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
Lizard encounters are a fantastic way to meet reptiles such as the bearded dragon or an adorable shingleback lizard. 🦎
With a minimum age of only 4, this encounter is perfect for the whole family. Jump onto our website for bookings https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/lizard-encounter/
📸 Laura (@droningaustralia )
#beardeddragon #lizard #reptile #hallsgapzoo #melbourne #victoria #grampians
Brother and sister black-capped capuchins, Pollo and Frankie love playing together all day long 😍🐵
📸 Supervisor Mila
#capuchin #monkey #primate #hallsgapzoo #melbourne #victoria #grampians
There’s nothing quite like the beauty of a peacock 🦚
Their vibrant feathers aren’t just for show – they’re part of a dazzling display to attract mates! The more vibrant the feathers, the healthier and stronger the peacock is considered, making him a more desirable partner.
📸 Laura (@droningaustralia )
#peacock #bird #hallsgapzoo #victoria #melbourne #grampians
Who knew an elk could be so adorable 🦌
Romeo is a bit of a showstopper with his impressive horns, and they’re still growing!
Romeo’s antlers can grow at a rate of up to an inch per day during their peak growth phase!
📸 Keeper Kane
#elk #hoofstock #hallsgapzoo #melbourne #victoria #grampians
Tongue out Tuesday with Sumari 🦒
📸 Laura (@droningaustralia )
#tongueouttuesday #giraffe #hallsgapzoo #victoria #melbourne
🦅 Meet Hummer, our magnificent Wedge-Tailed Eagle! 🦅
Hummer’s journey is one of resilience and strength. After being struck by a truck in the wild, this incredible bird of prey was left unable to return to the skies. Now, Hummer calls Halls Gap Zoo home, where he is cared for by our dedicated team.
Though he can’t fly free as he once did due to the permanent injuries he sustained, leaving him unable to hunt for himself, Hummer’s story reminds us of the challenges wildlife face every day on our busy roads. Despite his past, Hummer continues to soar in spirit, and we are lucky to have him as a symbol of both the fragility and strength of nature.
Come visit Hummer at Halls Gap Zoo and learn more about these magnificent eagles and the amazing work we do to protect wildlife!
📸 Laura @droningaustralia
#wedgetailedeagle #bird #raptor #birdofprey #hallsgapzoo #melbourne #grampians
That feeling when you realise it’s almost the weekend 💃🪩🦜
#rainbowlorikeet #lorikeet #hallsgapzoo #victoria #grampians #visitmelbourne #bird
Birri the Tasmanian Devil! 🖤
Tasmanian devils are incredible nighttime scavengers with a sense of smell strong enough to detect carrion up to a kilometer away! At night, they roam long distances, using their keen noses to locate food. And despite their reputation, these little Aussies are known to be quite gentle with each other in social settings, often sharing meals together!
#tasmaniandevil #marsupial #hallsgapzoo #grampians #melbourne
🌿🐾 Meet the brush-tailed rock wallaby! 🐾🌿
This charming marsupial, known for its distinctive brushy tail and agile climbing skills, is a true gem of Australia’s wildlife. Found in rocky outcrops and rugged terrains, these little adventurers are not just adorable; they’re also vital to their ecosystem.
Sadly, their populations have dwindled due to habitat loss and predators. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique creatures and their habitats.
Let’s spread the word and support efforts to keep the brush-tailed rock wallaby bouncing into the future! 💚✨
#Hallsgapzoo #BrushTailedRockWallaby #Australia #marsupial #victoria #grampians #wallaby
Pollo, I don`t think that`s how you`re supposed to use a rake. 🤔
#capuchin #hallsgapzoo #monkey #blackcappedcapuchin #Melbourne #visitvictoria #grampians #primate
When both the pony and the wombat need a daily walk 🥰
#barenosedwombat #wombat #pony #hallsgapzoo #grampians #visitmelbourne
James the ostrich showing all he has to offer 🪶
📸 Supervisor Mila
#ostrich #dancing #hallsgapzoo #VisitMelbourne #grampians #victoria #bird
When someone takes a photo of you mid meal 🫢🐠🦦
Meet our 4 otter girls for lunch by booking in an encounter https://hallsgapzoo.com.au/shop/otter-encounter/
#otter #asiansmallclawedotter #Victoria #hallsgapzoo #grampians
🎃🐊🐍🦏 Spooky Season Special: Debunking Scary Animal Myths!🦏🐍🐊🎃
Happy Halloween from Halls Gap Zoo! 👻 Are you feeling a bit spooked by crocodiles, snakes, or rhinos? We’ve got a treat for you! Check out our latest video where we debunk some common fears about these amazing creatures and reveal why they’re not as scary as they seem.
From the gentle nature of rhinos to surprising facts about living with snakes and crocs, you’ll discover the truth behind the fright!
This Halloween, let’s celebrate the beauty and importance of all animals. Click the video below and see them in a whole new light!
#HallsGapZoo #Halloween #AnimalFacts #reptiles #Crocodiles #Snakes #Rhinos #spider #melbourne #grampians #lizard #perentie
