What do you know about zoos?
Zoos Victoria is a world-leading zoo-based conservation organisation. As a not-for-profit, proceeds from zoo entry goes towards helping wildlife.
Hear from our passionate experts as they explain the role of modern zoos.
How do zoos help wildlife?
At Zoos Victoria, we are dedicated to protecting wildlife. We are involved in conservation partnerships locally and globally, champion conservation through grass-roots community campaigns, educate the next generation, and support more than 50 research projects that benefit both ecological communities and key species.
Protecting 27 Local Threatened Species
Zoos Victoria runs and delivers more captive breeding and recovery programs than any other institution within Australia. A lot of this is done through the programs dedicated to saving 27 local threatened species from extinction.
Our people are passionate and focused on the conservation of our wildlife, and so much of our success with these programs is achieved through partnerships.
Conservation wins from the year so far
In 2021, we have:
- Released 8 Critically Endangered Plains-wanderers to the wild
Number left in the wild: 250 - 1000 - Successfully bred Critically Endangered species:
- 50 Grassland Earless Dragons
Number left in the wild: not seen in Victoria since 1969 - four Mountain Pygmy-possums
Number left in the wild: fewer than 2,000 - 21 Helmeted Honeyeaters
Number left in the wild: fewer than 200 - 11 Eastern Barred Bandicoots
Number left in the wild: extinct in the wild on mainland Australia
- 50 Grassland Earless Dragons
- Helped Critically Endangered Mountain Pygmy-possums by developing and trialling an alternative food source to the Bogong Moth. The ‘Bogong Bikkies’ supplemented New South Wales populations of possums left without food after the Black Summer bushfires
- Worked with partners to rescue Endangered Spotted Tree-frogs and Vulnerable Giant Burrowing Frog tadpoles from 2019-20 bushfire-impacted areas to establish new conservation breeding programs for these species
- Celebrated the long-awaited release of 20 Critically Endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoots into the care of three specially trained Maremma Guardian Dogs at Mooramong and two at Dunkeld. Watch more on this below.
Responding to wildlife emergencies
From the Marine Response Unit to our scientists and vets, we have experts working in the field and ready to respond when animals need help.
This was highlighted in the aftermath of the 2020 bushfires. Our teams were among some of the first responders on the ground, and rescued and rehabilitated many animals at Healesville Sanctuary's Australian Wildlife Health Centre.
In addition, over $10.9 million has been donated by both individuals and organisations and is now being allocated to fund wildlife recovery work and prepare for any future catastrophic bushfire events impacting wildlife.
With community support and expertise, our organisation is determined to be prepared to meet future demand and help communities respond to both human and wildlife needs in the face of such emergencies.
From the essential work our keepers do with the animals in our care, through to our scientists working dynamically in the field, we protect wildlife and fight extinction.
Who knew it was the zoo?
