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The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, commonly known as the Melbourne Zoo, contains more than 350 animal species from Australia and around the world. The zoo is just 4 km north of the centre of Melbourne. It is accessible via Royal Park station on the Upfield railway line, and is also accessible via tram routes 55 and 19, as well as by bicycle on the Capital City Trail.
Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest zoo and was modeled on London Zoo. It is reputed to be the eleventh oldest zoo in the world. The zoo was opened on the Royal Park site of 55 acres (22 hectares) in 1862 on land donated by the City of Melbourne. Before this, animals were housed at the botanical gardens in Melbourne.
Initially the zoo was important for the acclimatisation of domestic animals recovering from their long trip to Australia. It was only with the appointment of Albert Le Souef in 1870 that more exotic animals were procured for public display, and the gardens and picnic areas were developed.
Visitors can see historical cages built for the public display of animals when zoos were primarily menageries of exotic species for public amusement. This includes the heritage listed Elephant House, which has been renovated and adapted for use for customers paying to sleep overnight in tents at the zoo in popular Roar and Snore evenings. These evenings allow the public to see some of the nocturnal animals at the zoo in evening guided tours by keepers.
Zoological collections now play an important role in regional conservation and research programs, educational activities and international breeding programs for endangered species.
The zoo is set among flower gardens and picnic areas. Many of the animals are now organised in bioclimatic zones: African rainforest featuring gorillas, mandrills, pigmy hippos and parrots; Asian Rainforest with tigers and otters; and the Australian Bush with koala, kangaroos, emu, echidnas and endangered hairy nose wombats. Popular exhibits also include the Butterfly house, the great flight aviary and the Trail of the Elephants.
The zoo is a leader in the field of education, with a large schools section and caters for many school visitors annually.
The Zoological Board of Victoria administers the Melbourne Zoo, as well as the Werribee Open Range Zoo which features herbivorous creatures in an open range setting; and Healesville Sanctuary on 175 hectares of bushland exhibiting Australian fauna.
References
http://www.zoo.org.au/history/ History of the Melbourne Zoo
External links
1862 establishments | Organisations based in Melbourne | Visitor attractions in Melbourne | Zoos in Australia
"Melbourne Zoo"