Our Zoo plays an important role in support of a number of regional breeding programs and many of the animals belong to these breeding programs. We are particularly proud of our breeding results for the spot-tailed quoll program. Conservation education is at the heart of the zoos purpose.
The Role of Zoos in Conservation
Conservation staff have consistently sought to avoid the extinction of species in the wild, often by eliminating potential threats such as invasive species, habitat degradation, and poaching. In many instances, however, field conservation measures may be inadequate and not all species can be effectively conserved in their native habitats and this is where captive breeding often plays a key role in the fight against species extinction.
Australian Conservation Programs
We support and participate in a variety of native species programs. For some species, we hold single sex animals until they are required for breeding and for others, we are active breeders of the species.
Global Species Programs
We participate in a number of conservation breeding programs for global species such as lemurs, rhino, red panda and cheetah. Each individual in these programs is managed on a studbook to ensure the genetic health of the breeding population.
CONTRIBUTE
TO OUR PROGRAMs
Your visit helps us continue our work but if you would like to assist us further, please consider becoming a member or making a donation towards our breeding programs.
Each year Australasian zoos and aquariums connect 22 million people with wildlife, fostering a love for our global species and educating people about positive actions we can all take to help save them.
Follow us @hallsgapzoo
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Today is about Black Capped Capuchins
🐒 They do what is called urine washing so they will pee into their hands and feet and rub it all over them to leave their scent as they travel through the forests.
🐒 They are very intelligent and will use tools to help them break open food sources.
🐒 They have semi prehensile tails and only juveniles can hang their whole body weight from their tail while adults will still need to support themselves with their arms or legs
Pictured is Marko and Polo the cheekiest father and son duo you ever did meet.
Today we pause to remember the courage and sacrifice of all who served not only the men and women but also the animals who helped our soldiers.
We remember and thank all of them, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Just a reminder that we are open everyday this long weekend 10am-5pm everyday.
#hallsgapzoo #visitmelbourne #grampians #longweekend
Thank You for Hopping By!
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our Easter Bunny Hunt at the zoo! It was great to see so many smiling faces and families enjoying the day together. Your enthusiasm made the event extra special!
The total count of bunnies hidden around the zoo was 26, did you find them all?
We hope you had as much fun finding bunnies as we did hiding them.
#hallsgapzoo #easter #visitmelbourne #grampians
Happy Easter from all of us at the Zoo.
We’re sending warm wishes your way for a day filled with love, laughter, and maybe a few bunny hops!
Enjoy the sweet treats and some wild moments with the ones you love.
Our animals clearly had fun with some Easter themed enrichment.
#grampians #grampiansvictoria #visitmelbourne #longweekend #Easterhunt #easterbunny #visitmelbourneaustralia #zoo
Don’t forget our Easter Bunny Hunt is on all weekend!
Keep an eye out, count all the bunnies you see and put your guess in our raffle box that will be drawn at 3.30pm everyday.
Make sure to follow our social media pages to find out the correct answer on Tuesday.
Here is a little hint to get you started:
“The bunny’s journey has just begun,
Snuggling close with more than one.
Fluffy friends with button eyes,
That’s where the first surprise lies!”
#Easterhunt #easterbunny #longweekend #grampians #visitmelbourne #visitmelbourneaustralia
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These little legends love hanging out motionless on tree trunks like it’s a full-time job. They’re not fire-breathing, but they do give serious “forest guardian” vibes and they will judge you silently from a branch…
BOYD’S FOREST DRAGON
They are quite different compared to other reptiles in the fact they do not rely on basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
Babies are independent straight after they hatch from the eggs.
They are masters of camouflage and use this to protect themselves from predators.
They are native to rainforests in northeastern Australia with the Daintree rainforest being a good place to try and spot them.
#grampians #schoolholidays #easter #nationalpark #hallsgapzoo #zoo #boydsforestdragon
This Easter on all 4 days we’re turning the zoo into a bunny-filled adventure! Count all the hidden bunnies scattered throughout the zoo for your chance to WIN an exclusive Lizard or Dingo encounter *conditions apply.
#hallsgapzoo #easter #schoolholidays
🎉🎉 We are OPEN every day this weekend 10am-5pm so hop on over to the zoo for some Easter fun! 🎉 🎉
We are celebrating with some Egg-stra special activities, lots of encounters, keeper talks, our food van is open and our keepers can’t wait to share some Easter fun with the animals.
Stay tuned for details of our Easter themed activity with a prize that we have planned for each day of the long weekend.
Don’t forget to pre-book encounters to avoid disappointment.
#hallsgapzoo #grampians #schoolholidays #grampiansnationalpark #visitmelbourne #longweekend
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Today is all about Red Pandas
🍁 Red Pandas are not related to Giant pandas.
🍁They are classed as a carnivore even though their diet mainly consists of bamboo.
🍁 They are an arboreal species meaning they live up in the trees and they rely on the trees for camouflage to protect them from predators.
If you want to see just how cute they are in person now is your chance, you can get up close with our 2 red pandas as you feed them some tasty treats they will walk over you lap and pose for a photo with a paw on your shoulder.
Book an encounter by visiting our website
#hallsgapzoo #visitmelbourne #grampians
#grampiansnationalpark #redpanda #schoolholidays
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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
