oh, I thought you might have been there in the afternoon too. Okay, there are some new photos in the gallery that I put there the other day. The walk-in aviary is very nice indeed, and is near the entrance (to the left) next to the new (2015) wombat enclosures which you also may not have seen unless they are on the night tour. I'm not sure about the other one you mention? There is a set of three aviaries in the wallaby area which had those species previously, but they weren't walk-in. The eagle aviary is really nice too, I liked it, haven't seen another one designed like that before (I think I've only ever seen birds of prey in standard aviaries or tethered). There are a few new bits and pieces about the place to see next time you go there.
No, I missed the day visit unfortunately. But I did see the (excellent) new wombat exhibits. I was wrong about those aviaries being walk-in, because of course they are not, it is just the viewing shelters that are walk in! The new eagle aviary looks great, and I don;t recall having seen anything similar - although it kind of reminds me of the Livingstone's Fruit Bat exhibit at Jersey Zoo.
I didn't actually note the species at Moonlit while I was there, but I just now wrote up a species list (excluding reptiles) and attached it to the 2014 review so that it could be easily compared to that older version. There are a few new species there since 2014, including Kangaroo Island kangaroos. Moonlit Sanctuary - Review from 27 May 2014 (with updated species list June 2017)
Is there a chance that Moonlit Sanctuary will keep any Tasmanian endemic fauna in the future, such as Tasmanian devils, giant yabbies or other endangered Australian fauna like mountain pygmy possums?
Moonlit Sanctuary already hold Tasmanian devils, and are heavily involved with orange-bellied parrots. We have held eastern bettongs and red-bellied pademelons since we opened and have held eastern quolls in the past and plan to again in the near future. Of course none of these three species are Tasmanian endemics but all survive in the wild only in Tasmania presently. Actually there are not large numbers of endemic Tasmanian species to choose from. If we were to hold a giant freshwater crayfish (and we would like to) it would probably be the local Gippsland spiny crayfish. Regarding threatened fauna, about one third of the species at Moonlit Sanctuary have a conservation status. We prefer to work with programs for threatened species, and are involved with programs of one sort or another for orange-bellied parrots, regent honeyeaters, Tasmanian devils, spot-tailed quolls, and bush stone-curlews. We are unlikely to be involved with mountain pygmy possums unless the program requires additional spaces.
Great to know. Your zoo is very unique and inspirational. I am still figuring this hypothetical scenario out but if I were only able to go to Aus for a weekend or so Melbourne and Moonlit seems like a top. candidate for my choice of where to go.
Moonlit Sanctuary has just opened it's new dingo habitat. At around 1000m2, it is more than 8 times the size of the old exhibit. Included in the habitat are two rocky outcrops and a small forest. A bathing pool and sand pit are yet to be finished.
Sounds great, and by the looks of the map it is located up by the old wombat exhibit? What will become of the existing dingo exhibit?
The new enclosure is on the opposite, ie west side, of the wetlands. The old enclosure is being demolished and the space will become part of a rebuilt and expanded koala area. This by the way is our third dingo enclosure.
The new koala complex at Moonlit Sanctuary is now open. It consists of a large enclosure for up to 6-8 koalas (and typically will be used to hold females), four smaller enclosures for 1 - 3 koalas and an encounter area with improved queuing and presentation areas. Visitor access is via a raised walkway, including under cover observation areas with glass windows to provide easy viewing for children and those in wheelchairs. The complex occupies the entire area used for koalas previously as well as the old dingo enclosure area. We have managed to include a number of mature eucalyptus in the enclosures which adds considerably to the ambience. Even the smaller enclosures are about 3 times the size of the previous enclosures. While the complex is in use and accessible to patrons, it is not yet complete with decorative panelling and landscaping to be completed.
Thrilled to announce the first breeding at Moonlit of the Critically. Endangered Regent Honeyeater. Two chicks fledged today.
Really nice breeding result and another successful holder institution for the regent's recovery in situ. Well done.
We dispatched 3 orange-bellied parrots to Tasmania last Tuesday and they will be released early next week. 8524306B-0AE2-4E76-AA25-C8889A8C2E6E by MRJ posted 19 Oct 2017 at 1:00 PM
