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Halls Gap Zoo News – September 2010

September 22 in Zoo News by | No Comments

National Threatened Species Day

National Threatened Species Day is held on 7th September each year to encourage communities to help conserve Australia’s unique native fauna and flora. It was first held in 1996 to commemorate the death of the last Tasmanian Tiger in captivity in 1936 in Hobart. The concept was developed to bring an awareness of the predicament of our threatened animals and plants. There are quite a number of Australian animals and plants now known to be extinct with many more classified as either endangered or vulnerable. We can all help in preventing further extinctions by finding out what threatened species are in our backyards, what they need to survive and to help meet this need. For more information go to www.environment.gov.au We have several threatened species in breeding programs and on display at the zoo including Cassowary, Brush-tailed Bettong, Quoll, Bandicoot, Tasmanian Devil, Bilby, Rock-wallabies and Przewalski’s Horses.
This month we would like to thank Boroka Downs (Five Star Luxury Accommodation in the Grampians) and Lake Fyans Holiday Park (Grampians accommodation options to suit all budgets) for their on-going support.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – August 2010

August 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

AMERICAN ALLIGATORS

Saturday 31st July saw the arrival of two young male American Alligators that were sourced from The Australian Reptile Park at Gosford, NSW. They currently measure nearly 1 metre in length and will eventually grow to over 4 metres.
American Alligators are better equipped to deal with cooler conditions than any other crocodilian however we have constructed a heated pool for them (with the help of Grampian Pools and Spas) and they will have the choice of indoor heating or for those sunnier days there is an outdoor basking area.
The American Alligators join the 450 plus other animals at Halls Gap Zoo, including the ever popular meerkats who have proven to be a hit with all ages.

Sponsorship from several business, service clubs and private individuals is very much appreciated and this month we would like to thank Howdens of Stawell and Designs n’ Signs for their on-going support.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – July 2010

July 7 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

Wow, what a month we have had! Our most exciting news is our success in breeding bilbys. We are part of the Zoo Aquarium Association “Breed and Release Program” for this endangered species. One of our two precious joeys will be released into a protected area in the wild and the other will be used in the captive breeding program. Other animal activity is the arrival of three Northern Quoll who are part of a breeding program to save this endangered species and six Black-headed Flying Foxes.

Work Experience

It has been a hive of activity with several work experience students spending time with us including Ellie and Nicole from England. These two girls are undertaking a National Diploma in Animal Management at the College of West Anglia, Wisbech and they decided that for their workplace component they would venture downunder for an experience of a lifetime.
We have also had the benefit of the retired head curator from Werribee Zoo here working with everyone for a very informative and hands-on learning experience.

Sponsorship

We would like to thank Sheila Vernon and family from Brighton for their support by sponsoring one of the koala enclosures and for the on-going support of Reppers Rural Merchandise.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – June 2010

June 1 in Zoo News by | No Comments

No new species this month but we still have some new additions for you to see. Sandy and Jedda, a pair of dingoes, have taken up residence in the new dingo enclosures located near the koalas. We are relocating all our dingoes so we can turn their existing area into Tree Kangaroo and Panda enclosures. We have also added to our Himalayan Tahr numbers by moving Taronga Zoo’s (Sydney) males here until they are required for breeding in two years time. This is another example of the partnerships we are building up with many zoos across Australia.

Red Pandas

We have been asked to display two Red Pandas later this year and a major part of their diet is bamboo. So, we are asking for anyone who has a stand of bamboo who would be willing for us to harvest a percentage of it from time to time to contact us so we can build up a list of available places we can use while we are waiting for the plants we have put in here to grow large enough to harvest.

Meerkats

The meerkats all have names now – Tiny, Cody, Buddy and Mika. Lots of people are taking the opportunity to experience a close encounter with the meerkats. These have been popular as a birthday present for a friend or family member.

Sponsorship

This month we would like to thank Pykes Pets & Cycles and Catnip for their continued support.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – May 2010

May 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | 2 Comments

Meerkats

The meerkats have settled in extraordinarily well with many people taking the opportunity to have a meerkat encounter. This involves sitting in the enclosure with their lunch on your lap. Inquiries can be made at the kiosk.

Bison & Barbary Sheep

Our main new arrivals this month are the American Bison – they are huge!! Our two boys arrived from Monarto Zoo on the 21st April. While Monarto staff where here we were able to shift the Barbary Sheep so that they are now all together.

Construction

Construction this month has been on a new enclosure for the Spotted-tailed Quoll that arrived late last month. They have been in the Nocturnal House but will be moved into the new enclosure next to the Fossil Cave. With moving a few of the nocturnal animals around we have been able to shift a Woma Python and a Diamond Python onto display. A new dingo area has also been started.

Membership

During April we have been able to welcome many locals as new members of the zoo. If you are interested in becoming a member, which represents great value for money, contact us on 5356 4668 or inquire on your next visit.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – April 2010

April 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

New Animals

Meerkats

The meerkats have arrived!! Come and watch these inquisitive little creatures these school holidays. We will be open every day over the Victorian school holidays 10am – 5pm.

Other New Animals

Other new animals this month have been Spotted-tailed Quoll, Red-tailed Phascogales, Wapiti, Ostrich and Western Grey Kangaroos.

Construction

Construction is underway for new dingo enclosures and the finishing touches are being made to the bison enclosure with planned arrival in the third week of April.

Sponsors

We would like to thank our sponsors this month – Rayners Fruit & Vegetable Wholesalers, Tim’s Place (Backpackers) and Four Clowns Ice Cream Palour. Their on-going support is much appreciated.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – March 2010

March 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

New Animals

February saw the arrival of the Przewalski’s Horses (pronounced sheh-val-skee). They are a critically endangered species with less than 2000 individual animals in existence. Listed as extinct in the wild in the 1960’s, zoos have played a crucial role in returning this species to its natural habitat with an international captive breeding and reintroduction program. The new arrivals here are excess males not required for the breeding program and are named Valeri who is 20yrs old and Max who is 2yrs old.

“Jabuh”, our male bilby now has a playmate and other additions include white kangaroos and white tammar wallabies.

Construction

The meerkat enclosure is well underway with the expected arrival date of the meerkats being the week beginning 22nd March, just in time for the school holidays.

Sponsors

The meerkat enclosure is being sponsored by The Ararat Bakery and their support is much appreciated. If you are interested in sponsoring a particular animal or enclosure please contact us.

School Holidays

During the Victorian school holidays we will be open every day 10am – 5pm.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – February 2010

February 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

On the Road

This month Greg has been busy with his vacation visits to local caravan parks as well as to the Hamilton and Ararat libraries and the Horsham Art Gallery where numerous local children met Huey the Dingo, Montana the Python and Shrek the Green Iguana amongst others. Shrek is one of our new residents who came to us from Brisbane Zoo but will not be on display until the Reptile House is constructed.

New Animals

Other new additions this month include Golden Pheasants and Red-necked Wallabies from Taronga Zoo as well as a male Tasmanian Devil from Healesville Sanctuary for the breeding program. The Eastern Quoll are now on display in their new enclosure. Now is also the time when you may catch sight of a joey or two as they venture out of mum’s pouch to explore their surroundings. Daryl our Brolga is back in his wetlands after an operation on his foot.

Feedback over these holidays has been one of surprise at how big the zoo is, as well as the variety and number of animals on display. We now have over 420 individual animals, consisting of over 100 different species, on display with a walking track of nearly 2kms. The range of animals includes many native species as well as exotics.

Opening Hours

With the children back at school we have returned to normal opening hours of 10am – 5pm daily, closed on Tuesday. Any queries contact us during open hours on 5356 4668 or by email at info@hallsgapzoo.com.au

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Halls Gap Zoo News – January 2010

January 1 in New Animals, Zoo News by | No Comments

Extended Opening Hours during School Holidays

During the school holidays we will be open every day 10am – 5pm and until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Many of our Australian animals are more active in the cool of the evening so take advantage of these extended hours for an enjoyable evening with the animals, then relax in the company of family or friends with a barbecue tea.

Animal Action

“Diesel” our young crocodile now has some Mertens Water Monitors to keep him company. These two species are both found in the inland waters of northern Australia.
“Fidel”, a male from Melbourne Zoo and “Suela”, a female from Taronga Zoo, Sydney are our two new Cotton-top Tamarins. They have been a little shy but are settling in happily together.
Also on display now is a Barn Owl who is currently being housed with the Boobook Owls.

Construction

The main construction this month has been extending the Tasmanian Devil area and creating an area nearby for our Eastern Quoll, who will be on display very soon.

Sponsors

This month we would like to thank Shelley (Melbourne Zoo) & family, Grant (exhibiting artist at Halls Gap Zoo) & Helen Thomas and Reppers Rural Merchandise, Stawell for their on-going support.

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Halls Gap Zoo News – December 2009

December 1 in Zoo News by | No Comments

Save the Tasmanian Devil

Halls Gap Zoo’s participation in the “Save the Tasmanian Devil” Program has just expanded. We have now added two breeding females, “Grettle” and “Prada”, who will be soon meeting “Elvis Jnr” to hopefully help save this unique species from extinction. Saving this species is a joint effort by members of the Zoo and Aquarium Association and Tasmanian Government departments. They have developed a framework for the establishment and maintenance of a healthy, viable Devil Population to insure against the possibility of extinction of devils in the wild caused by the fatal Devil Facial Tumour Disease and to provide for the release of healthy devils to the wild at an appropriate time.

Extended Opening Hours

During the school holidays we will be open every day 10am – 5pm and until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Many of our Australian animals are more active in the cool of the evening so take advantage of these extended hours for an enjoyable evening with the animals, then relax in the company of family or friends with a barbecue tea. We will be closed Christmas Day.

Sponsors

This month we would like to thank Tim at Grampians Furniture for his on-going support in sponsoring “Diesel” our young crocodile.

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