Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/989345
Zoo News m em b er maga zin e 16 MEMBER NEWS LETTErS frOm OUr mEmbErS do you have a burning question for our membership Team? Or perhaps have some feedback from the latest zoo member event? We want to hear from you! No comment is too small or too big when it comes to your zoo membership. So get in touch! NO ANImALS TO SEE I've spent the day with my family at Melbourne Zoo and just want to say the new Carnivore area is AMAZING. The exhibits are brilliant and while we didn't see all the animals, we had fun trying to find them. It's a joy that they can hide away when they need a break from the crowds. We noticed though that since our last visit, the number of birds in the Great Flight Aviary has decreased significantly. Is there a reason for this as we felt the whole enclosure seemed sad and neglected. I know it's an old exhibit but its never had this feeling about it before and has always teemed with birdlife. The whole area where the kangaroos are also felt sad and forgotten. I hope there are plans in place to renovate this entire area. It's always a joy as a zoo member to visit and explore, see what's new and visit old favourites. Liz We're really glad that you were still able to enjoy the Carnivores' Trail – this summer, the animals took much longer than we had expected to settle in so we do appreciate your understanding and patience and love that you were still able to enjoy yourselves. Our Horticulture team have done an incredible job landscaping the new areas. As for the second part of your query, the team is considering a short-term landscape upgrade to the kangaroo area and a more long-term refurbishment for the entire precinct, however further funding is yet to be secured for the larger works. The Great Flight Aviary was built in the 1940s and is beginning to show its age. In addition, we've experienced some issues with some resident Brush-tail Possums who have caused considerable damage recently. We have made some recent improvements to the back of house areas and we are planning on re-stocking the collection later this year. The Australian Bush Precinct remains an important and valuable part of Melbourne Zoo and is now one of the key priority areas following the recent completion Carnivores' Trail. I hope that answers your questions! Aaron, Membership Team YOUNg mEmbErS It's never too early to love the zoo, right? We've been taking our now 13 month old Hugo to the zoo since he was a very little person, and he's always loved it. We live close by so we are often there at 8/8.30am in the summer months when we have the place almost to ourselves! We love it at those times, even if some of the animals are also a little sleepy. I'm getting in touch today to let you know that Hugo is also a huge fan of your Zoo News magazine. It's hilarious how much he enjoys 'reading' this magazine. He will often sit quietly and seems genuinely absorbed and enthralled by the pictures - and doesn't seem to get bored of looking and relooking. It's really so very cute and just delightful to for us to watch his early interest in zoos and animals! So thank you for your great work! Lucy, Regan + Hugo We love hearing about the impact our magazine and Zoo experiences can have – especially on our youngest members. We're so lucky to have you part of our community. Thanks for your support! Ash, Membership Team THE A-TEAm! Meet Aaron and Ashley, they are part of our Membership Team. Aaron organises our Member Events and Ashley is head of Customer Engagement. WE'd LOVE TO HEAr frOm YOU! Get in touch via email, social media or via our friendly Customer Engagement Team and ask the team your burning questions about your Zoo Membership. OVErHEArd There's always something peaceful about the butterfly house. Zoo Member Olinda