Zoo News Weekly

VICTORIA’S GREAT DAISY HUNT TO SAVE ENDANGERED HOPPERS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 07 Sept 2026

Local knowledge could make all the difference in protecting an endangered insect. The Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper hadn’t been seen in Victoria for more than 50 years before it was rediscovered near Omeo in 2019. With fewer than 10 known wild populations remaining, the flightless grasshopper is highly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Zoos Victoria and Euroa Arboretum are working to restore its grassland habitat by collecting and propagating native daisy seed – an important food source for the species. Locals are also encouraged to share sightings via iNaturalist or by emailing contact@zoo.org.au to help researchers better understand and protect this elusive grasshopper.

RARE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES HATCH FIRST WINTER CHICKS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 20 Aug 2026

Hope has hatched early at Werribee Open Range Zoo, with four tiny Critically Endangered Plains-wanderer chicks becoming the first winter clutch bred as part of the conservation breeding program.

Doting dad Ozzy is taking his parenting duties seriously, keeping the four chicks warm beneath his feathers as they grow. Since 2017, 60 Plains-wanderer chicks have been bred at Werribee as part of a national effort to help protect this unique and threatened Australian species.

WHAT IS A (CUTIE) AGOUTI?

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 18 Aug 2026

Melbourne Zoo's latest addition has visitors scratching their heads. What the heck is a Red-rumped agouti? "An agouti is a type of big rodent, the cousin to the guinea pig and the capybara. They're a strange mash-up of those two species," says Keeper Tom. "We've definitely noticed some visitors do a double take." Melbourne Zoo hasn't had agoutis for 15 years.

CROP TO CUP

blog │ 14 Aug 2026

Next time you warm up with a coffee from one of our zoos, take a moment to appreciate the work that went into that cup. Here we describe the incredible journey our coffee beans make to get to you.

From Zoo News Magazine Autumn 2026

ROUTE 58 TRAM DISRUPTIONS - GETTING TO MELBOURNE ZOO

MELBOURNE ZOO UPDATE │ 14 Aug 2026

If you're planning a visit to Melbourne Zoo between Friday 21 August and Monday 5 October, please allow a little extra travel time. Buses will replace Route 58 trams between Stop 11 Queensberry Street and West Coburg while Yarra Trams upgrades the Brunswick Tram Depot to improve accessibility and support larger trams.

Visitors who would usually use Stop 26 Melbourne Zoo or Stop 27 Royal Park Station should follow the replacement bus signage through Royal Park. The nearest replacement bus stops are on Poplar Road—approximately a 6-minute (400m) walk from Melbourne Zoo or just a 1-minute (50m) walk from Royal Park Station. For the easiest journey during the works, we recommend travelling via the Upfield Line and alighting at Royal Park Station. A Route 58 replacement map will be available on our website as soon as it's released.

VALE GUMNUT

animal UPDATE │ 14 Aug 2026

We are devastated to share the sad news that Gumnut, the koala joey our members so joyfully named a few weeks ago, has passed away. The full results from his necropsy will not be known for some time yet, however Gumnut was recently moved with his mother Freckles to Healesville Sanctuary's Australian Wildlife Health Centre. His devoted keepers had noted that Gumnut wasn't meeting the weight and size expectations for a joey of his age, which led to additional concerns that Freckles may have been struggling to provide enough milk for him, so the team at Healesville were able to supplement his feeding as a precaution. However, he progressively failed to thrive and passed away on Wednesday morning, 5 August. We know our members will be saddened by this news, as our team is. His life may have been brief, but he touched us all. Vale Gumnut.

SECRETIVE PLATYPUS BEHAVIOUR CAUGHT ON CAMERA

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 6 Aug 2026

A rare glimpse into the secret life of one of Australia’s most elusive animals has been caught on camera, with a female Platypus at Healesville Sanctuary spotted collecting nesting material with her tail as they head into breeding season.

ONE YEAR OF TAMBI

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 6 Aug 2026

One year ago, many of you welcomed Tambi into the world as Melbourne Zoo celebrated the birth of its first giraffe calf in almost 20 years. After a wobbly start, Tambi has grown into a healthy, playful youngster and a proud big brother to little Zambezi. Celebrate Tambi's milestone with a free downloadable background below.

HIPPO HOT TUB

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 6 aug 2026

While Melbourne's winter mornings are freezing, Felix the Pygmy hippo is staying cosy with his very own heated pool, kept at a balmy 25°C all year round. Whether he's swimming, snacking or snoozing in the water, Felix is always a favourite with visitors. Stop by the Gorilla Rainforest Trail on your next visit to see this threatened species enjoying his winter routine.

QUARDRUPLE CUTENESS: JOEYS HOP TOWARDS NEW SEASON

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 30 July 2026

A sign that spring is just around the corner, with a roo-markable baby boom of Kangaroo Island Kangaroos at Healesville Sanctuary.

FOR THE LOVE OF CATS

BLOG │ 30 July 2026

From the scratching post to the savannah, cats big and small are more alike than they appear. What does the way lions and cheetahs experience the world reveal about the cats curled up on our couches?

From Zoo News Digital 2026

NEW LIFELINE FOR CRITICALLY ENDANGERED HELMETED HONEYEATERS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 24 July 2026

One of Victoria’s Faunal Emblems facing the real threat of extinction is receiving a new safe haven for orphaned or fragile fledglings.

A SECOND CHANCE IN THE WILD FOR BUSHFIRE-INJURED KOALA

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 24 July 2026

A spark of hope has emerged from the aftermath of Victoria’s January bushfires with a young, orphaned koala called Robyn returning to the wild after a lengthy rehabilitation journey at Healesville Sanctuary’s wildlife hospital.

NEW EAGLE SOARS INTO SPIRITS OF THE SKY

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 21 July 2026

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well, yes. Actually, it is a bird. A new bird of prey is soaring onto the scene at Healesville Sanctuary, with Audax the majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle joining the iconic Spirits of the Sky free-flight presentation.

EARLY LEARNING MATTERS: GROWING CHILDREN'S CONNECTION WITH NATURE

zoo UPDATE │ 21 July 2026

Early learning plays an important role in shaping children’s development, wellbeing and connection to the world around them. This Early Learning Matters Week, the Keeper Kids team at Melbourne Zoo is celebrating the power of nature-based learning and the ways children can discover, explore and care for the natural world!

VALE WILDLIFE DETECTION DOG DAISY

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 21 July 2026

The Detection Dog Squad is deeply saddened to share the sudden passing of Daisy. Despite the best care, Daisy was diagnosed with incurable cancer and quickly succumbed to the disease. Over her nine years, including five years with Zoos Victoria, Daisy made an incredible contribution to threatened species conservation, from detecting Victorian grassland earless dragons and supporting groundbreaking conservation research to helping connect thousands of people with wildlife conservation. Daisy touched the hearts of many at Zoos Victoria. Fluffy, food-obsessed and occasionally dramatic, she had the biggest heart, the best nose and was a cherished member of our zoo family. She will be missed dearly.

LEG UP FOR LIMPING LIZARD

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 10 July 2026

Brace yourselves because this story has got legs. A Bearded Dragon called Ned, who has a sore leg, is receiving state-of-the-art treatment at Healesville Sanctuary, as vets use 3D printing to step up his care.

NEW LION PRIDE EXPERIENCE DATES

experience UPDATE │ 15 July 2026

Exciting news! New dates have just been released for our wildly popular Lion Pride Experience. Step behind the scenes to meet our growing lion pride and hear from the passionate keepers who care for them every day.

NEW ROO STROODEL

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 10 July 2026

Healesville Sanctuary's newest Red Kangaroo joey, Stroodel, is out of the pouch! Named after mum Roobarb, she's already showing plenty of personality, from playful boxing matches with aunty Roobix to energetic morning zoomies. Spot Stroodel in Kangaroo Country, especially in the early morning or late afternoon, and learn more at the daily keeper talk at 11.15am.

UNDER-THE-RADER

blog │ 10 July 2026

Discover the must-see unique animals to find on your next visit.

From Zoo News Magazine Winter 2024

NEW AVIARY ARRIVALS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 10 July 2026

Eight more Orange-bellied Parrots have joined our Fighting Extinction aviary at Healesville Sanctuary this week! Having retired from the breeding program, they're now settling into their new home, see if you can spot them on your next visit!

SNOW LEOPARDS STOP AND SMELL THE ROSE(MARY)

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 03 July 2026

Melbourne Zoo's snow leopard cubs are growing – and it turns out they're fine dining connoisseurs. The four five-month-olds were presented with palm fronds that were rubbed with a mix of dried herbs and fresh rosemary, a combination of seasoning that literally made the siblings flip out.

MEET BETTY QUOKKA

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 03 July 2026

They're "bonding" and allegedly there have been "no tiffs at all" - Melbourne Zoo has a potential new couple. Betty the quokka has joined male quokka Abe in the leafy Australian Bush habitat at Melbourne Zoo.