privilege to spend time in their presence. I help to create a connection between the animals and our members and visitors. ZN

LOOKING FOR MORE? Visit the tigers at Melbourne Zoo Lion Gorge and the Trail of the Elephants.

Click here to book your free Zoo Member tickets

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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COMMUNITY ANIMAL

A CLASS ACT Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrots are at risk of extinction, but some eager young conservationists and their teachers are doing all they can to stop this from happening.

WORDS Alegria

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he Year 4 students at Grey Street Primary School in Traralgon have a special responsibility. Guided by teachers, Linda Bristow-Hood and Debbie Guy, they’re working on a yearlong project to raise awareness and funds for an animal in Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction program.

“This year, they each researched an Endangered species, then took a vote and chose the Orange-bellied Parrot,” says Linda, who is a Zoos Victoria Member.

Linda’s love of animals was the catalyst that first brought the program to Grey Street Primary School two years ago.

“I love all animals and know how children respond to them – they’ve got that innate love for them as well,” she says.

After approaching Zoos Victoria about adopting an animal, the school was invited to be part of the Fighting Extinction Schools program — something that Linda, fellow Year 4 teacher Debbie and the students were all excited about.

“When Linda suggested the Fighting Extinction Schools program, we were all on board,” says Debbie. “I think animal conservation is an important concept that children can grasp.”

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Orange-bellied Parrot facts They are migratory birds.

In summer they breed in Tasmania and spend winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, SARAH SUMMERS

There are fewer than 50 Orange-bellied Parrots in the wild.

Since becoming involved, the school has raised almost $10,000 for the program, with proceeds supporting the Baw Baw Frog and the Southern Brushtailed Rock-wallaby. Now the Year 4 students are aiming for similar results for the Orange-bellied Parrot.

The student-led program promotes conservation, but also teaches empowerment. “They run the project, own the project and drive the project — and we support them,” says Debbie.

“As a teacher, it’s extremely rewarding,” Linda adds.

Students held a casual clothes day – with gold coin donations – to kick off this year’s fundraising. They’re now planning a sausage sizzle and are writing letters to local businesses for support. They have engaged with the wider school community by presenting talks and are even taking

their advocacy into their own homes. At recent parent-teacher interviews, parents expressed how much they have learned about Orange-bellied Parrots and the children’s efforts to save them.

In Term Four, students will host a ‘Parrot Party’, with market stalls and games for the school. “It’s a lot of work, but the students love it because they take ownership of what they’re going to present. They have to be responsible for organising it and seeing it through,” says Linda.

Debbie explains how being responsible for the Fighting Extinction program at the school helps the students see themselves as role models for action on animal conservation.

Linda and Debbie agree that a deep understanding of animals gained through an involvement with Zoos

Above: Year 4 students at Grey Street Primary School in Traralg on

Victoria helps provide inspiration.

“The children connect with something that they love and enjoy learning about,” says Debbie. “We’re building people who develop that empathy and care for the environment, which is important — after all, the planet will one day belong to them.” ZN

LOOKING FOR MORE? Learn more about the Orangebellied Parrot in our Beyond Mega Zoo series.

Click here to watch the video

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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SUSTAINABILITY

PLANTS Cultivating a range of plants on-site keeps Zoos Victoria’s animals well-fed and it’s a win for sustainability.

Stewart

W

hen you visit any of our three zoos, you’ll notice that the animals like eating, playing with and perching on plants — but have you ever wondered where all this green matter comes from?

The answer is that much of it is grown at Zoos Victoria’s very own on-site plantations, designed to supply food sources and enrichment to the animals all year round.

Werribee’s green scene

“Eland eat acacia, giraffes really like melaleuca and camels eat just about anything,” says Craig Shalders, Horticulture and Grounds Manager at Werribee Open Range Zoo. Tasked with managing a plantation

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Clockwise from top: Western Lowlands Gorilla; Giraffe; Koala; Zoo Keeper, Kelly Hobbs, carrying browse for gorillas.

of 25,000 trees that produce 60,000 pieces of plant material each year for both Werribee Open Range Zoo and Melbourne Zoo, Craig has a good understanding of what needs to be on the menu.

From bamboo to mulberry, willow to fig, a wide range of plants are grown to ensure all the animals’ dietary needs are met. Beyond nutritional benefits, plants also have a positive impact on animal behaviour.

“The health and welfare benefits of giving animals access to fresh vegetation, or browse, are well known,” says Craig.

“The Life Sciences team at Zoos Victoria has highlighted that browse helps to promote positive behaviour in the animals, so there’s an ongoing need for it.”

While operating a plantation of this scale is a considerable job, Craig

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, WILL WATT

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The Life Sciences team prov different spidee 11 of eucalyptus c—ies perfect for koalas.

FOOD believes it’s the most economical and sustainable way to source high-quality, fresh plant matter.

An on-site plantation reduces transport emissions and enables the team to accommodate specific needs. “The animals are our customers, but we can’t speak to them. So, the Life Sciences team is in constant contact with us, providing feedback that helps with planning. We cut twice a week, and each week we get a different request, based on what the animals need,” says Craig.

Horticulture at Healesville

Healesville Sanctuary has 15,000 trees spread across three plantations, at the sanctuary itself, Spadonis Reserve and Worawa Aboriginal College.

Among the diverse range of plants are 11 different species of eucalyptus — perfect for koalas.

“Most other animals in captivity have other food items that can be substituted into their diet. This isn’t possible for koalas, so it makes the provision of high-quality, reliable browse a critical part of the Horticulture and Life Science Departments’ roles,” explains Bronwyn Macreadie, Life Sciences Manager at Healesville Sanctuary.

The koalas’ browse is replaced daily, so the team works hard to provide a steady supply of fresh leaves for them

Competition You could win an exclusive ‘Seed to Feed’ Tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo. For more details and to enter, click here and answer the questions. Hint: the answer is on this page!

to chew and tree branches to climb.

“Each year, we provide more than 30,000 pieces of browse, with a twoperson team cutting browse three days a week,” says Luke Boyle, Healesville Sanctuary’s Horticulture Manager.

“The trees are cut back to encourage tip growth and aid weekly harvesting to ensure freshness and palatability.”

Viminaria, a native plant that grows on the land of the Kulin Nation, is for kangaroos and wallabies, while a range of flowering plants is cultivated for other native species.

“We grow plants like grevillea, callistemon (bottlebrush) and banksia as enrichment for Sugar Gliders, Feathertail Gliders, Mountain Pygmy-possums and Leadbeater’s Possums,” says Bronwyn.

The Endangered Goodfellow’s Tree‑kangaroo is native to Papua New

Guinea, so a different range of plants is grown for them.

“Their wild diet is a range of tropical plants that we can’t grow well in Victoria. So, we grow plum trees, tree lucerne and Chinese lantern for them instead.” ZN

LOOKING FOR MORE? You can feed your garden by using Zoo Gro – from organic materials collected from Melbourne Zoo – at home.

Purchase from zoo retail stores.

ZOONEWS MEMBER MAGAZINE • SPRING 2021 •

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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.

HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY

KANGAROO ISLAND KANGAROOS There is a new addition to the Kangaroo Island kangaroo mob at Healesville Sanctuary. The newest member of the family, a tiny joey, has just started poking its head out of the pouch, so can’t be named until it comes out and we know its gender.

MELBOURNE ZOO

GIANT BURROWING FROGS Melbourne Zoo is now home to Giant Burrowing Frog tadpoles. They have been collected to establish the first captive breeding program for the species.

MELBOURNE ZOO

FAREWELL BINJAI Our veterinarian and keeper teams had to make the heart-breaking, but necessary, welfare decision that the time had come to say goodbye to beautiful Sumatran Tiger matriarch, Binjai. At 18 years old, Binjai developed a range of age-related health conditions that were increasingly impacting her quality of life.

WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

WELCOME FALAH Zebra, Furaha, has welcomed her first baby at Werribee Open Range Zoo. The female foal has been named Falah.

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Keep up to date with all of the day-to-day goings on at the zoo over at our Instagram @zoosvictoria.

There’s lots of fun things to see and animal videos to watch.

IMAGES: JO HOWELL, RICK HAMMOND

Zoo News

COMMUNITY

MEMBER SNAP Indrah, Sumatran Tiger Indrah was born at Melbourne Zoo in 2010.

Her keepers say she is good at problem solving and is a quick learner.

5 QUICK FACTS She weighs 82kg, making her the smallest tiger at Melbourne Zoo.

She can drag items that weigh more than her body weight.

Her keepers sometimes spray her bedding with lavender and rosemary, which she loves!

She isn't a fussy eater and loves kangaroo, deer, beef and chicken.

She is very switched on and aware of her surroundings – she appears very considered in her actions.

Look out for Indrah at Melbourne Zoo Indrah will spend time in all areas of her habitat – but her location may be weather-dependent. During the cooler months, Indrah is most likely to be tucked up in her cave enjoying the warm underfloor heating.

She spends the warmer months in the shade beneath the bamboo.

Members and visitors will need to look extra hard during this time as she will be camouflaged in the vegetation.

The best times to see Indrah are early morning and late afternoon.

Image of Indrah was taken by member Alex Gardner

members ge

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Members get DISCOUNTS Did you know Zoos Victoria members also receive a range of discounts not only at your three great zoos, but also with our member partners?

10% discount

on zoo experiences Visit zoo.org.au for more information or to book

15% discount in zoo retail stores and online

Visit our partners page below for further details zoo.org.au/membership-partner-benefits *Terms and conditions apply.

20% discount* with our member partners*

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