Werribee Open Range Zoo opens Bandicoot Hideout

The Werribee Open Range Zoo has opened a new space, the Bandicoot Hideout, providing visitors to the Zoo with a rare opportunity to see an Eastern Barred Bandicoot along with other natives including Squirrel Gliders, Fat-tailed Dunnarts, Growling Grass Frogs, Tawny Frog Mouth and the Striped Legless Lizard.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Director Sally Lewis said the opening of the Bandicoot Hideout marked an important milestone in the Zoo’s fight to save the Eastern Barred Bandicoot.

Lewis explained “this is the first time that our visitors will be able to come face to face with these amazing animals.

“Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of a successful breeding and release program for the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and we’ve done a lot of work in creating a predator-proof haven for the nocturnal species, but until now it’s been very difficult to engage our visitors in the fight for its survival.

“The Bandicoot Hideout is the missing piece of that puzzle; a fun and engaging place where we hope families will fall love with the Eastern Barred Bandicoot and its grassland habitat and be inspired to take action.”

Once widespread across Western Victoria, Eastern Barred Bandicoots are now considered to be extinct in the wild of mainland Australia, existing only in zoos and predator-proof release sites including Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Daily Keeper Talks in the Bandicoot Hideout will provide visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the Eastern Bandicoot and chat to the Keepers who care for them.

The Bandicoot Hideout will be a highlight of the Zoo’s school holiday program, Creatures of the Night, which also includes screenings of rare night time footage of animals captured by Keepers.

Click here to visit the Werribee Open Range Zoo website.

28th April 2014 - RANGER KIDS OPENS AT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO