Visitors to one of Wyndham’s most popular tourist attractions these school holidays will be given the opportunity to see a rare animal up close.
Keepers and horticultural staff at the Werribee Open Range Zoo are putting the final touches on the new nocturnal exhibit which will open on Saturday.
Zoo director Sally Lewis said the opening of the bandicoot hideout would mark an important milestone in the fight to save the Eastern barred bandicoot.
“This is the first time that our visitors will be able to come face to face with these amazing animals,” Ms Lewis said. “Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of a successful breeding and release program for the Eastern barred bandicoot and we’ve done a lot of work in creating a predator-proof haven for the nocturnal species, but until now it’s been difficult to engage our visitors in the fight for its survival.
“The bandicoot hideout is the missing piece of that puzzle; a fun and engaging place where we hope families will fall in love with the Eastern barred bandicoot … and be inspired to take action.”
Once widespread across Western Victoria, Eastern barred bandicoots are now considered to be extinct in the wild of mainland Australia.
A daily keeper talk in the hideout will give visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the animals and chat to the keepers who care for them.
For details visit www.zoo.org.au.
