Our dedicated keeping team spend their days providing the best possible care for our wildlife and are also responsible for the encounters. The animals listed below represent less than half of the zoo’s animal population but includes many of the favourites.
Caring for our Wildlife
Our dedicated keeping team spend their days providing the best possible care for our wildlife and are also responsible for the encounters. Our animal care philosophy is based on agreed standards and a focus on constantly improving these. These standards are usually based on the husbandry standards from the Zoo and Aquarium Association and include the provision of enrichment, training programmes and conditioning the animals to make managing them easier, to build the relationships between staff and wildlife and to reduce unnecessary stress. Our enclosures are generally large and naturally landscaped. We seek and receive advice from the likes of Werribee Open Range Zoo and many of the regional zoos which includes advice on both veterinary and animal keeping standards. We do not have our own veterinary staff but rely on the keeping team to monitor and report health concerns on a daily basis, which we then discuss with our consultant vets as needed. Some preventative veterinary care such as parasite control is implemented by our keepers on the advise of our consulting vets.
As part of the essential dietary requirements and enrichment we have a staff member who cuts browse three days per week. This browse supplies key nutrition for browsers such as giraffe, enrichment and some food for the likes of primates and parrots. As well as this we plan and commit to key exhibit upgrades to improve animal welfare each year. The latest has been a spend of over $100,000 on the giraffe paddock substrate, and larger new enclosures for our salt-water crocodile and pig-nosed turtle. Next we are turning our focus to larger enclosures and dens for our breeding group of capuchin monkeys followed by upgrade for our wombats.
Cheetah Training
As part of building a trusting relationship with our cheetah boys, which makes managing the boys easier and stress free, our team have worked wonders with the training program. The video provides an insight into how this achieved and if you want to see it in action, consider booking the cheetah encounter.
Rhino Training
Ever wondered how our keepers manage a three to rhino to move where and when asked and to participate in voluntary health checks? The answer is a training program that is a win-win for the rhino and the keepers. This focusses on building trust and ensuring the rhino finds the training rewarding while presenting the right behaviours to make their management easy.
The video provides an insight into how this achieved and if you want to see it in action, consider booking the rhino encounter.
Capuchin Training
Primates are highly intelligent and if not managed correctly they can become unruly to both the keepers and each other. By using a consistent training program our keepers build a trusting relationship that enables them to manage the troops in a stress-free environment. The training also enables ease of health care and even the ability to move the animals with ease. The video provides an insight into how the keepers achieve some of the trained behaviours and if you lucky you may even catch a keeper in action while training is underway.
Follow us @hallsgapzoo
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday✨️✨️✨️
Let`s learn about Jungle Fowl!
🐓 All domestic Chickens evolved from Jungle Fowl. Like Dogs did from Wolfs.
🐓 Junglefowls are omnivores feeding mainly on seeds, roots, fruits and invertebrates.
🐓 Jungle fowl perform a coutship behaviour known as tidbitting, in which the male will repeatedly pick up and drop food before offering it to the female.
Come down and see how many Jungle Fowl chicks you can spot. Tickets avaliable on our website now.
Merry Christmas to you all, the whole Zoo crew wish you a day filled with laughter, friends and family.
Our keepers have been working as hard as Santa’s elves by creating enrichment to share their favourite holiday traditions with their animals. How many do you recognise? 🎁🎄🍪 What’s your favourite tradition when the season rolls around?
We hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas Day with your loved ones! We will see you back at the Zoo on Boxing Day (open 10am-5pm).
#christmastraditions #animalenrichment #zoofun
Shhh… 🤫
We’ve been keeping a secret… and it’s very good at blending in 👀💚
Keepers are sooo excited to announce that our fossil cave is now home to a Chameleon and a Green Tree Python
You might not spot them straight away but trust us, they’re here and they are stunning 😍 keepers and volunteers have done an incredible job on their enclosures.
Keep your eyes peeled on your next visit✨
#hallsgapzoo #greentreepython #chameleon #newadditions
🎄We will be closed on Christmas🎄
We are open every day all year round 10am - 5pm except for Christmas Day.
Dont worry though, our keepers will still be here making christmas day just as special for our animals too! ✨️🎄🦒
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday ✨️✨️✨️
Learn about Spotted-tailed Quolls!
🐾 Quolls are only the size of a grain of rice when they are born!
🐾 Quolls have the second stongest bite force compared to their body size of all predatory mammals after the tasmanian devil.
🐾 Quolls have quite large home ranges, travelling up to 6 kilometres a single night in search of food.
Can you spot our Spotted-tail Quolls? Give it a go today. Tickets avaliable on our website now!
#spottedtailquoll #dasyurusmaculatus #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
Will there be someone that chews like this at your Christams Lunch this year?
This is Shardul, thoroughly enjoying his panda mash. Lip smacking is cute, but only when animals do it.
Let us know your favourite Christmas Dish in the comments below ⬇️
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas #holidayseason #festiveseason
It’s a….Quokka
We are hopping with excitement to introduce Rooster our new male Quokka who has come to us as part of the breeding program.
Stay tuned for cuteness overload as Ember and Rooster start getting to know each other.
#hallsgapzoo #quokka #conservation #schoolholidays
Do you know someone who is obsessed with cheetahs? 🐆
Gift them with the perfect unforgettable experience this holiday season with a Cheetah Encounter. 🎁🎅
Head behind the scenes to get up close and personal with the fastest land animal on earth!
Experience cuteness aggression when you hear a cheetah chirp for the first time.
Book on our website now for an intimate and exclusive experience limited to two people per day on Wednesdays, Thusdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Check out these absolutely stunning shots captured by Keeper Darci 🤩🤩
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #cheetah #cheetahencounter
We think Zuri is the Cutest Cat out there! Here are some of our favourite photos of her. 😻🫶
Who is your favourite animal at the zoo? Share your best pics in the comments below and tell us why!! ⬇️⬇️
#hallsgapzoo #serval #leptailurusserval #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday✨️✨️✨️
Todays Fast Fact Friday is all about Green Iguanas!
🦎 Green Iguanas can voluntarily drop their tails in order to escape predators. This is known as caudual autonomy.
🦎 Green Iguanas are able to leap down from trees that are 15 meters tall without injury! Their bodys are built to absorb the shock, utilising their back legs to grab onto tree branches to lessen the fall.
🦎 Green Iguanas will extend the flap of skin underneath their chin, known as a dulap, as a form of non-verbal communication. Their dulap is used to thermoregulate, ward off predators and to impress the ladies.
Come down today to meet Shrek, our resident Green Iguana, in person. Book your tickets on our website now!
#greeniguana #iguanaiguana #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
The Festive Season is all about Family. Make some special memories this holidays here at Halls Gap Zoo. 👨👩👧👦👪👩👦
Explore our magical property set in the heart of the Grampians National Park where you will see many wild native species as well as over 120 different species from all around the world, ranging from our largest, the Southern White Rhino, to our smallest, Australia`s own Green Tree Frog. 🎄🎁🎅
Go to our Website to book your Tickets Now!
#hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #christmas #holidayseason #festiveseason
✨️✨️✨️Fast Fact Friday ✨️✨️✨️
Let`s learn about Lace Monitors!
🦎 Lace monitors are the second largest lizard in Australia after the Perentie.
🦎 Lace monitors come in 2 different colour forms; standard and bells phase. Bells phase lace monitors have thick yellow and black bands.
🦎 Lace monitors lay their eggs inside termite mounds. This helps to incubate the eggs before the mother comes back to dig them up when they hatch.
Did you know that all monitors in the world are related! They are all in the same genus, Varanus. Check out three different iconic Australian Monitors here at the Zoo, the Lace Monitor, the Heath Monitor and the Largest Monitor in Australia, the Perentie!
Go to our Website to book your tickets Now!
#lacemonitor #varanusvarius #hallsgapzoo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
‼️Volunteer Applications Open‼️
We are looking for some passionate and enthusiastic volunteers to join the team here at Halls Gap Zoo! 🦒🦦🦘🦅🐍
Gain hands-on experience and learn from our dedicated keepers across all rounds at the Zoo (+ cuddle some cute critters)
We can`t thank our volunteers enough for all of the hard work that they do. It really makes a difference for both our keepers and animals. 🫶
We have only a few limited spots available! 18+ only.
Go to the Volunteer section on our Website to Apply Now!
#hallsgapzoo #volunteer
Did anyone tell you it’s almost December 🙀🎄🎅
Buy the kids something they’ll really remember….
Voucher available online https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/gift-voucher/
#hallsgapzoo #visitmelbourne #visitgrampians
Our keepers work hard to keep our exhibits well maintained.
You, our visitors aren’t the only ones that enjoy them. Daku, one of our three male dingoes loves the smell of freshly mowed grass. 🍀🍂
Learn more about dingoes and their unique personalities in a Dingo Encounter. Head over to our website now to book your Encounter!
#hallsgapzoo #dingo #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne
You guys asked for it and here it is- a toy version of Pumba our Scottish highland bull and it’s already stealing hearts 💕
Even though Pumba is a big strong boy and we thought he would love it turns out there’s only room for one Pumba at the zoo but that’s ok this soft, squishy and full of charm replica is the perfect cuddle buddy for all cattle lovers out there.
Grab yours before they all wonder off the shelf! #hallsgapzoo #scottishhighland #grampians
FAST FACT FRIDAY
Burmese pythons:
🐍 They can get up to 5m long and over 75kg
🐍 They are great swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes
🐍 Being pythons they do not have venom and will kill their prey by constricting them.
We have 2 Burmese Pythons here at Halls Gap Zoo and in the summer months you may be lucky enough to see us take Doug out for a walk and truly get an appreciation for his size even though he is only a tiny 35kg he still takes at least 3 keepers to carry him.
#hallsgapzoo #burmesepython
📢 Early Closure Notice
We are closing early today for staff training to help our team continue providing the best possible service to you.
The Zoo will be open from 10am until 4.15pm on the 12th November.
We will reopen at our regular hours tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding and continued support!
Treat yourself with a magical experience up close and personal with our Otters here at Halls Gap Zoo!
Tong feed our girls their lunch and learn from our experienced carnivore keepers during an Otter Encounter. If you’re lucky enough you might get the chance to hold their hands, they’re softer than you can imagine!
Book now at: https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/otter-encounter/
#hallsgapzoo #otter #otterencounter #visitmelbourne #visitgrampians
A reminder that we are OPEN 10am-5pm everyday except Christmas Day.
If you are looking for a fun day out, we have animal encounters, keeper talks and our food van is open today.
See you all soon
#hallsgapzoo #zoo #grampians #publicholiday
👻🎃 Don’t let those sweet faces fool you… Our Otters have a spooky side! 😱🦦
When the lights go down, they turn into tiny water goblins sneaking, splashing and plotting their next fright for keepers!
Are they cute? Always.
Are they spooky? For keepers walking into work…everyday but for guests just enough for Halloween. 🎃
Happy Halloween from our hauntingly adorable otters!
#hallsgapzoo #halloween #booatthezoo
🌧️ Rainy Days at the Zoo 🌧️
While the rain might send most people indoors life at the zoo carries on but we are just a little soggier! ☔
Some of our animals actually enjoy a good drizzle eg. The Water Buffalo make sure the job gets done properly while others enjoy it from the comfort of their shelter.
For the zookeepers, rainy days mean a bit more mud on the boots and suddenly everyone needs to read SOP’s 🤪
They make sure everyone stays cozy and well fed and that all the shelters are snug and dry.
So even when the rain pours, there’s always plenty of life and laughter behind the scenes at the zoo!
Spring is well under way here at the Zoo with so many new cute little faces!
Pack yourself a lunch and come and enjoy the weather. See how many babies you can spot. How cute are these baby Chinese Geese Goslings and Jungle Fowl Chicks!
#hallsgapzoo #chinesegeese #junglefowl #visitgrampians #visitmelbourne #babyanimals
It’s official, the votes are in!
After much deliberation, we have agreed on the names for our new baby Indian Star Tortoises and Himalayan Tahr…
We’d like to thank everyone who commented on our recent facebook posts and joined in during the baby shower, we have loved all the suggestions.
We are delighted to introduce you to Terrance, Jharal and Marcous our Himalayan Tahr and Tortellini, Voldertort and Speedy our Indian Star Tortoises
#hallsgapzoo #startortoise #tahr #grampians
Thankyou everyone who put in suggestions to name our 3 new Star Tortoises 🌟
All our keepers are now voting and we will let you know the results soon.
#hallsgapzoo #startortoise #schoolholidayfun
🪶 Ok… who blinked and let these guys grow up so quick?! 👀
Our baby emus aren’t so little anymore and we can’t believe how fast they’ve grown, come and see them these school holidays before they loose their adorable stripes and if your lucky enough they may even come over for some food (food available at the front desk).
📸 Keeper Caroline
#hallsgapzoo #babyemus #schoolholidays #Grampians
🐾🎉 It’s International Red Panda Day and what better way to celebrate than by booking an encounter to meet one our very own dynamic duo!
With fluffy tails, little paws, and endless charm, our Red Pandas are ready to steal your heart (and maybe a snack or two). 🌟💕
Trust us when we say this is one encounter you will not forget.
#hallsgapzoo #encounter #redpanda #schoolholidays #experiences
Beautiful spring day the animals are loving the morning sun.
If your friend chews this loud, it’s annoying… but when a lemur does it, it’s the cutest thing ever. 💕🙊 #hallsgapzoo #lemur
Say hello to our newest additions.
We recently welcomed 3 new young Tahr who have settled in well with our 2 older boys. Aren’t they just adorable? 🥰
They are still yet to be named so if you have a suggestion leave a comment below 👇
#hallsgapzoo #tahr #newanimals
🌧️ Father’s Day is almost here! While the forecast is looking a little gloomy for Sunday, why not make the most of the sunshine beforehand and plan your visit for Saturday? ☀️🐾
Bring Dad along for an adventure at the zoo this weekend it’s the perfect way to spend quality time together before the weather turns.
And if you’re still looking for the ultimate gift, our animal encounters make an unforgettable present that Dad will never forget. 🦏🦒🐆🐍
🎟️ Book your encounters now and give Dad a wild experience this Father’s Day!
#hallsgapzoo #fathersday #familyday #encounter #presentfordad
How amazing is it that we get to inspire the next generation of zookeepers, it is a good reminder that the love for animals and conservation starts early.
Don’t they look the part all dressed up for book week at school 🥰
Check out our Zoo Keeper for a day program to see what a day looks like for our Zookeepers and get up close to a range of different species.
#minikeepers #hallsgapzoo
🐾 Ever wondered what it’s really like to be a zookeeper? 🦓🦒🐒
Now’s your chance!
Drop your questions for our amazing zookeepers in the comments below ⬇️
They’ll be answering everything from fun animal facts to what a day in the life of a keeper looks like.
What have you always wanted to know?
We will video our keepers answering your questions and post it in the coming weeks.
Nothing but sunshine all weekend long ☀️
Now is the time to get to the zoo and see the adorable Emu chicks before they grow any bigger (it happens way too fast).
#hallsgapzoo #emubabies #grampians
Polo puts the cheeky into cheeky monkey 🙈 #hallsgapzoo #capuchin
It’s International Golden Lion Tamarin day 🎉
Today we celebrate such amazing creatures that we are so lucky to be able to work with.
#hallsgapzoo #goldenliontamarin #internationalgoldenliontamarinday
✨✨✨FAST FACT FRIDAY✨✨✨
🐊Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 7m in length and weigh over 1,000kg 😱
🐊These guys are ambush predators and will patiently wait for the right time to strike they can hold their breath for hours underwater.
🐊Only 1% of hatchlings will make it to adulthood
Remember to be crocwise when in croc country
#hallsgapzoo #saltwatercrocs #becrocwise
How good was that rain?? Our dams are actual dams and no longer holes in the ground BUT this weekend is looking to be nothing but gorgeous winter sunshine 🌞 the animals are sure to be out and about sunning themselves so pop in and say hello maybe even book that encounter you’ve been wanting to do and enjoy spending the day out of the house as we all know that sunshine + animals= The perfect day
Book now via our website (link in our bio)
#hallsgapzoo #encounters #grampians
Everything’s better when we’re together 💜
#hallsgap #hallsgapzoo #visitvic
Kingston clearly isn’t paying the hay bills 🤑🤑
He sure does love a good hay hat and I have to say we think he looks quite handsome.
#hay #rhino #visitmelbourne #encounter
✨✨✨FAST FACT FRIDAY✨✨✨
Brush Tailed Rock Wallaby:
🦘 As the name would suggest, these wallabies live in shrubbed areas close to rocks and cliffs, which they will escape to when hiding from predators.
🦘The southern brush-tailed rock wallaby is critically endangered. Victoria has roughly 50 individuals left in the wild. In 2008 a few individuals were reintroduced back into the wild in the Grampians National Park and are closely monitored.
🦘Brush-tailed rock wallabies live in groups with one male and many females. When a male joey is born, it will live with the group until maturity and then disperse to find a new group.
We have 10 Brush Tailed Rock Wallabies here at Halls Gap Zoo and they are amazing at hiding in their rocky habitat try to spot them all next time you are visiting.
Just a reminder that our food van is open everyday of the school holidays from 10am-2pm, grab your coffee or hot chocolate to sip on and keep you warm on these winter days as you walk around the zoo.
#coffee #schoolholidays #zoo #animals #encounters #grampians #glowfestival
