Construction for the new 'Kangaroo Country' will begin next year, which will also include Goodfellow's tree kangaroo, parma wallaby, "potoroos", "bandicoots" and "wombats" (species not mentioned): Kangaroos on the move at Healesville Sanctuary | Zoos Victoria
Nice development for the immediate future. How many Goodfellow's tree kangaroos still reside at Healesville?
Hello Zoochatters, Next year I will be doing my lifelong trip through Australia and as a zoo-nerd will be visiting some of the best (in my opinion) zoos and wildlife parks which includes Healesville Sanctuary too. I’m especially interested in native fauna and would like to ask if someone is able to provide list of native mammals being currently kept in Sanctuary, particulary smaller creatures in the nocturnal house ? I’d really appreciate any response. Jakub
@Jakub Healesville Sanctuary has a great range of native mammals, and among the smaller species are: echidna, platypus, bettong, potoroo and bandicoots, many sharing with other species in aviaries or other exhibits. Most of the small mammal collection is in the nocturnal house, and a visitg during the (11am?) talk would be useful, as then you can also talk to a keeper about any of the species. Sometimes there are also mammals in the animal hospital that you can view. The Nocturnal House line up on my last visit was (roughly) as follows: -Mountain Pygmy Possum -Feathertail Glider -Brown Antechinus -Spinifex Hopping Mouse -Eastern Quoll -Red-tailed Phascogale + Greater Bilby -Eastern Barred Bandicoot + Leadbeater's Possum -Brush-tailed Bettong + Squirrel Glider -Numbat (I think, the first exhibit often holds this species, but seems to only hold un-required, post-reproductive animals who "retire" at Healesville, and therefore often don't live very long)/
@zooboy28 many thanks for your reply. What a wonderful range of species in the nocturnal house. I am particularly keen on seeing Pygmy Possum and Leadbeater's Possum, glad to hear they are on-show.
The Mountain Pygmy Possums are usually very active and visible, but often move very quickly. The Leadbeater's are harder to spot, might need multiple visits and some time watching the upper branches.