Zoos Victoria marks 160 years of wildlife conservation

Melbourne Zoo will be celebrating 160 years of wildlife conservation with a series of free children’s activities during the upcoming school holiday activities.

All children under 16 can join in the 160th celebrations at all of Zoos Victoria's locations - Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary - for free during the school holidays, as well as weekends and public holidays, funded by the Victorian Government’s $20 million Kids Go Free initiative.

Melbourne Zoo has erected a pop-up maze and 160th anniversary themed photo opportunity for visitors to record special memories, while Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary have exciting opportunities for children to join in nature play and art-inspired activities.

Melbourne Zoo is Australia’s oldest, still retaining the same 55-hectare footprint as when it opened its gates on 6th October 1862.

It originally housed mostly domestic and wild animals, such as deer, boar and birds that had been imported to Australia from overseas.

From its origins, Zoos Victoria has grown to include Werribee Open Range Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and, later this year, Kyabram Fauna Park in northern Victoria. All engage the wider community in wildlife conservation, educating and empowering visitors to take positive action for wildlife.

Together, Victoria’s Zoos currently care for more than 4,500 animals across 350 species, with a focus on fighting wildlife extinction here in Victoria and across Australia with a focus on 27 local threatened species, as well as internationally.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $305 million in Zoos Victoria since 2014 along with more than $560 million in protecting biodiversity during the same period.

Opening an exhibition charting Zoos Victoria’s history and its transformation into a world-leading conservation organisation at Melbourne Zoo, Victorian Minister for the Environment and Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio stated “we’re proud to celebrate 160 years of Zoos Victoria - our world-class zoos play an integral role in the conservation of threatened species across Victoria, Australia and internationally.

“Thanks to our ‘Kids Go Free’ initiative, all children under 16 can enjoy the 160th anniversary activities at Zoos Victoria this school holidays and fall in love with wildlife.”

Zoos Victoria Chief Executive, Dr Jenny Gray added “over the past 160 years, Zoos Victoria has grown into a world-leading zoo-based conservation organisation, working with the community to fight wildlife extinction.

“The science of animal welfare drives Zoos Victoria’s ongoing research into how we provide the best opportunities for the animals in our care and the wildlife beyond the zoo walls.”

Melbourne Zoo image courtesy of Zoos Victoria.