Zoo News Weekly

A NEW RHINO ENTERS THE SAVANNAH

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 22 JUNE 2026

A five-year-old southern white rhino has completed the journey of a lifetime, travelling from New Zealand to Australia to begin an exciting new chapter at Werribee Open Range Zoo.

MEET PANGI THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED CROC

conservation UPDATE │ 19 JUNE 2026

Philippine crocodiles are the most critically endangered crocodilian species in the world. There are fewer than 200 left in the wild. Discover Pangi’s journey at Melbourne Zoo and learn how our partners at the Mabuwaya Foundation are working in the Philippines to protect this species in the wild.

LEMUR LOVE TRAIN

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 19 JUNE 2026

Melbourne Zoo's lemur lads are real group hug guys. This cuddle puddle is extra special as Mafana, Shango and Ritchie (three at the front) are some of the older boys, and Roa (at the back) is one of the younger boys, originally from Adelaide. Previously the two groups rarely cuddle together. Did you know: Keepers identify Roa from his 'love heart' shape white marking on his forehead.

PHOTO COMP EXTRAS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 11 JUNE 2026

We hope you're enjoying your 2026 Member Calendar! Our members submitted so many wonderful photos, and while we couldn't include them all, we couldn't resist sharing some extra favourites. P.S. Don't forget to get your submission in before 30 June!

NEW DIGS FOR RESCUED DINGO

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 8 JUNE 2026

There’s a lively new resident to meet at Healesville Sanctuary! Alpine Dingo Gertie has moved into the main habitat and is delighting visitors with her curious and energetic personality. Relocated from Little Desert Nature Lodge following the 2025 bushfires, Gertie loves exploring her new surroundings, sniffing out every corner and zooming around her habitat.

Did you know female dingoes are the leaders of the pack? In the wild, females are typically the dominant animals, leading their family groups alongside a chosen mate. While dingoes may look similar to domestic dogs, they are highly intelligent, instinctive animals with impressive climbing and jumping abilities.

You can find Gertie on the Dingo Country Track and learn more about this fascinating species during the daily keeper talk at 3.40pm.

QUOLLY SMOKES

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 8 JUNE 2026

Two energetic new residents have moved into Healesville Sanctuary’s Animals of the Night Nocturnal House, giving visitors the chance to get up close to one of Australia’s most fascinating and endangered marsupials.

INSIDE THE DRAGON DEN

CONSERVATION UPDATE │ 8 JUNE 2026

The Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon, a tiny reptile once feared extinct until its rediscovery west of Melbourne in 2023, now has a purpose-built conservation breeding facility at Melbourne Zoo, helping secure a future for this Critically Endangered species.

MELBOURNE ZOO PLAYS DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 2 JUNE 2026

There are some new faces for members to discover at Melbourne Zoo, with four young Tasmanian Devils recently joining the zoo family: Apricot, Plum, Aunt Beru and Egg.

‘BARITONE’ FROGS WHISTLE A HOPEFUL TUNE

CONSERVATION UPDATE │ 29 MAy 2026

East Gippsland’s endangered Watson’s Tree Frog is about to get a lot louder, with 200 froglets and 1,200 tadpoles being released into the wild this season (November 2025 – April 2026).

NEW SPIDER MONKEY EXPERIENCE

experience UPDATE │ 29 MAy 2026

FANG-TASTIC RECOVERY: BONITO THE TASMANIAN DEVIL VISITS THE DENTIST

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 29 MAy 2026

WALLABIES GET SOME GLAM

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 19 MAy 2026

During recent training sessions, the Red-necked Wallabies at Healesville Sanctuary had their nails painted! The splash of colour helps keepers quickly identify and monitor each wallaby. Keep an eye out for their bright new nails next time you visit. 

WEIGH-IN WINS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 19 MAy 2026

At Healesville Sanctuary, Wombats Gem and Milo recently took part in their routine weigh-in using a stationing behaviour with keepers Ben and Taylah, while Long-nosed Potoroo Paddlepop also participated in voluntary weighing sessions with the Nocturnal House team. Keepers are even using creative remote set-ups with scales and cameras to obtain weights for species like sugar gliders and squirrel gliders, including Tarra.

blog │ 19 may 2026

Whether transporting animals interstate by road, overseas by air or even between habitats within the zoo, at Zoos Victoria everyone ensures the focus is on animal welfare.

From Zoo News Magazine Autumn 2026

HIPPOS AND ELEPHANTS GO FULL SMASHING PUMPKINS

ANIMAL UPDATE │ 15 MAY 2026

When you’ve got the biggest mouth of any land animal, you need snacks to match. With pumpkin season in full swing, the team at Werribee Open Range Zoo grew giant pumpkins especially for our three hippo girls, giving their powerful jaws the ultimate seasonal challenge.