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Healesville Animal Sanctuary
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Healesville Animal Sanctuary
Viewing Australian Wildlife in Natural Bushland
June 4, 2009 © Garry A. Parkes
Healesville Sanctuary is set in natural bushland where paths wind through different habitats
showcasing koalas, wombats, dingoes, kangaroos, and over 200 native bird varieties.
The Healesville Animal Sanctuary is located 65 km North of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia.
Zoos Victoria makes a
Sanctuary Map available, and their website includes other
items of interests for visitors: opening times, admission rates, top attractions,
and how to get there.
Healesville Sanctuary provides a natural haven for many free-ranging animals. Available are food tables,
special plantings,
hollow logs and safety from predators, all encouraging these animals to make their home at the animal park.
Visitors can look about this bushland setting, not forgetting the treetops and the sky to view the rich
animal and bird life.
By night these animals include Sugar Gliders, Yellow Bellied Gliders, Ring-tailed Possums, Powerful Owls,
Southern Brown Bandicoots and Platypus.
History of the Animal Sanctuary
In 1921 Dr. Colin MacKenzie was granted 70 acres of land lease to study native fauna for the purpose of
medical research. His institute of anatomical research and his work drew many scientists from all over the
world.
The Sanctuary grew from a picnic reserve with a few animals to a place renown for its fauna.
Thousands came to see the big attraction: "Splash", the Platypus - the first of its kind to be successfully
kept in captivity.
The Sanctuary was officially opened in 1934 and since 1978,
The Platypus
it has been managed by the Zoological Board of Victoria.
Monotremes - The Platypus and Echidna
The platypus is one of two remarkable Australian
monotremes, the other being the
Echidna. The platypus is a typical mammal in being furred and feeding its young on milk, but resembles reptiles in that it lays eggs.
Its leathery bill has an electromagnetic sensory system, which is used to locate prey such as yabbies,
worms and insects.
Although the platypus is a species of immense scientific significance, relatively little is known of its behavior
in the wild. Research programs undertaken will shed light on the habits of these mammals and lead to better
understanding of its long-term habitat requirements.
The echidna can live almost anywhere in Australia where there is plentiful food supply of ants and termites. It
also reproduces by laying an egg. The
young echidna remains in the mother's pouch for eight weeks
after birth suckling milk secreted from special pores. To avoid heat, the animal spends a lot of time in hollow
logs, under thick bushes or buried under piles of debris.
The Echidna
Animals at the Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary's bushland provides a distinctly Australian setting where visitors can experience
close-up encounters with some of Australia's most unique and captivating wildlife, including
koalas,
kangaroos, wombats, emus, dingoes, and birds of prey.
Caring for the Sanctuary's animals is a hugely expensive task. Specialist veterinary services, quality food,
top-class facilities, the need for intensive breeding programs and research activities - all add up to a
massive commitment.
References:
- "Healesville Sanctuary". Produced by Steve Parish Publishing. National Library of Australia Cataloguing,
Healesville Sanctuary, 1990.
The copyright of the article Healesville Animal Sanctuary: Viewing Australian Wildlife in Natural
Bushland is owned by Garry A. Parkes. Permission to republish in print or online must be
granted by the author in writing.
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