ZooTube

Baby giraffe zoomies into the spotlight!

He’s 87kg (and counting), nearly two metres tall, almost two weeks old and now Melbourne Zoo’s giraffe calf has taken his first steps out on habitat to the delight of visitors and keepers alike. The son of first-time mother 13-year-old Nakuru and six-year-old father, Klintun, has leaped into the big wide world, trotting curiously behind Nakuru and showing a real enthusiasm for exploring.

Published 13 August 2025

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: GIRAFFE CALF TRIES WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME AT MELBOURNE ZOO

Please enjoy this update of Melbourne’s newest (and cutest)! Our 11-day-old giraffe calf has been busy nursing and stacking on weight. Here you can see him learn to sip from a water drinker, with mum Nakuru looking on.

For now, he likes to stick close to Nakuru and is curious about the rest of the herd, which includes Iris and the calf’s father, Klintun. We’re looking forward to learning more about this new addition to Melbourne Zoo!

Published 12 August 2025

These are not sound effects - it's all one bird!

A master of mimicry, Apollo the Superb Lyrebird at Healesville Sanctuary is strutting his stuff and performing a symphony of impressive sound effects as part of a winter courtship ritual delighting visitors. The cooler months set the stage for breeding season where the males shake their tailfeathers and copy the sounds around them in hopes of attracting a mate. Apollo’s vocal repertoire includes other birds from the Sanctuary such as kookaburras, magpies, Yellow-tailed black cockatoos, Superb parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Satin Bowerbirds and Eastern whipbirds to name a few. Even more impressive is his ability to mimic human-related sounds – from car alarms to sirens to camera shutters chainsaws, golf carts, ringing phones and even people blowing kisses.  

Published 11 August 2025

Happy World Cat Day!

Happy International Cat Day!🐅🐱 It's the perfect day to celebrate felines of all shapes and sizes, from the largest species in the world, the Sumatran Tiger, to our own loveable housecats. We're proud to work with RSPCA Victoria on the Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife initiative, creating a community of cat lovers dedicated to keeping their feline friends safe, happy and healthy at home. To find out how you can give your cat the best life safe at home possible, visit safecat.org.au

Published 6 August 2025

mEMBER EXCLUSIVE: GIRAFFE BORN AT MELBOURNE ZOO

In this rare vision you’ll see new Mum, Nakuru spending quality mother/son time in the Giraffe Barn at Melbourne Zoo. A word of warning, it is the cutest video you'll see. 

Published 5 August 2025

mEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Lupo the loveable dumpling

Melbourne Zoo is excited to welcome Lupo, the super social South American Tapir! The two-and-a-half-year-old with the big personality has had an exciting first few days at Melbourne Zoo, loudly munching on crunchy vegetables and galloping around his habitat, after his long journey from Zoo Schmiding in Austria.

Published 21 July 2025

Sniffing out platypus!

Experienced detection dogs Kip the Kelpie-cross and Moss the Labrador have been taking the lead on Project Platypus Paddle Board. The team is now hitting the water on paddle boards to search for Platypuses in hard-to-reach habitats along the Coranderrk Creek which runs through Healesville Sanctuary.

Published 21 July 2025

Platypus rehab like you’ve never seen before

Stage one of a new state-of-the-art Australian Platypus Conservation Centre (APCC) has opened at Healesville Sanctuary bolstering capacity to care for the iconic native species.

With the mission to rehabilitate and return sick or injured Platypus to the wild, this $1 million centre includes nine connecting ponds of various depths and water flows, banks for burrowing and crystal clear water. Everything is specifically designed with Platypus in mind, so they maintain physical fitness while mimicking wild conditions to encourage natural behaviours. A four-tied pool can be separated into shallow areas catering for Platypuses with a range of health conditions. The sheltered area includes nest boxes for additional warmth and healing while the ponds are climate-controlled at 18 degrees.

All the internal electrical wiring has been placed up high and shielded to account for electric dipole moment function (EDMF) because Platypus locate their prey using a unique sensory system in their bills. They have two types of receptors in the bill. Electro which detects tiny electrical currents emitted from muscle contractions from their prey (like a heartbeat), and mechano which can detect movements, vibrations and potentially water pressure. Researchers are still studying what else their bills can do. 

Published 14 July 2025

mEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Snow Leopards like it spicy!

Nine year old male Snow Leopard Kang-Ju enjoys smelling and rolling in spices. As well as masking his natural smell the spice also stimulates an interesting physical response – one that you may see your household cat doing. He curls his lips and bares his teeth in what looks like a mischievous grin. This is known as the Flehman response.

Published 14 July 2025

Mesmerising Underwater World

Dive into the magical underwater world of Melbourne Zoo’s Deep Sea. Be transported beneath the surface to witness the hypnotic drift of moon jellyfish, the graceful movements of seahorses, and the playful charm of clownfish up close. Whether you’re looking to relax, meditate, or explore the ocean’s tiny wonders, this serene video offers a peaceful escape into aquatic beauty.

Published 7 July 2025

Good News from the Zoos

We love to bring a bit of feel-good animal news to the world! June 2025 featured a pygmy hippo having an ultrasound, the tree kangaroo crunchathon, first time breeding success for two Critically Endangered frogs, elephants smashing pumpkins, Tasmanian Devils and Quolls enjoying a bungee feeder, and Sumatran Tiger Hutan having another dental procedure.

Published 3 July 2025

Baw Baw Frogs return to a lush mountain gully

In a mammoth effort, close to 3,000 tiny young Baw Baw Frogs have been released to the Baw Baw Plateau from a conservation breeding program at Melbourne Zoo. This trial release site, where the Critically Endangered frog was historically absent, is proving to be a vital success with males released a few years back returning to the site.

Published 23 June 2025

Speaker Series Event: Help us protect nature's tiny and mighty

Australia’s invertebrate biodiversity is at a tipping point, with species disappearing at an alarming rate. But with your help, there is hope. Meet our experts in this exciting on-demand webinar who will share insights into Melbourne Zoo’s new era of invertebrate conservation. Learn about the vital role invertebrates play in our ecosystems, and the urgent, groundbreaking work being done to protect these tiny but mighty creatures. Donate to help us protect nature’s tiny and mighty today: zoo.org.au/donate-today.

Published 23 June 2025

Leadbeater's possum magical new home!

More than a decade in the making a mixed pair of Leadbeater’s Possums are settling into a new habitat next to Healesville Sanctuary igniting hope for this Victorian Faunal Emblem which is a critically endangered species. For the first time, Lowland male Mercury and Highland female Narvi [pron: Nar-vee] have been released into the Coranderrk Bushland Nature Conservation Reserve (adjoining the Sanctuary) to establish a new colony.

Published 18 June 2025

Watching animals = Important science!

For Amy-Rose and her team, observing how and where animals spend their time is just one of many ways Animal Welfare Research Officers work with animal care staff to create thriving lives for our animals. Thanks to Petstock Amy-Rose has been able to continue to work with the Elephant Trail team and their big move from Melbourne Zoo to Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Published 18 June 2025

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE: Free-flight training a Barking Owl

Keeper Shaun takes us behind the scenes of how they train a new bird for their free-flight Spirits of the Sky presentation. Keepers use visual cues to give the birds information so they understand what they are being asked to do, and use food as positive reinforcement so they can learn when they get it right.

Published 6 June 2025

Triple root canal for Sumatran Tiger Hutan!

It takes a brave dentist—and an even braver tiger—to tackle three root canals in one sitting. Just ask Hutan, Melbourne Zoo’s 15-year-old, 110kg Sumatran Tiger, who needed two hours under anaesthetic to sort out three damaged teeth that he earned the hard way—by chomping down on bones.

Published 6 June 2025

Nothing but crunchin' Tree-Kangaroo goodness!

Our favourite Goodfellow’s Tree Kangaroo joey Mungili is taking part in the International Crunch-a-thon to help raise awareness of the endangered species. If you search the hashtag #treeroocrunchathon2025, you can see all the Tree-kangaroos across the world crunching for conservation. Need an ASMR fix? Then listen to this… SOUND ON!

Published 21 May 2025

Let's hear it for the little guys!

In a historic first, Guthega Skinks bred at Healesville Sanctuary have been released in Victoria’s Bogong High Plains, giving fresh hope to the Endangered alpine species. The pioneer pairs – the first of their kind to have mixed genetics from Kosciusko National Park in New South Wales and the Victorian alps - are expected to produce a new generation of lizards with greater resilience to climate change. The Guthega Skink Recovery Program is a joint effort between Zoos Victoria and Snowline Ecology.

Published 21 May 2025

Daisy the dog is searching for Dragons!

Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad has achieved a first for Australian conservation by training dogs to find the Critically Endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon in the wild.

In a newly published study, the team reveals a game-changing method that could transform how we protect some of Australia’s most elusive reptiles.

Published 5 May 2025

Helmeted Honeyeaters released to Bunurong Country

For the first time in almost half a century, Critically Endangered Helmeted Honeyeaters have returned to Cardinia in southeast Victoria, where they were once found until the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983.

On an autumnal May morning, 21 iconic yellow and black birds bred at Healesville Sanctuary fluttered off into their new forest home on Bunurong Country, establishing a crucial third wild population in the fight against their extinction. Since 2018 the Victorian Government has invested over $8 million in the Faunal Emblems Program, to support the recovery of the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possums– improving the long-term conservation and health of both species. It has taken multiple partners, the Recovery Team and four decades to reach this historic milestone.

Zoos Victoria is grateful for the generous financial support provided by philanthropic donors. 

Published 9 May 2025

The sweet sound of the Baw Baw Frog!

Have you noticed a distinctive croak at the end of our videos? Threatened Species Biologist Deon lets us know why it's such a special sound.

Published 7 May 2025

Changing Australia: Zoos Victoria CEO on fighting animal extinction and ethics

Catch Zoos Victoria CEO Dr Jenny Gray’s recent appearance on Radio National Breakfast.

Published 24 April 2025

Trail Of The Elephants - A New Home For The Herd: Episode 3

Have you been following our mini-series Trail of the Elephants – A New Home for the Herd? We’re excited to share that the third and final episode is now live exclusively for members!

After years of careful planning, the big moment finally arrived. The herd of nine elephants made their historic move to Werribee Open Range Zoo. With Melbourne Zoo ready to say goodbye and the new habitat at Werribee prepared to welcome them, it was time. Go behind the scenes with our keepers as they share the incredible journey and witness touching moments of the elephants settling into their new home.

Published 14 April 2025

Trail Of The Elephants - A New Home For The Herd: Episode 2

The second episode of our exclusive elephant move mini-series is now live for members! This episode follows the dedicated elephant team as they take critical steps toward one of the most significant animal relocations in Zoos Victoria’s history. Watch as the dream of moving all nine elephants to their expansive new home at Werribee begins to take shape.

Published 10 April 2025

MEET MUNGILI, OUR ADORABLE MEMBER-NAMED TREE-KANGAROO JOEY

Mungili is now out and about at Healesville Sanctuary, and cuter than ever!

Join Keeper Katherine, who has over a decade of experience caring for this endangered species, for a morning with Tree-Kangaroos Mani and Mungili.

Published 1 April 2025

First Look: Werribee Open Range Zoo welcomes nine majestic Asian Elephants!

First Look: New Elephant Habitat at Werribee Open Range Zoo!

Luk Chai is on the move! 

MEMBERS EXCLUSIVE: SPIRITS OF THE SKY TRAINING SESSION

We're excited to offer an exclusive, members-only Spirits of the Sky training session at Healesville Sanctuary these school holidays!

Join us in the flight arena where our keepers will give you a behind-the-scenes look at a private training session. Gain unique insights into the care and relationships built up over the years between the native birds and dedicated keepers. Each session is unique, shaped by what the birds choose to do in the moment—making every visit truly one-of-a-kind. Please present your membership card to gain entry at the arena.

11am – 11.15am

9, 16, 23 & 30 JANUARY 2025

For now, enjoy this sneak peek training session with Fergie the Long-billed Corella, Keeper Jessica, and Animal Training Coordinator Katrina.

Published 27 December 2024

COLLINS STREET FALCON SOARS AFTER EPIC RESCUE AND REHAB JOURNEY

A PLATYPUS MIRACLE AT CHRISTMAS CREEK!

After 10 months of expert care at Healesville Sanctuary, a young platypus has been released back into the wild. Rescued by cyclists after being found alone and underweight on a hot February day, he now thrives in his new home at Christmas Creek, chosen for its rich habitat and flowing waterways.

Published 04 December 2024

DETECTION DOG PODCAST

Ever wondered how experts find and protect elusive Platypuses in the wild? Wildlife Detection Dog Officer Naomi Hodgens and Platypus Specialist Dr. Jessica Thomas from Healesville Sanctuary recently joined the K9 Conservationists podcast to share fascinating insights into their work tracking Platypuses in Coranderrk Creek.

Tune in to learn more about these incredible conservation efforts.

Published 12 November 2024