Moonlit Sanctuary press release » Moonlit Sanctuary

Moonlit Sanctuary press release
20-02-2008

A pair of threatened Yellow-bellied gliders have taken up residence at Moonlit Sanctuary, near Melbourne Australia. The gliders are part of a breeding program as the species has declined in numbers in the wild because of habitat loss. Moonlit Sanctuary is only one of two places to house the gliders, and the only one in Victoria.

Yellow-bellied gliders, also known as Fluffy gliders, are found in the mountain forests down the east coast of Australia. They can glide up to 150 metres between giant Mountain Ash, the world’s tallest flowering trees, and can make 90o turns mid flight. Living so high up in trees, and being active at night, they are almost impossible to see in the wild.

They are known as Fluffy Gliders because of their soft fur and long bushy tails. Gentle giants, they are more than 20 times heavier than their better known relative, the Sugar Glider. In the wild they feed on the sap of trees, as well as fruits and insects.

Yellow-bellied Gliders can be seen on Moonlit Sanctuary evening tours, where they take great interest in their human visitors. Moonlit Sanctuary is located 50 minutes from the centre of Melbourne at the top of the Mornington Peninsula.

Attached Images

Yellow bellied glider at Moonlit Sanctuary.jpg (66.4 KB, 12 views)

20-02-2008

Where have these come from?

21-02-2008

Where did they come from? They are part of a managed population, and came from Taronga Zoo, who bred them. Moonlit and Taronga are the only places to hold this species.

21-02-2008

THEy are a nice species, very cute, good luck with them!

Awards press release
4 Weeks Ago

Moonlit Sanctuary wins Protection of Environment award!

31st May 2009

Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park is extremely honoured to have won the Protection of the Environment Award in the Keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Cities awards. The awards were presented at a ceremony last Friday night in Melbourne.

The award recognises “outstanding achievement in the protection of the natural environment with particular focus on the preservation of native fauna and flora”.

Judges commended the Sanctuary’s aim to display the fauna that was found in the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve prior to European settlement, and were particularly impressed with our evening walks, where visitors get close to many unusual and endangered native animals, and learn about them in an entertaining way.

It was gratifying to receive the award as an acknowledgement of our work with endangered species, our education programs, and the efforts we have made with revegetation and implementation of sustainable practices in management of the Sanctuary. It was also an honour for an organisation operating without government support to be given the award.

Moonlit Sanctuary was opened in 2001, and is located at Pearcedale at the top of Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.

Michael Johnson

W Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park