Zoo Goes Wild For Digital Learning

They may be too young to vote but school students across the country are about to make their voices heard on important subjects like palm oil and bushfire and wildlife recovery. It's all thanks to a new digital learning revolution led by the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Orang-utans: Who's watching who?

Unlike your pet dog or cat, zoo animals are exposed to many unfamiliar humans every day. Because visitors may affect primate behavior or welfare, it is important to understand the zoo animal-visitor relationship for these species. 

Sumatran Tiger cubs make public debut

Melbourne Zoo's newest baby additions - four three-month-old Sumatran tiger cubs - made their public debut this morning with their mother Binjai. Acting Premier Rob Hulls today officially welcomed the two male cubs, Aceh and Hutan, and two female cubs, Rani and Indrah, as they ventured out of their night den into the Tiger Exhibit.

Tiger cubs vaccinated

Four Sumatran Tiger cubs were vaccinated this morning to protect them against cat flu and feline enteritis.

Zoo Vet Dr. Meg Curnick also gave the cubs a quick checkup, which included listening to their hearts, weighing them, and scanning their micro-chip IDs to ensure that they are functioning.

Chloe's race to save orang-utans

Chloe is 12 years old. When she heard about the Don't Palm us Off campaign, she decided she had to help. "I just love orangutans and I'd do anything to help them. I'm just trying to get the message out," she says.

Milestone for Mali -- formerly known as Baby!

At just over two months old, Asian Elephant calf Mali would be one of the youngest individuals ever to have a book written about her!  

Mali: My Baby Book now available at the Melbourne Zoo Shops!  

Elephant calf Mali is continuing to grow at a rapid rate!

She's drinking abouit 12 litres a day of mother Dokkoon's rich milk, and the result is that she's putting on about a kilo a day -- her most recent weight was  186 kg, well up on her birthweight of 110kg .  

Taronga's new calf explores the outdoors

Taronga's new elephant calf began to explore the elephant exhibit today (Sunday) with his mother, Porntip, just days after surviving a difficult birth.

Elephant Manager, Gary Miller, said: "The calf's is much more lively and starting to develop a personality.

"He's excited to be alive. "

The latest from Taronga Zoo - STEADY AS HE GOES OVERNIGHT

Taronga Zoo's newborn male Asian Elephant calf continued to make progress overnight. His dedicated keepers, who monitored the newborn throughout the night, were delighted that the calf has begun to suckle from his mother, Porntip, unassisted and moving around without help.

‘Mali' wins public poll as our Baby Elephant's new name

Melbourne Zoo's baby elephant has a new name thanks to the overwhelming number of Victorians who voted for Mali.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced the winning name of the Zoo's cutest addition which won 23,143 votes out of the 34,325 votes cast - a strong 67 per cent.

Melbourne Zoo’s Baby Elephant to get a Thai name

Voting starts tomorrow 17/2/10!
Melbourne Zoo’s one month old baby elephant will be christened a Thai name that represents the floral heritage of Thailand, following a public competition, Premier John Brumby said.

Mr Brumby today launched the public naming competition for the baby elephant so the Victorian community could get involved and vote in an online poll to choose between five names.

Victorians get first peek at new Baby Elephant

Victorian families will have the chance to see Melbourne Zoo's baby elephant for the first time tomorrow, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings announced today.

The latest addition to the Melbourne Zoo was born in the early hours of January 16 and is the first baby elephant born at the Zoo in its 148 year history.

Day 21 Baby Elephant Update

05/02/10
Both Dokkoon and her calf are recovering well from the difficult birth, and Dokkoon is developing some excellent mothering instincts.   Baby is very active, toddling around Dokkoon's legs for most of the time, but sometimes venturing a bit further away.   Baby is feeding at least once an hour. 

Day 7 Baby Elephant Update

22/01/10
Melbourne Zoo's first Asian Elephant calf remains in the elephant barn with her mother Dokkoon.  The birth was difficult and exhausting for Dokkoon who has spent the first week since her calf was born recovering.  The calf is alert, active and playful, however, this is still a critical period for the newborn calf.  Both mum and baby are still being monitored round the clock by Zoo staff.

Day 5 Baby Elephant Update

20/01/10
Dokkoon has taken her first real rest since the birth of the calf.  She has snoozed standing up since giving birth, but she has now lain down for the first time for a quick nap.  

Day 2 Baby Elephant Update

17/01/10
The Zoo's newest mother, Asian Elephant Dokkoon, is recuperating in the barn after a strenuous delivery early on Saturday morning.

Dokkoon Delivers

16/01/10
Female Asian Elephant Born at 1:10am. The first baby elephant in Melbourne Zoo's 147-year history was born early today to the delight of tired but ecstatic Zoo staff.