World's Longest Lunch at Healesville Sanctuary

There's nothing better than a trip to Healesville Sanctuary to start celebrations for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

Celebrate all things Australian this Australia Day

Where better to celebrate Australia Day than at Healesville Sanctuary!
We're inviting everyone to celebrate in true Aussie style this Australia Day.

Aussie Christmas Lunch in the bush

Enjoy your Xmas day festivities at Healesville Sanctuary, set in the serenity and beauty of the Australian bush, surrounded by the whistle and calls of our native birds and animals.

Kids Are Free these Summer Holidays!

As part of the Victorian Government announcement, Kids under 16 years of age receive free admission to each of our three properties all day, every day, during the summer school holidays!

50 Life-Size Malis to descend on Melbourne's CBD

Next year, Melbourne's CBD will host a herd of 50 fibreglass sculptures custom made into the shape of Melbourne Zoo's most famous Asian Elephant calf, Mali as part of the Zoo's 150^th Anniversary Celebrations.

Beads provide relief in Melako

Northern Kenya is currently experiencing its worst drought in six decades with the affects now disastrous for both humans and wildlife. With the situation continuing to worsen, our support through our Beads for Wildlife program is more vital than ever.

Emily, Teddy and Amie makes three

Meet Little Emily, found on French Island a week ago, orphaned after Mum had a climbing accident. She was still clinging onto Mum and vets believe she could have been there for a few days. She was rescued by Parks Victoria staff and then transported to Healesville Sanctuary by Keeper Amie Hindson. She was dehydrated and weighed 1.8kg.

A LITTLE CUPPA CUTENESS

Little Rupert was no more than three months old and weighed just 260g when he was rescued from his dead mother's pouch after she'd been killed by a car near Yarck in country Victoria.
Photo by Jay Town, Sunday Herald Sun

Devil of a Name!

Healesville Sanctuary's very first pair of handraised Tasmanian Devil joeys need names.

The two little girls are just seven months old and are ready to meet visitors.

Healesville Sanctuary's furry friends kick off Children's Week at Monash Children's Hospital

Monash Children's will play host to a range of special furry and prickly guests including baby wombats, wallabies, possums, echidnas and lorikeets. Stick insects, a python, Lace Monitor and Bearded Dragon will also be visiting the children.

Melbourne Zoo’s Meerkats Make History

Melbourne Zoo's meerkat troupe of nine have moved into their new home at the recently renovated Royal Children's Hospital precinct at the weekend. The hospital will become the first in the world to permanently exhibit live animals.

17/10/11 2011 Zoos Victoria Annual Report

We are delighted to present Zoos Victoria's Annual Report and Life Sciences Addendum for the year ending 30 June 2011.

Hybrid Mountain Pygmies hold hope of a bright future

He's tiny, but he's generating a lot of excitement. Beau is a first-time father in a breeding program designed to improve the survival chances of an endangered species.

Special Member Christmas Parties -book your tickets today!

Zoos Victoria's amazing volunteers are putting together special Christmas parties for our members. Celebrate the festive season with your favourite animals when the Zoo closes its gates and puts its party hats on.

12/10/11 Dine on the Wild Side -with George Calombaris and Friends

Join us for an exciting fundraising event with George Calombaris and his celebrity chef friends at Melbourne Zoo. Tickets on sale now! 

Melbourne Zoo’s baboons join the fight for wildlife in Kenya

The Hamadryas Baboons are an African species and their new enclosure at Melbourne Zoo has been purposely linked to Zoos Victoria's community conservation program, Beads for Wildlife based in Northern Kenya to help save the endangered Grevy's Zebra.

Through Their Eyes

There is some amazing talent among primary school children, according to internationally renowned photographer, Steve Parish. Steve visited Healesville Sanctuary to run a series of photography workshops for primary and secondary school students.

IT’S A PRICKLY PROBLEM

Two of Healesville Sanctuary's Short-beaked Echidnas Spike and Christmas are heading off to see a specialist vet dermatologist at 1.30pm this afternoon at the Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre in Glen Waverley (70 Blackburn Road).

Baboon Lookout Launch

Melbourne Zoo is celebrating a major milestone! Sixteen Hamadryas Baboons have moved into their new, spacious, and custom-designed Baboon Lookout.

IS ‘DON’T PALM US OFF’ THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE?

Zoos Victoria's Don't Palm us Off campaign encouraged over 160, 000 Australians to speak out against misleading labelling of palm oil due to its link to deforestation in South-east Asia. Now the Australian public has the chance to voice their opinion again by voting for Don't Palm us Off in the Banksia Environmental Foundation's People's Choice Award.

Your Support Inspires Introduction of Proposed Palm Oil Bill

Zoos Victoria welcomes the proposed Truth in Labelling - Palm Oil Bill introduced to the Australian Senate last week by Senator Nick Xenophon and co-sponsored by Senator Bob Brown and Senator Barnaby Joyce.

First HeHo Chick born this season

Healesville Sanctuary is celebrating the hatching of its first Helmeted Honeyeater chick of the season.
The Helmeted Honeyeater is Victoria's bird emblem and the only bird endemic to Victoria. Most importantly, the Helmeted Honeyeater is critically endangered.

One year old Ongard

Melbourne Zoo’s first-ever male Asian Elephant calf is one year old today. Kulab gave birth to Ongard on the morning of September 10, 2010 after a night of hard labour, which was made very difficult by his size: Ongard’s first recorded weight was a hefty 142kg.  He has thrived in the past 12 months, nursing from Kulab and also beginning to eat solid foods.

Minister adopts platypus

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith visited Healesville Sanctuary today to adopt a Platypus and to congratulate the staff on its highly successful breeding program.

Hang On, HELP is on its way

On Friday at Museum Victoria, the HELP (Helping Endangered Leadbeater's Possum) group empowered other youth to get involved in saving Victoria's endangered wildlife, at the Kids Teaching Kids conference, supported by Healesville Sanctuary.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME FOR AUSTRALIA’S WILDLIFE

Threatened Species staff at Healesville Sanctuary has successfully completed a 819km commitment - to run, swim or walk one kilometre for every threatened species in Australia - and hope to turn the fundraiser into an annual event.

FIGHTING EXTINCTION

To coincide with Threatened Species Day, births of 20 Tasmanian Devil joeys, 17 Helmeted Honeyeaters, 23 Orange-bellied Parrots, 524 Spotted Tree Frogs, 44 Southern Corroboree Frogs, 119 Northern Corroboree Frogs and 38 Mountain Pygmy-possums are being celebrated at Healesville Sanctuary.

National Threatened Species Day

National Threatened Species Day aims to celebrate the many unique Australian species, many of which need our help to survive.

House of Economics Considers Palm Oil Bill

The Truth in Labelling Palm Oil Bill is now entering its next phase of the parliamentary process with the House of Economics Committee conducting another inquiry for the mandatory labelling of palm oil.

Running Out Of Time

Healesville Sanctuary plays a critical role in fighting extinction to save many of Australia's most threatened species including Tasmanian Devils, Mountain Pygmy-possums and Helmeted Honeyeaters. For the keepers who work with these animals, it's not just a job - it's a passion

He Ho,He Ho, It's off to work we go

More than 30 staff from Zoos Victoria volunteered their time on Thursday 11 August 2011, by pulling on their gumboots and grabbing a shovel to plant 2000 new trees for critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Father's Day Lunch

Soar in for lunch on Father's Day Sunday 4 September.

Orange Power Supports Orang-utans

Leading Australian company Orange Power wished Menyaru a happy birthday with a contribution of up to $150,000 over the next three years.

Meerkat Medical

The eight-week-old Meerkat kitten has had its first visit from a veterinarian.

Another Jumbo Joy for Melbourne Zoo's Elephant Family

Melbourne Zoo is set to hear the patter of giant feet with the announcement of Asian Elephant Num-Oi's pregnancy today.

Kids Are Free!

The Victorian Government has announced free admission for children under 16 years of age to each of our three properties on weekends, school holidays and public holidays!

Palm Oil Bill passes the Senate

Zoos Victoria welcomes the passing of the Amended Truth in Labelling - Palm Oil Bill through the Australian Senate.

Wild Nights is back! Are you brave enough?

Grab a torch and your sense of adventure and join the night fun at Werribee Open Range Zoo these winter school holidays! 'Wild Night's returns with a vengeance.... but are you brave enough?

Wine and Wildlife Weekend

Healesville Sanctuary is indulging once again in our fabulous Wine and Wildlife Weekend, Queens Birthday long weekend 11, 12 and 13 June 2011.

Enjoy the amazing combination of wildlife experiences with the tastes of the Yarra Valley. Healesville Sanctuary, Sanctuary Harvest Café, De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate and Napoleone & Co Yarra Valley have come together to create a gourmet experience with a difference.

Come and meet our new arrivals!

Come and meet the new arrivals at Werribee Open Range Zoo. We have a new baby Addax, Rami, a new Indian Antelope calf, Drizzle, and three new camels, Whiz, Saffon and Lucie. You can see them all on the Safari Bus Tour.

Zoos Victoria Launch Reconciliation Action Plan

Zoos Victoria proudly launched their Reconciliation Action Plan at Healesville Sanctuary on Sunday 29 May.

Postcards from Healesville Sanctuary

Channel Nine's travel program, Postcards, will this Sunday 29 May screen their trip to Healesville Sanctuary.

Healesville Sanctuary opens it's gates to local artists

Healesville Sanctuary is opening its gates free of charge to 50 local artists for a local community portrait prize project.

The Sanctuary, a painting site for Not the Archies, will be held on Sunday 22 May from 11am to 3pm. Artists and their subject will receive free entry to create a masterpiece on site.

Helmeted Honeyeaters released

Another 11 captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters were released into Bunyip State Park on Friday 6 May

Keeping Up Appearances

This Wednesday on ABC Healesville Sanctuary's very own Monty (the second), a carpet python, will feature on Spicks and Specks

Felix the new Pygmy Hippo now on display

Felix the Pygmy Hippopotamus  has arrived at Melbourne Zoo from his birthplace at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve in the Atherton Tablelands, is now on display.

A day of Adventure! ……..Zoo Keeper for a Day

Do you want to work with animals? Healesville Sanctuary presents an engaging day of activity for all aspiring zoo keepers.

Jump for Joy these school holidays

There are many great reasons to visit Healesville Sanctuary these school holidays - and here's one that'll have the kids jumping for joy. And one great reason for mums and dads too - Healesville Sanctuary is still great value at $56.80 for a family pass!

Platypus death toll continues to rise

Healesville Sanctuary and the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) are warning rogue anglers to stop illegally using opera house nets after another Platypus was found dead in the Bunyip River this month.

Flying Foxes and fruit tree netting

Grey-headed Flying Foxes are being found wrapped up in bird netting on fruit trees causing serious and, in some cases, fatal, injuries.

Platypus Puggle in a Muddle – And one big Puddle

Healesville Sanctuary is proud to introduce a tiny Platypus puggle washed into the ocean from the Mitchell River after the Victorian floods.

Mali dips into the deep

Melbourne Zoo's first-ever Asian Elephant calf took her first big swim today. She has ‘graduated' from the paddling pool in the Cow Paddock via the deeper pool near the Bull Barn to the 4-metre deep pool near the Community Hall!

World's Longest Lunch at Healesville Sanctuary

There's nothing better than a trip to Healesville Sanctuary to start celebrations for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

Out of the Ashes

A documentary focusing on the 2009 Victorian bushfires and featuring Healesville Sanctuary will be screened on ABC 1 Television on Sunday 13 February at 7.30pm.

Mali's First Birthday

Melbourne Zoo's first-ever Asian Elephant calf celebrated her first birthday today with a special cake made of banana and carrot, with shredded coconut on top.

Mali's historic birth a year ago was a major milestone in the new regional conservation breeding program for her endangered species.

It's a Love Match with bouncing Roos

Healesville Sanctuary has hosted 27 ballkids from Korea who are here for the Australian Open Tennis Championship which begins next Monday (17 January 2011).

First Christmas For Mali And Ongard

The two Asian Elephant calves born at Melbourne Zoo this year have now experienced their first Christmas party. The party included new balls for Mali and Ongard and tasty treats for their mothers and the two other adult females in the herd.

BEAUTIFUL BONGO BABY

Melbourne Zoo is delighted to announce its first-ever Eastern Bongo birth.

All clear, Devils!

This season's Tasmanian Devil joeys had their first ever vet checks at Healesville Sanctuary

Baby Orang-utan Needs A Name

As of next week the Victorian public will have a chance to name Melbourne Zoo's latest  addition. Melbourne Zoo Keepers have chosen four Indonesian names that reflect the cultural background of this endangered species. 

Sumatran Orang-utan Birth

Sumatran Orang-utan Maimunah has given birth to a female baby. Mother and baby are resting in their night den, recovering from the birth which happened overnight on Monday, shortly before midnight. Keepers were on hand to observe the birth and have remained on duty since then to watch over Maimunah and her baby.

Playful-Plat-Pair

Today two female Platypus, Ember and Waddaring, went on public display for the first time this week.

Twilight Shopping at Healesville Sanctuary

With every dollar spent supporting its amazing work with Australia's native wildlife, Healesville Sanctuary's Twilight Shopping Night on Thursday 18 November 2010, 6-9pm will be the perfect opportunity to beat the Christmas rush - and perhaps name a Tasmanian Devil.

‘Seal the Loop’ Launch

People out enjoying themselves around Port Phillip Bay this summer may see some new bins produced by Zoos Victoria, in an initiative to reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment.

Special Seal the Loop recycling bins for plastic waste such as broken or tangled fishing lines are being installed along the foreshores to encourage people to dispose of these items in a responsible way.

International Tiger Day

On Sunday 26th September, Melbourne Zoo will celebrate International Tiger Day to help raise awareness of the plight of Tigers in the wild.

Melbourne Zoo is home to six Sumatran Tigers – Ramalon, Binjai and our newest additions, cubs Rani, Hutan, Aceh and Indrah – who are part of the Zoo’s participation in an international breeding program.

Woolworths haven’t palmed us off!

During the first phase of Melbourne Zoo's Don't Palm us Off Campaign an enormous 130,000 people signed the petition in support of mandatory palm oil labelling on all food products. As well as this, a bill before the Australian Senate to label palm oil has received more than 300 submissions of support.

Zoo Goes Wild For Digital Learning

They may be too young to vote but school students across the country are about to make their voices heard on important subjects like palm oil and bushfire and wildlife recovery. It's all thanks to a new digital learning revolution led by the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

It’s time to make a stand (while sitting on the loo)

Healesville Sanctuary has today asked every Australian to join a toilet revolution and think of native wildlife next time they pay a visit to the loo. Healesville Sanctuary Director John Gibbons said the cheeky Wipe for Wildlife campaign will encourage Australian households to switch to toilet paper made from recycled sources.

Going Going Gone? The Plight of the Southern Cassowary

Zoos Victoria is proud to announce their support of The Rainforest Information Centre's (RIC) new nationwide campaign, Save the Cassowary, launched on Wednesday, 23 June. The tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland are home to this unique animal, Australia's second largest bird. The Southern Cassowary is vital to the rainforest as it disperses and germinates seeds of up to 150 rainforest plant species.

Jason Coleman dances with the devil to support conservation

Fresh from the finale of So You Think You Can Dance, Jason Coleman took off his judging hat and stepped into Healesville Sanctuary to highlight the plight of endangered Tassie Devils and support the work of Zoos Victoria's conservation programs.

Largest ever release of Helmeted Honeyeaters

A record 22 captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters were released into Bunyip State Park this month, a significant boost for Victoria's bird emblem.