Australian Conservation Programmes
A small migratory parrot that crosses the sea on its migration, Orange-bellied Parrots breed in south-west Tasmania in the summer and migrate to the coast of south-east mainland Australia for the winter. The migration route includes the west coast of Tasmania and King Island. They spend much of their day either on or close to the ground and often while a group is feeding, they will take it in turns as a sentinel to sit on a high perch to check for dangers such as hawks.
In summer, soon after arriving back in the melaleuca area in southern Tasmania, pairs begin to form and seek out nest sites. They nest in tree-hollows in trunks and holes in dead branches with pairs known to return to the same nest site for many years. When a female accepts a nest site, she will spend up to a week in the nest preparing it for her brood. During this time, while she incubates and when the chicks are small, the male feeds the female on the nest. When chicks are about ten days old, both parents forage and return to the nest to regurgitate food for the young.
A captive breeding program, which was initiated with birds recruited from a small wild population, has focussed on understanding the birds’ behaviour and dietary needs to boost the production of offspring. The preparation of birds for release into the wild has included teaching the birds to feed on the favoured wild plants utilised by the wild birds and fitness training for life in the wild.
Decline in extent and quality of coastal salt marsh habitat, because of development, agriculture and interference with water systems has impacted the species’ mainland wintering habitat. As they forage on the ground, they are likely to be predated by foxes and feral cats on the mainland. Lack of natural burns at the breeding site has impacted native food resources there. Infectious disease outbreaks are also a threat to their population.
Due to the efforts of a range of optimistic and dedicated conservationists the wild population has risen to over 80 birds returning to nest in December 2023. Annual releases have occurred for many years with birds released both at the breeding grounds in Tasmania and along the Victorian coastline. During the mainland release birds are fitted with a radio transmitter and their movements and survival tracked by dedicated volunteers. To assist the valuable breeding females, they have also been assisted in their migration by flying them back to their breeding grounds by aeroplane. Conservation staff have also provided many artificial nest boxes in their breeding grounds which the birds are using well.
A significant captive breeding program that includes a variety of partners and zoos now manage a captive population of over 500 birds.
The Tasmanian devil Sarcophilus harrisi is a carnivorous marsupial of the family Dasyuridae. The name Sarcophilus means “Flesh-lover”. It was formerly present across mainland Australia but became extinct there around 3,500 years ago. The size of a small dog, the Tasmanian devil became the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world following the extinction of the thylacine in 1936. It is related to quolls, and distantly related to the thylacine. It is characterised by its stocky and muscular build, black fur, pungent odour, extremely loud and disturbing screech, keen sense of smell, and ferocity when feeding. The Tasmanian devil’s large head and neck allow it to generate among the strongest bites per unit body mass of any extant predatory land mammal. It hunts prey and scavenges on carrion.
Tasmanian devils are threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) is the name given to a fatal condition in Tasmanian devils which is characterised by the appearance of obvious facial tumours. The tumours are first noticed in and around the mouth as small lesions or lumps. These develop into large tumours around the face and neck and sometimes even in other parts of the body. Badly affected devils have many tumours throughout the body.
The captive breeding programme consists of animals that have been tested not to carry the virus and consists of approximately 600 animals spread across a variety of captive institutions on the mainland and in Tasmania. Some organisations have created large camps in which devils have been released and are thriving. Captive bred animals have also been released onto offshore islands such as Maria where post release, the population has thrived.
Listed as threatened, the Brush-tailed rock-wallaby occurs in fragmented populations roughly following the Great Dividing Range from southwest Queensland to western Victoria’s Grampians. They live on rocky escarpments, granite outcrops and cliffs, which have caves and ledges for shelter.
The population declined greatly after European settlement when people hunted the species for their pelts. Foxes are well known to prey on brush-tails and have been the primary reason for the failure of some of the attempts to release into the wild.
It was estimated in 2020 that there were less than 100 Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies left in the wild in Australia. The Southern Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (sub-species) program was established in 1996 when there was estimated to be about 40 left in the wild. The initial focus was to build up a captive population as quickly as possible for re-introduction. To achieve this a technique called cross-fostering of joeys to yellow-footed rock wallabies was used to rapidly accelerate breeding. The technique was highly successful – the captive population grew enough to allow for the first trial re-introduction in 2008 in the Grampians National Park. This method improved the understanding of reintroductions developing novel approaches for improving reintroduction success. Large fenced, and predator proof areas, such as Mount Rothwell, are proving very successful in breeding numbers of this species. Genetic diversity is a challenge for this species and scientists have been working on a programme to maximise genetic diversity.
The population at our zoo are part of the original captive breeding programme to act as an insurance against the extinction of the species.
The most beautifully coloured wallaby, the yellow-footed choose to live on rocky outcrops where they are adapted to bound effortlessly across the rocks. They will drink water if available but can survive for much of the year without water by obtaining it from their food. They’re usually best seen in the early morning or late afternoon basking on rocky ledges in the sun.
There are two populations, about 2000 animals in South Australia and another 200 in New South Wales. Their decline was due to introduced foxes and feral cats as well as competition for food from domestic stock and fires. Significant effort by conservation agencies including a captive breed and release programme by zoos has seen the species gradually increase in numbers. Aboriginal landowners have managed a very successful conservation programme in South Australia. The bounce back of the species in the Flinders Ranges has been exceptional with park visitors now regularly seeing the species in the ranges.
The Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby has played a key role in Zoos South Australia’s highly successful wallaby cross-foster program. Under this program a critically endangered Victorian Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby joey is removed from its mother and fostered by a Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. This in turn allows the critically endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby to give birth to another joey approximately 30 days later increasing the amount of offspring one female can produce in a year. The surrogacy program has assisted in building the population of the species with less than 60 individuals remaining in the wild.
There are four species of quolls. The largest species, also known as tiger quolls, the spotted-tailed quoll is the second largest carnivorous marsupial on the Australia mainland after Tasmanian devils. They live in a variety of habitats, are mainly solitary animals and will make their dens in rock shelters, small caves, hollow logs, and tree hollows and feed on prey such as possums, bandicoots, rabbits, birds, and reptiles.
Quolls have a fascinating breeding cycle – The female calls or “clucks” when she is in oestrus (season) and her neck swells. After a gestation period of 3 weeks, she will give birth to up to thirty young. When spotted-tailed quolls give birth, their offspring are about the size of a grain of rice and up the fur on the mother’s belly and into the pouch where they attach on to a teat. With only 6-7 teats available only that number of young can survive. The mother carries her joeys in her pouch until about 2 ½ months of age at which point, they are left in a nest in the den. The young are then weaned and are independent at 5 months and mature by one year of age. They are short lived with a life expectancy of only up to five years. The joeys grow to about 2 kg for females and 4 kg for males, by the time they reach adulthood.
The spotted-tailed quoll population is seriously threatened throughout mainland Australia. Listed as endangered on the mainland, the introduction of feral animals such as foxes, cats, and dogs, as well as diseases and the logging of their forest habitats, have greatly reduced their numbers. Historic logging of forests and the threat of global warming has for the first time seen many previously very wet forests drying with some even burning.
Several new forest reserves and linkages have been created where the species has been recorded. Feral animals, in particular fox and cat control measures, are being implemented in key habitats. To avoid conflict with people tips on how to “quoll proof” hen houses has been made available. Camera traps and trained scat/scent dogs are being used to detect and monitor populations.
A captive breeding insurance population is managed in Australian wildlife parks and zoos such as ours. Genetics are tightly managed and being relatively short-lived, animals are moved between organisations for breeding on a regular basis.
Our Zoo is one of the top breeding facilities for this species with over forty bred over a twelve-year period.
The Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius) is a large, ground-dwelling bird of extraordinary grace and beauty. It is endemic to Australia and nearby islands. It was formerly known as the Bush Thick-knee.
Threats to the bush stone-curlew include:
- predation by foxes and cats
- trampling of eggs by cattle
- clearance of woodland habitat for agricultural and residential development
- modification and destruction of ground habitat through removal of litter and fallen timber, introduction of exotic pasture grasses, grazing and frequent fires disturbance in the vicinity of nest sites.
Numbers have declined greatly over the last century. The bush stone-curlew is now endangered in NSW and were once widely distributed in Victoria. Sadly, they have suffered a significant decline, and it is estimated there are fewer than 300 breeding pairs left on the Northern Victorian Plains where it is now listed as critically endangered. One of the main problems affecting this ground-dwelling bird is that their chances of breeding successfully are very low. Curlew eggs and young are particularly vulnerable to predation by foxes and cats.
A stone-curlew working group bred and released a total of 85 young bush stone-curlews over 8 releases at two locations in southern NSW from 2008 to 2017. The group conducted the first successful release of bush stone-curlews in Australia and has been the driving force behind the establishment of numerous other similar programs across southeastern Australia. Many of the birds from these early releases have survived and been found breeding in the wild where predator control has been implemented and suitable habitat exists.
There is a managed captive breeding programme, which our birds from part of, and there are plans to release some of the offspring into suitably managed natural areas. While they are generally reliable breeders, it can take some pairs a few years to settle and breed successfully.
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Today we are looking at the Southern White Rhino:
🦏 Their horns are continually growing and is made from keratin just like our hair and nails.
🦏 They are grazers
🦏They can run up to 40kmh per hour
🦏 They weigh up to 2700kgs and babies are born weighing around 60kgs
Photo of the handsome Kapamba celebrating his 29th birthday with some presents. #grampians #nationalpark #visitmelbourneaustralia
Today is also International Tasmanian Devil Day.
We have 3 devils here at Halls Gap Zoo and you may see our new boys Messi and Knuckles out exploring their enclosure or Arti next door trying to suss out what the new boys are up to.
Messi and knuckles came from Aussie Ark who do an amazing job of breeding Tassie devils to help conserve this endangered species. In the wild devil populations have significantly reduced due to the Devil facial tumour disease, it is unfortunately a contagious cancer which is spread when they interact with each other primarily through biting but through breeding programs like Aussie Arks we are able to breed animals that are tumour free and have a healthy population of devils to conserve the species while scientists work on how to stop the disease spreading.
📸 keeper Darci
🐊🐊NEW ENCOUNTER🐊🐊 We are very excited to announce that we are now offering crocodile encounters where you can enter the croc pool and have a ride on Jugs. Some might say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Don’t worry we have safety at the forefront of our minds so riders must leave phones, jewellery, shoes and hats outside as to not give jugs a stomach ache.
Everyone gets to watch and at the same time we will also have one of our keepers doing a croc feed talk at the front of the exhibit.
Jugs can’t wait to meat you all!
Summer is over and we can slowly start to relax a little bit after such a stressful few months with the fires in the Grampians impacting the wildlife, the residents, visitors and all the surrounding businesses.
Now that the school holidays are almost here there is no better time to visit to show your support to the whole community the fires are gone the weather is beautiful the gift shop is stocked and all the animals are ready to welcome everyone for a busy school holidays we have lots planned from keeper talks, new encounters, Easter fun and even some animal birthday parties planned so lock in a date for a day trip or better yet come stay for a few nights to really soak in the Grampians and go on a hike, eat some ice cream, let someone else cook and clean the dishes for you and relax with a nice walk around the Zoo and book in to meet our friendly animals for an encounter you will remember-even the kids will go back to school remembering the meerkat they fed or the rhino they got to pat instead of telling their teacher they had McDonald’s for lunch one day.
Pre book for encounters via our website
Check out Parks Victoria website for hikes that are open within the National Park
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Today is all about the beautiful Emperor Tamarins 🥰
🐒 Females will usually give birth to twins and the whole family participate in raising the babies, they will carry them on their backs and pass them back to mum for a feed.
🐒 They live in family groups of around 15 animals
🐒 They have claws rather than nails and this adaptation allows them to cling to the trees
🐒Remember Monkeys are not pets and interacting with ‘cute’ monkey videos on social media contributes to the illegal pet trade.
🌟🌟Come and meet our baby wombat Sprout before he is wheeled away to his new home 🥹
Sprout is our very loveable and cheeky wombat and during an encounter you will get to pat him, watch him get the zoomies, take him for a little walk (unless the grass is especially delicious that day) and learn facts about all wombats and the 4 that call Halls Gap Zoo home. 🌟🌟
🔥 We are currently taking bookings till the end of school holidays.
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This week is all about Quokkas.
🌿 Quokkas are actually a species of Wallaby.
🌿They can go for up to a month without drinking water as they get most of their moisture requirement from the plants they eat.
🌿Quokkas can climb trees, believe it or not these guys can actually climb up to 2m to access some of their favourite leaves from trees.
Our little Quokka Ember is getting so big so quickly and even though she isn’t on display just yet you can book an encounter with her and get that perfect Quokka selfie and then feed her one of her favourite treats.
Visit the link below to book:
https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/encounters/
Week 5 of Fast Facts Friday, and we are looking up to our Giraffes. Literally!
🦒 Male giraffes are larger than females, weighing in at up to 1,900kg and often at a height of more than 5 meters tall.
🦒 They have a prehensile tongue which can extend 45cm.
🦒 Giraffe average 2 hours sleep a day, one of the shortest sleep requirements out of all mammals.
🦒 After 15 months of gestation, the female will give birth standing up. The young will drop to the floor and then stand, walk and feed within a few hours of being born. They are around 1.8m at birth and weigh 60-70kgs.
We have three giraffes at the Zoo who are all very observant. They know when someone is watching them.
Happy International Women’s Day! 🌸 Today, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere, but especially the amazing women we have on our team here at the Zoo who work through rain, hail and shine lifting bales of hay, carrying heavy branches, drilling holes, getting covered in dirt and mud and so much more to make sure our animals are cared for. Keep shining and keep supporting one another 💖💖
#internationalwomensday #lifteachotherup
🍀We are open every day this long weekend 🍀
Come and meet our animals, all our encounters are available this weekend (unless already booked), grab an ice cold drink from our food van 🧋 and enjoy seeing our animals exploring their enclosures in the sunshine ☀️
#longweekend #longweekendadventures #melbourne #hallsgapzoo #nationalpark #hallsgap #grampiansnationalpark #visitmelbourne
Fast Fact Friday’s subject for week 4 is our Meerkats, which is infact a type of mongoose, rather than a type of cat.
😎 Meerkats are highly observant and will use their long tail like a tripod with their legs to maintain a steady stance and higher vantage point.
😎 They live in groups of up to 30 individuals, where they will take turns in each role within the mob. This includes caring for the young, foraging or hunting, and sentry duty (standing guard for predators such snakes or eagles).
😎 Meerkat eyes are surrounded by dark circles to reduce glare from the sun. These ‘natural sunglasses’ allow them to spot predators easier in the open desert.
😎 They dig ‘bolt holes’ which are safe trenches for them to escape to in emergencies when they are foraging.
Our cheeky boys love their peas and corn. Hence, we had to name one of them Peas and his Brother was dubbed Corn.
