Summer 2009 - Perth Zoo

Puteri’s 

Princess 

Perth Zoo’s OfficialM agazine | Summer 2009/10

2 

Contents 

Ultrasounding Perth Zoo’s Botanic Heritage 3 

In the Field 4 

An Otter Romance 6 

New Quokka Breeding Program 7 

Thank You, Water Corporation 7 

Puteri’s Princess 8 

Don’t Palm Us Off Campaign 8 

How to Build a Crocodile-friendly Garden 9 

2010 Perth Zoo Calendar Insert 

Thanks Tiwest Night Stalkers 11 

Perth Zoo’s Puggles 12 

A Day in the Life 13 

Scene at Perth Zoo 14 

New Ghostly Arrivals 15 

The Red List 16 

What’s On 17 

Taking a Step for Sustainability: REmida 18 

Supporting Your Zoo 19 

Main cover photo:Sumatran Orangutan Puteri with baby 

Photo: Derek Smith 

Above photo:Male Lion in the African Savannah. 

The News Paw s Team 

Edito r Julie-Anne Smith 

Sub Edito r Daniel Scarparolo 

Writing & Production Rowena O’Byrne-Bowland 

Design Geoff Scales, Michelle Fleming 

Printing and prepress Quality Press 

Advertising enquiries Julie-Anne Smith (08) 9474 0444 

julie-anne.smith@perthzoo.wa.gov.au 

All content © copyright Perth Zoo except where noted. 

No part of this publication may be reproduced without 

prior written permission from the copyright holders. 

Published by Perth Zoo, 20 Labouchere Road, 

South Perth, Western Australia 6151. 

Phone: 61 8 9474 0444 Web: www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au 

Published 2009 ISSN 1449-227X 

F 

G R E E N H O U S E 

R I E N 

Y 

D L 

newspaw s | Summer 2009/10 

Message from the CEO 

One of the roles of zoos is to build awareness about conservation 

and wildlife, particularly the protection of biodiversity. 

2008 was the Year of the Frog, which was a global education 

campaign. In addition to the awareness programs at Perth Zoo, 

we commenced a research and breeding program for a local 

amphibian, the threatened White-bellied Frog (Geocrinia alba). 

For 2009 Year of the Gorilla we have worked with other zoos 

on a mobile phone recycling campaign. 

Now, to coincide with the birth of a critically endangered 

Sumatran Orangutan at the Zoo, we are increasing our effort 

with the Don’t Palm Us Off campaign, which highlights the 

loss of wildlife and habitat as a result of palm oil farming in 

South-east Asia. 

Perth Zoo has joined with Zoos Victoria, Zoos South Australia, 

Taronga Conservation Society of Australia and Auckland Zoo in 

this campaign to request that food stuffs which contain palm oil 

be labelled so that we can all be aware of a product’s content. 

The aims of the campaign are to increase public involvement in 

abating the threats to orangutan and other wildlife in South-east 

Asia; raise awareness about the impact of consumer decisions 

on the environment; and call for food producers to ensure they 

use sustainable sources. 

People can show their support for the campaign by registering 

their details on our website 

or by filling in a Don’t Palm Us Off postcard when they visit the 

Zoo. See the article in this edition of News Paws for more 

information about this campaign. 

Another article in this News Paws acknowledges one of Perth 

Zoo’s much valued partners, the Water Corporation. With 

sustainable management of the earth’s resources a shared 

objective the Water Corporation and Perth Zoo have developed 

a strong relationship over many years. Their latest contribution, 

the Perth Zoo Conservation Calendar, in conjunction with print 

media sponsor The Sunday Times, is yet another great 

partnership project. 

We could not continue our work without long-term partners such 

as the Water Corporation and, on behalf of the whole Zoo, we 

sincerely appreciate their support. 

Susan Hunt 

Chief Executive Officer 

Perth Zoo acknowledges the support of its sponsors:

Ultrasounding 

Perth Zoo’s Botanic Heritage 

You’ve heard of ultrasounding 

pregnant women to make sure 

their unborn child is healthy, 

but have you heard of 

ultrasounding trees? 

Perth Zoo has kept many plant 

species which were originally planted 

under the guidance of the Zoo’s 

head gardener, Harry Steadman, 

from 1899–1929. In order to keep 

these and other trees healthy, a lot 

of work needs to be done by our 

present-day horticulturists. 

Perth Zoo horticulturists examine 

trees for signs of decay or distress 

such as poorly tapered branches, 

buckling, loose bark or cracks. This 

is especially important when you’re 

looking at trees that are over 100 

years old and have seen many 

seasons, storms and changes. 

Internal problems are obviously more 

difficult than external ones but that 

doesn’t mean they should be 

overlooked. This is where ultrasound 

comes in. 

The PiCus ® machine is just one of 

the tools that arborists – or tree 

surgeons – use to assess the tree’s 

health and whether there is any 

internal decay or damage. 

Likened to an ultrasound machine, 

it provides a non-invasive way to 

detect poor health in trees. Sound 

waves are transmitted through a 

degraded section of the branch or 

trunk and a sectioned image, or 

tomogram, is produced. 

The image is colour-coded and 

shows healthy, altered and decayed 

woods, allowing the arborist to 

determine whether the tree poses 

any risk. The limb or section of the 

tree is removed if necessary. 

“Perth Zoo is probably the healthiest 

park or plant collection I have ever 

come across in my 35 years in the 

industry,” says Perth Zoo Horticulture 

Curator Andrew Blake. 

“I can see two reasons for this: great 

plant diversity and the presence of 

animals. These are also the reasons 

for the good health found in 

undisturbed bush areas. 

“This means our botanic collection is 

in such good health that the trees 

Above: Bowden Tree Consultancy 

tomogram generated using the PiCus ® . 

machine. Right: Bowden Tree Consultant 

using the PiCus ® . machine. 

Photos courtesy of Bowden Tree 

Consultancy. 

live longer than in many other parks 

and gardens. Just like elderly people 

or animals, old trees can have trouble 

with strength in their limbs or being 

affected by extremes such as storms 

and being knocked so they require 

careful management. Tomograms are 

another tool in helping us keep the 

Zoo’s botanic collection healthy.” 

If a branch needs to be removed, 

that doesn’t mean it’s no longer 

useful. Perth Zoo keepers are always 

on the hunt for branches that can be 

used in exhibits as behavioural 

enrichment, to help stimulate 

climbing, curiosity and other natural 

behaviours in their animals. 

“Whenever we’re pruning and have to 

remove a limb we need to be careful 

not to cut it up too quickly. The 

keepers are always looking for ‘exhibit 

furniture’ and often need a branch that 

is shaped ‘just so’,” says Mr Blake. 

So what is the result of our 

horticulturists’ hard work? The great 

ambiance and feeling of immersion 

you experience when you walk into 

one of the Zoo’s geographical zones 

and see plants that reflect the native 

vegetation of an African savannah, 

native Australian bushland or Asian 

rainforest, as well as some very 

healthy animals. 

Summer 2009/10 | newspaw s 

3

4 

In the Field 

Perth Zoo and its staff are committed to the conservation of species in their natural habitats. Field work is 

an important part of any conservation project working with animals in the wild. Here is a case file through 

the eyes of one of our staff members. 

Christmas Island 

Reptile Collection 

22 August to 5 September 2009 

Location: Christmas Island 

Perth Zoo Field Workers: Helen Robertson 

(Animal Health and Research Director), 

Simone Vitali (Senior Veterinarian) and 

Meagan McPharlin (Australian Fauna Supervisor). 

About Christmas Island 

Christmas Island is located off the coast of Java, 

Indonesia. It has been an external territory of the Australian 

Commonwealth since 1958. With its tropical climate, the 

temperature is 27–29°C during the day and 24°C at night, 

all year round. 

The majority of the island is a national park. Habitat 

destruction (due to land clearance from mining and other 

human activities) and introduced species have resulted in 

an ecological shift that has seen several species become 

extinct. 

Background 

A dramatic fall in native reptile numbers has occurred on 

Christmas Island. Five endemic species – Lister’s Gecko, 

the Blue-tailed Skink, the Forest Skink, the Giant Gecko 

and the Christmas Island Blind Snake – are found on the 

island. They compete for food and shelter with five 

introduced species: the Asian House Gecko, Barking 

House Gecko, Grass Skink, Flowerpot Blind Snake and 

Asian Wolf Snake. 

Blue-tailed Skinks (Cryptoblepharus egeriae) and Forest 

Skinks (Emoia nativitatus) were once commonly found 

across the island, however, both appear now highly to a 

small area on the island. Blue-tailed Skinks have gone from 

being one of the most conspicuous and abundant reptiles 

Blue-tailed Skink. 

on the island to being only found in very few locations and 

in small numbers. 

Similarly, Forest Skinks were also once more common on 

the island but now it is difficult to find more than one in 

each survey attempt. 

This dire state prompted the Australian Government to 

initiate a captive breeding program to ensure the survival of 

these two species. Perth Zoo was approached because of 

its experience and success in breeding Lancelin Island 

Skinks for release. In conjunction with the Western 

Australian Department of Environment and Conservation, 

152 of the critically endangered skinks were bred at the 

Zoo and released onto Favourite Island. The program is 

considered a success. 

With this background knowledge, Perth Zoo staff travelled 

to Christmas Island in August and September to work with 

Parks Australia staff on Christmas Island to collect the 

founder animals for the skink breeding programs. They 

also helped draft husbandry manuals for the skinks’ care. 

Goals 

The first goal was to work with Parks Australia staff to 

collect and house 40 Forest Skinks and 40 Blue-tailed 

Skinks. Due to the fall of numbers in the wild, it is hoped 

insurance populations will be established both on and off 

the island. 

Later, it is hoped the skinks will form part of a breed-forrelease 

program. At the moment, however, the focus is on 

establishing insurance populations, researching the skinks’ 

biology and investigating and addressing threatening 

processes. 

Process 

Forest Skink. 

Working with park staff, one day Simone and Helen 

focused on the Blue-tailed Skink while I (Meagan) tried to 

locate Forest Skinks. We found two previously unknown 

locations in the area where park staff had previously been 

detecting and capturing skinks. These were found on

Rough terrain in which the field work was completed. 

pinnacle rocks, a skink favourite because of the rocks’ 

hollow, labyrinth-like nature which give the skinks plenty of 

places to hide. 

We collected the skinks into carry packs containing soil 

and leaf litter in which they could hide. At the end of the 

day we trekked back to the vehicle then drove back to 

base camp with the skinks. 

All of the skinks were weighed, measured and checked 

for any physical abnormalities. Faecal samples were taken, 

if possible, to be later checked for parasites. All skinks 

collected so far appear to be in excellent health. 

For now skinks are being kept by park staff in enclosures 

designed and constructed by park staff inside a modified 

gazebo on Christmas Island until a long-term option can 

be established. Here the animals are exposed to natural 

sunlight and the humid, local climate. We also helped 

construct artificial habitats for the Forest Skinks to replicate 

their complex habitat within pinnacle rocks. 

During our trip we collected 17 Blue-tailed Skinks and one 

Forest Skink. Since returning to Perth Zoo, Christmas 

Island Park staff have collected a further 21 Blue-tailed 

Skinks and another Forest Skink. Finding so few Forest 

Skinks is of concern. 

Meagan and Helen collect data. 

Highlights 

I work very closely with 

reptiles at Perth Zoo so 

working with skinks in the 

wild was very rewarding. 

I was very excited when 

I found the two new 

locations for the Forest 

Skinks were found. I 

approached the challenge 

with the mentality of ‘If I was 

a skink, where would I be?’ 

Challenges 

Sheltered facility to house the SKinks. 

Simone and Helen complete health 

checks on Skinks. 

The skinks are usually found in habitats with very rough 

terrain – pandanus vegetation with sharp pinnacle rock 

cliffs with a drop into the sea on one side. Pandanus has 

serrated leaves, so I had to tend to leg and arm scratches 

more than once. Also, the humidity meant that wherever 

we went we had to carry plenty of water and my clothes 

clung to me. 

Benefits 

I value being involved with in situ conservation, and 

providing knowledge and experience that will improve the 

success of the program. Contributing to the initial stages 

of planning, brainstorming and implementation meant I 

developed problem solving skills and applied the 

knowledge I’ve learnt at Perth Zoo to the wild. The 

husbandry for the skinks was developed using a 

combination of our and park staff knowledge of similar 

species because so little is known about the ecology of 

Christmas Island skinks. This meant a huge learning curve 

but I love learning new things. 

Working with Helen and Simone, who are experienced 

professionals, and being able to learn from their vast 

experience was also rewarding. I enjoyed the sensory 

overload: being in a new place, meeting new people, 

adjusting to new animals and the challenges of trekking 

through the habitat and adjusting to the climate. 

All photos supplied by Helen Robertson, Simone Vitali and 

Meagan McPharlin. 


5

6 

An Otter Romance 

at Perth Zoo 

The arrival of two Asian Small-clawed Otters has 

brought romance to Perth Zoo as they explore their 

new Asian Rainforest home together. 

The two otters are part of a regional breeding 

program which aims to maintain a sustainable 

captive population of this species. Their arrival 

coincided with the opening of the new otter exhibit. 

Eight-year-old male, Kiet (meaning honourable in Thai), 

came from Singapore Zoo while nine-year-old female, 

Tola (meaning October in Cambodian), came from 

Mogo Zoo, NSW. 

Perth Zoo Director of Life Sciences Maria Finnigan said 

their first introduction to each other went very well and 

they’ve been inseparable since. 

Visitors can enjoy watching the highly 

playful otters dive in and out of the water 

and use their highly dexterous front paws 

to play with pebbles and handle food. 

“It appears to be a promising start as they are getting on 

very well. Since their recent introduction they have been 

exploring their new home and establishing their territory 

together,” Ms Finnigan said. 

Staff are hoping that it won’t be long before they produce 

pups. It has been 15 years since otters were born at Perth 

Zoo. Those three offspring – males Hari and Sook and 

female Tulia – are still at the Zoo today but, as they were 

siblings, were not part of a breeding program. 

“Otters usually give birth to two young although up to five 

is possible. The new exhibit is designed to house up to 16 

otters in total,” Ms Finnigan said. 

“Formerly housing Sulawesi Crested Macaques, the new 

otter exhibit has been redesigned and refurbished 


especially for otters. Perth Zoo staff who work with this 

species have an intimate knowledge of what they require 

and the staff led and implemented the exhibit upgrade. 

Having these people involved in the design and 

construction of the exhibit means the animals are given the 

best home possible.” 

The result is a sun-dappled rainforest exhibit complete with 

lush undergrowth, shade, nooks and crannies, waterfalls 

and a pool that will keep the otters stimulated. Asian 

Small-clawed Otters are the most terrestrial (land-based) of 

the 13 otter species, although they are excellent swimmers 

and often catch their food while swimming. 

Visitors can enjoy watching the highly playful otters dive in 

and out of the water and use their highly dexterous front 

paws to play with pebbles and handle food. 

Otters in the wild are reliant on clean and healthy water 

bodies. Pesticides and other chemicals can flow into rivers 

and streams, affecting their food supply and water quality. 

The destruction of forests also affects the otters’ food 

supply and breeding grounds. 

Another feature of the exhibit is a nest box where visitors 

can see the otters rest after periods of activity or use to 

raise their young. Four life-sized otter sculptures are also 

included at the exhibit and provide a great photo 

opportunity for visitors. 

Tola and Kiet are now on display in the Asian Rainforest 

opposite the Nepalese Red Panda exhibit. The three 

sibling otters can still be seen in their usual exhibit with 

the underwater viewing bay. 

Did You Know? 

The female Asian Small-clawed Otter rules the roost 

and the male hunts for her and the pups as they 

develop.

New Quokka 

Breeding Program 

Quokkas are once again on display at Perth Zoo and 

they’re here as part of a new nationwide captive 

breeding population for the unique marsupial. 

Perth Zoo is leading a program to establish a new 

breeding population of Quokkas, working with the 

Rottnest Island Authority, Department of Environment and 

Conservation and four other Australian zoos. The intent of 

the program is to help guard against a decline in Quokka 

numbers in the event of disease introduction or natural 

disaster. The zoos will also gain valuable insight into the 

husbandry and reproductive biology of this species. 

So far 15 Quokkas have been moved to the mainland 

from Rottnest Island with eight settling into Perth Zoo. 

The Quokkas were selected based on their age, sex and 

health and were collected from a number of sites around 

the island. Prior to the Quokkas’ departure Aboriginal 

Elders performed a traditional smoking ceremony which 

farewelled the animals and demonstrated honour and 

respect to their ancestors. 

In total, 33 Quokkas (five males and 28 females) will help 

establish the new breeding population at Perth Zoo, 

Taronga Zoo, Melbourne Zoo, Gorge Wildlife Park and 

Adelaide Zoo. 

Classified as vulnerable, Quokkas were once abundant on 

the Australian mainland but with the arrival of foxes in the 

late 1800s their numbers were drastically reduced. 

The Quokkas on Rottnest Island are genetically distinct 

from the two other Quokka populations in Western 

Australia on Bald Island and in Bunbury. Their isolation 

means there is a risk of a disease or similar catastrophe 

on the island that could affect the population. Maintaining 

a captive population in Australian zoos will help guard 

against this. 

Thank You, Water Corporation 

The Water Corporation is 

helping Perth Zoo support 

threatened species in the wild 

with the production of the Perth 

Zoo 2010 Conservation Calendar 

that will raise substantial funds 

for Wildlife Conservation Action. 

The 2010 Conservation Calendar 

is full of stunning images of Perth 

Zoo animals and contains special 

discounts that visitors can use at 

the Zoo throughout the year. The 

calendar also promotes animal 

and water conservation messages 

to show that small actions can 

make a big difference. You can 

purchase the calendar from 

Zoonique, the Perth Zoo Shop 

for only $2, while stocks last. 

The Water Corporation is a 

valued partner of Perth Zoo. 

Their sponsorship over the 

years has supported Perth 

Zoo exhibits including the 

Australian Wetlands, 

cockatoos and Motorbike 

Frog as well as the 2008 

Year of the Frog campaign. 

The captive population of Quokkas will be managed at a 

regional level across the five zoos to ensure high levels of 

genetic diversity are maintained and a sustainable 

breeding population is formed. 

Perth Zoo’s Quokkas can be seen in the Australian 

Bushwalk. 

Did You Know? 

Rottnest Island got its name from the Quokkas that 

inhabit it. Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh visited 

the island in 1696 and upon seeing the plentiful 

Quokkas, which he described as ‘a kind of rat as big 

as a common cat’, named the island ‘Rotte Nest’ 

meaning rat’s nest. 


Photo Daniel Scarparolo/Perth Zoo 

7

8 

Puteri’s Princess 

At 10:40 am on 20 October, Perth Zoo welcomed its 

27th Sumatran Orangutan, Teliti (Indonesian for to be 

careful and thorough) into the world as part of its worldrenowned 

breeding program. 

Weighing just 1.6 kg, female Teliti was born to 39-year-old 

female Puteri (Indonesian for princess) who was the first 

Sumatran Orangutan born at Perth Zoo in 1970. She is 

also the mother of Temara, the first zoo-born orangutan to 

be released into the wild in the protected Bukit Tigapuluh 

National Park in Indonesia as part of an orangutan 

reintroduction program. 

Teliti and Temara’s father is 34-year-old Hsing Hsing who 

has been at the Zoo for 26 years. He has fathered four 

orangutans since coming to Perth Zoo from Singapore in 

1983. 

As with the Zoo’s pregnant orangutans in the past, keepers 

use a standard human pregnancy kit to determine 

pregnancy. Puteri was confirmed pregnant in May this year 

and the birth has been eagerly anticipated ever since. 

Perth Zoo Exotic Mammals Curator Leif Cocks says the 

pregnancy went extremely well and the birth was very 

quick and hassle-free. 

“Puteri adores Teliti, cradling and feeding her when she is 

hungry or appears to need reassurance,” 

Mr Cocks said. 

“Teliti is hanging onto Puteri without assistance and 

is strong and alert which are all good indicators of a very 

healthy, young orangutan.” 

Teliti will start eating some solid foods, such as tropical 

fruit, at about five months of age but will continue to 

suckle for the next five to six years. She is the third 

orangutan born at the Zoo over the past five years. 

With the success of reintroducing Temara into the wild, 

Perth Zoo has had a positive 

response to the Don’t Palm Us Off 

advocacy campaign, however 

more signatures are needed. 

Don’t Palm Us Off aims to change 

food-labelling legislation in Australia 

and New Zealand, mandating the 

labelling of palm oil on all food 

products. 

But why is this an issue? 

Approximately 6,000 orangutans are 

killed each year, mostly due to the 

destruction of their habitat. The primary 

reason for this is the increasing 

demand for oil palm plantations which 

results in large-scale clearing of 

rainforests in Indonesia and Malaysia. 

Currently, palm oil can simply be 

labelled as vegetable oil and is found 


successful breeding programs like that at Perth Zoo 

assists with the re-establishment of extinct populations 

of Sumatran Orangutans in protected areas. 

Teliti was named by nine-year-old Calvin den Boer in a 

competition run with . 

Come and see Puteri and her precious daughter in 

the Sumatran Orangutan exhibit, located in the 

Asian Rainforest. 

in a wide variety of products including 

chocolate, bread, detergents and 

cosmetics. This means you don’t 

know if you’re buying products that 

contain palm oil. 

Food Standards Australia New 

Zealand (FSANZ) has the power to 

change food-labelling legislation. 

However, in order to justify this change 

FSANZ needs to know that you want 

the right to choose. That’s why we 

want to hear from you. 

Once palm oil is clearly labelled, we 

can seek to have tighter regulation of 

the palm oil industry and drive the 

demand for sustainable palm oil which 

doesn’t lead to the destruction of 

rainforests, the deaths of orangutans 

and other animals or the exploitation 

of workers. 

Puteri with baby Sumatran Orangutan. Photo: Derek Smith 

Visit 

to read more about this campaign and 

add your name to the online petition 

to call for the labelling of palm oil.

Photo by Phil England 

How to Build a 

Crocodile-friendly Garden 

The new outdoor extension to Simmo the 

Estuarine Crocodile’s exhibit in the Australian 

Wetlands sees one of Perth Zoo’s biggest stars 

with a new heated billabong and feeding platform 

with masses of plants and rock to replicate the 

Kimberley region of Western Australia. 

Since its opening on 26 September by Minister 

for the Environment Donna Faragher, the exhibit 

has proved to be very popular with visitors, 

especially during Croctober (the month formerly 

known as October). Visitors are able to watch 

Simmo from a 12 metre long glass viewing area. 

During the summer months, one of the most 

spectacular sights for visitors will be Simmo’s 

Sunday feed. 


9

10 

While standing on the new feeding platform, keepers can 

now feed Simmo in full view of visitors and watch as he 

propels his body out of the water to catch his meal. 

Crocodiles use this behaviour to launch a surprise attack 

on their prey. 

Taking advantage of our warm summer, Simmo can also 

be seen basking in the sunlight, which he used to do in an 

out-of-sight area. Crocodiles bask in the sun to heat and 

cool their bodies to maintain a steady temperature of 

30–32°C. The process, which is common to ectotherms 

(a group of animals that includes reptiles and amphibians), 

is known as thermoregulation. 

Simmo also thermoregulates in his new outdoor billabong. 

It holds 90,000 litres of water that is warmed to 28°C. 

It is 1.7 m deep at the lowest point and the water is 

exchanged and filtered every 24 hours to keep Simmo 

healthy and the pool clean. 

So how did the new exhibit come together, 

and what was involved? 

Building zoo exhibits takes into account everything from 

animal husbandry and welfare, visitor safety, occupational 

health and safety for staff and interpretation and education. 

This requires collaboration from many different areas 

across the Zoo including zoo keepers, horticulturalists, 

educators, graphic designers and maintenance staff. Of 

course, builders are also needed for the bigger works, 

such as pool construction and fencing. 

The main idea behind the look and feel of the exhibit is to 

replicate the Kimberley region, one of the Estuarine 

Crocodile’s natural habitats. To achieve this, a lot of 

planning went into the choice of plants and trees for 

the gardens by the Zoo’s horticulture team. 

Perth Zoo horticulturist Tanya Taylor says that the role 

of the horticulturist goes far beyond simply planting 

the flora species. 

“During the planning process for exhibits we have to 

research the plants endemic to the animal’s 

distribution in order to replicate their natural habitat,” 

Ms Taylor says. 


“Often there is up to a year’s worth of preparation to 

grow and source stock that coordinates with the rest of 

the project, especially if you want the surrounding 

gardens to look more established. 

“It’s amazing working on such a huge project like this 

because it can involve anything from small seedlings to 

huge 200 litre trees. Though it’s hard work it’s very 

rewarding to see the finished product with everything 

working together.” 

Species planted include Pandanus Grasses (Pandanus 

spiralis), Gymaea Lilies (Doryanthus excelsa), Pennywort 

(Centella asiatica), several species of Melaleucas (also 

known as Paperbarks) and a selection of rushes, which 

resemble grasses. 

By seeing Simmo swimming and out in 

the open, visitors get a real understanding 

of this powerful and ancient predator. 

Another feature of the Kimberley region is the red rocky 

outcrops which feature so prominently in this part of 

Western Australia. Of course, we had to have the same 

at Perth Zoo. A rock escarpment backdrop was added to 

the back of the exhibit as well as along the footpath, and 

around the viewing window, billabong and feeding 

platform. 

Concept Design Management Studio (CDM) co-designed 

and completed this rock facade, using a mould of natural 

cliff faces. Mesh-covered steel frames in the shape of the 

Can you find the 25 Cane Toads and two very 

realistic Olive Python models hidden in the gardens 

surrounding Simmo’s new exhibit? 

Unfortunately Cane Toads are now starting to enter 

into northern Western Australia from the Northern 

Territory. Many people and organisations are working 

hard to stop them from becoming a major menace in 

Western Australia.

cliffs were placed around the exhibit. A cement mixture, 

which was pre-tinted with terracotta oxide and milled 

fibreglass for added strength, was then poured over the 

frames and allowed to dry. Rock-covered areas on the 

feeding platform, escarpment and around the billabong 

were rubberised to protect Simmo’s soft underbelly and 

snout. 

Other aspects of the project included where to put the 

billabong and how to shape it; installation of the viewing 

glass and fences; connecting electricity, sewerage and 

water; laying (and mowing) the grass; installing 

reticulation and putting down mulch; and writing, 

designing and installing interpretative panels. 

Australian Fauna Curator John Lemon says the finished 

exhibit not only showcases the apex predator of the 

Kimberley escarpment but it also enables visitors to delve 

into Simmo’s world. 

“Simmo came to Perth Zoo in 1998 from Darwin and has 

held a fascination for our visitors since, especially children,” 

Mr Lemon said. 

“The redevelopment affords visitors the opportunity to 

see Simmo’s distinct behaviours. By seeing Simmo 

swimming and out in the open, visitors get a real under - 

standing of this powerful and ancient predator; and I’m 

certain visitors will get a thrill seeing Simmo launching out 

of the water to grab his Sunday feed during summer. 

“Hopefully people will now trust us when we say, ‘Yes, 

he is real’.” 

Our crocodile’s statistics 

Age: Between 50 and 70 years old 

Length: 4.7 m 

Weight: About 500 kg 

Relationship status: Single. Simmo can’t be housed 

with female crocodiles as he’s killed two in the past 

before he came to Perth Zoo 

…Now that’s a heavyweight! 

Spotlight on the Plants 

of the Kimberley 

Rushes and Sedges 

Rushes are small grass-like shrubs that are angiosperms 

(flowering plants). They are often found in dry conditions 

where there is little water or nutrients in the soil. Sedges 

are similar in appearance to rushes. Both types of plant 

serve as ground cover in the exhibit. 

Pandanus Grass Pandanus spiralis 

Also known as a Screw Spine this shrub can grow up to 

10 m high and is common in the far north of Australia. Its 

spined leaves form a spiral and can be used for weaving 

baskets and mats. 

Gymea Lily Doryanthus excelsa 

This stunning plant has clusters of crimson flowers that 

grow on stems reaching up to six metres high and long 

sword-like leaves. 

Gotu Kola or Pennywort Centella asiatica 

Known as Gotu Kola in Sri Lanka, this plant is native 

to the far north of Australia as well as India, Indonesia, 

Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and other parts of Asia. It 

has round, heart-shaped leaves similar to a native violet. 

Melaleucas or Paperbarks 

Melaleucas are small to large shrubs and trees that are 

quite hardy and well-adapted to saline-rich and nutrientdeficient 

soils. They have bright, attractive flowers that 

are usually white, yellow, pink or red. 

Gotu Kola or Pennywort 

Centella asiatica 

Sword Sedge Lepidispermum sp. 

Above photos: Rowena O’Byrne-Bowland/Perth Zoo 

Loose Flower Rush 

Juncus pauciflorus 

Thanks Tiwest Night Stalkers 

Well done to all 2009 Tiwest Night 

Stalkers for getting out into nature 

and spotting native and feral 

animal species. For more 

information visit 

. 

Thank you Tiwest for your continued support for 

this important community conservation event. 


11

12 

Perth Zoo’s Puggles 

Perth Zoo has had another successful year of echidna 

breeding with the birth of two puggles in August. 

Moa, meaning ‘three’, and Kain, meaning ‘one’, are the 

fourth and fifth puggles bred since 2007. Moa is the third 

offspring for female Kiltah and male Wilgi, while Kain is the 

first for female Elyan and male Wilki. 

Perth Zoo Australian Fauna supervisor Arthur Ferguson 

says both puggles are developing very well under the care 

of their mothers in the nursery burrows and are expected 

to emerge in February. 

Only 13 echidnas have been born in captivity in Australia 

and Perth Zoo is proud to have produced five of them. 

Echidnas have typically been difficult to breed in captivity 

but Perth Zoo’s investigation of their breeding habits has 

led to a greater understanding of echidna reproduction. 

Research indicates that temperature plays an important 

role in many stages of the breeding cycles, from 

producing the egg and incubating it, to keeping the 

puggle safe and developing well in the burrow. 

It is very difficult to determine the sex of young echidnas 

and so Perth Zoo has approached Dr Frank Grützner, an 

Australian Research Council Research Fellow and geneticist 

from the University of Adelaide, for his assistance. 


Using a small hair sample from three of the echidnas born 

at the Zoo (Jilba, born 2007, and Mila and Chindi, born 

2008), it is hoped Dr Grützner will be able to determine 

their sex. 

Dr Grützner investigates the amazingly complex sex 

chromosomes of platypuses and echidnas. Dr Grützner’s 

research team has identified DNA that occurs only in male 

echidnas. Very sensitive genetic tests will be carried out 

on Jilba, Mila and Chindi’s DNA in the hair samples to see 

if they carry the male-specific DNA. 

Moa and Kain must wait until they are eight months old 

before they can be sexed using this technique. 

Determining the sex of the Zoo-born echidnas will help 

Perth Zoo decide who is to be paired with whom in the 

breeding season to come. Perth Zoo hopes to produce a 

second generation of captive born echidnas, something 

that has never been achieved previously. Perth Zoo staff 

are eagerly awaiting Dr Grützner’s results but until then 

they are enjoying watching the two new puggles grow. 

You can see Short-beaked Echidnas in their Australian 

Bushwalk exhibit, which 

is proudly sponsored by 

Termimesh System. 

Would you like to m ake a contribution to conservation? 

YES! I wish to m ake a donation to Wildlife Conservation Action 

Please find enclosed my donation of (please tick): $100 $50 $30 $20 Other $ 

I wish to pay by: 

Credit card – please fill in details below or call (08) 9474 0350 

Cheque/money order – make payable to Perth Zoo’s Wildlife Conservation Action 

Credit card details: Visa Mastercard Bankcard AMEX 

Card No __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ / __ __ __ __ Expiry Date 

Name on card Signature 

Address Suburb Postcode 

Telephone 

Please tick if you require a receipt 

Email 

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible within Australia. 

Return this coupon with your donation to: 

Perth Zoo, PO Box 489, South Perth WA 6951 

Photo: Daniel Scarparolo

A Day in the Life of… 

Cassandra Bynder, Native Species Breeding Program Cadet 

Cassandra started working at Perth 

Zoo as an Indigenous cadet in 

February 2009 to help find her 

calling in animal conservation. 

First starting in the Education section, 

Cassandra found it useful to learn 

how to educate and communicate 

conservation messages to people. 

She started with some of Perth Zoo’s 

learning experiences and worked side 

by side with other members of the 

Zoo Education team. 

In September, Cassandra moved to 

the Zoo’s Native Species Breeding 

Program (NSBP), which works with 

some of Western Australia’s most 

threatened species. 

“The switch was hard at first but only 

because I had to adjust my working 

hours to arrive at 7:30 am. I also had 

A Day in Cassandra’s Diary 

7:30 am Arrive at the Zoo and join the NSBP staff for their 

morning stretches. They are designed to keep you limber 

and help with the day’s activities. It’s also the time to find out 

what’s going on with the animals. I then wait to hear which 

keeper has the busiest day so I can help them. The Western 

Swamp Tortoise round is usually the busiest. 

8:30 am We check on the Western Swamp Tortoise 

hatchlings in the off-display holding ponds to make sure they 

are healthy. We have to keep an eye out for any females that 

look as if they are about to lay their eggs throughout the day 

so we can monitor them. 

8:45 am We walk down to the Australian Wetlands exhibit 

to check the water temperature because Western Swamp 

Tortoises need a temperature of 14–30°C. We also clean the 

glass and remove any excrement or uneaten food from the 

tank. 

9:00 am We go back to the Western Swamp Tortoise area 

and clean the hatchling ponds, while also giving them a feed 

of brine shrimp and blood worms. 

9:30 am Any weighing and monitoring is done. We also check 

the health of the tortoises to make sure there isn’t anything 

out of the ordinary. 

10:00 am Break for morning tea. 

10:30 am I complete odd jobs around the off-display 

hatchling and adult holding ponds such as cutting the grass 

in the ponds or cleaning out yesterday’s uneaten food. 

12:30 pm Lunch. 

1:00 pm I go and do some ‘termite harvesting’ for the 

Numbats in residence. Basically, I have to separate the 

termites from the wood by knocking them into a tray. 

This can be very time consuming because adult Numbats 

eat 20,000 of these little critters per day. 

to acclimatise to a work day where 

I’m always on the move but it’s great 

because I’m honing a different set of 

skills,” says Cassandra. 

“I get to be around Numbats, 

Western Swamp Tortoises, Dibblers, 

Woylies and native frogs all day, 

which is great. I provide support to 

the keepers, following whoever has 

the most to do on that day and doing 

food preparation for the animals, 

cleaning exhibits, weighing animals 

and anything else they need. 

“Watching the first Western Swamp 

Tortoises egg-laying for the season 

(October–November) was amazing. 

We know when they are about to lay 

because they tend to circle around 

sanded areas. If they start to dig a 

hole, then we know it’s going to 

happen really soon.” 

Undertaking the cadetship has 

allowed Cassandra to gain insight into 

career opportunities. 

“When I first started looking into doing 

a cadetship at Perth Zoo, all I knew 

was that I wanted to help with 

conservation. Working in different 

parts of the Zoo has allowed me to 

gain practical experience for my 

Environmental Science course at 

Central TAFE and see what is on offer 

in this field. 

“I’m fascinated by how the different 

sections operate and what a day’s 

work in each consists of. I’m lucky to 

have the opportunity to work in a 

variety of positions in a dynamic work 

environment, which broadens my 

horizons.” 

1:30 pm I prepare the food for the juvenile and adult Western 

Swamp Tortoises, cutting their ‘pudding’ (an assortment of 

beef heart, rat, fish and marron) according to how many 

individuals are in each of the 42 ponds. 

2:30 pm The tortoises are fed and we head back to the 

Australian Wetlands exhibit to give the tortoises their food. 

We also check the temperature again. 

3:15 pm Wind up for the day: make sure everything is done, 

wash up food preparation materials and clean, and check the 

temperatures in the holding ponds again. I also help write the 

daily report including the temperatures that we’ve taken, the 

results of weighing the tortoises, notes regarding their heath 

and any important information needed for the next day’s 

keeper. 

4:00 pm Time to go home and study. 


13

14 

Scene at Perth Zoo 

Chaske Spencer, who plays Sam Uley, leader of the wolf 

pack, in New Moon, the sequel to Twilight, with our resident 

‘wolf’, Durka the Dingo. 

Photo: Daniel Scarparolo/Perth Zoo 

Female Rough-scaled Python incubating her eggs, 

known as ‘egg brooding’ 

Photo: Meagan McPharlin/Perth Zoo 


Dancing Spider Orchid (Caladenia discoidea) in 

bloom. One of our horticulturists, Pete Archer, 

was lucky enough to see it in an off-display area. 

Photo: Pete Archer/Perth Zoo 

White-cheeked Gibbon Nelly inquisitively reaching 

for the camera as keeper Holly Thompson takes a 

snap shot before giving her some behavioural 

enrichment. 

Photo: Holly Thompson/Perth Zoo

New Ghostly Arrivals 

Born on 27 October and 2 

November, two Ghost Bat pups 

have joined the colony in the 

Nocturnal House. 

Perth Zoo received its first Ghost 

Bats in 1977 from the isolated Pilbara 

population, making Perth Zoo the 

only institution to hold bats of this 

origin. Ghost Bats inhabit northern 

Western Australia, Northern Territory 

and Queensland. 

This breeding season, Perth Zoo staff 

discovered something new. The 

gestation period for the Ghost Bat is 

actually a lot longer than previously 

documented, being at least 99–105 

days rather than 77–84 days. This 

allowed staff to increase the diet of 

the pregnant female to accommodate 

the young, and closly observe her 

toward the end of gestation. 

Perth Zoo staff worked hard to 

provide the right conditions for 

breeding, which includes an ideal 

cave temperature of 27–29°C and 

ensuring male and female bats are 

paired in time for the breeding 

season between May and August. 

Once they have mated, the sexes are 

separated into two exhibits. 

“They are a territorial species and it’s 

important to provide an area for the 

weaned infants so they can gain 

independence and avoid competition 

between older males while they are 

still maturing,” says Australian Fauna 

keeper Michael Cranley. 

“It’s the first time in many years that 

we’ve had two offspring in one 

breeding season. Next year, cameras 

will be set up to more accurately 

pinpoint their mating habits. Maybe 

we’ll even capture a birth on film.” 

At the moment the sex of the two 

Ghost Bat pups cannot be easily 

determined. It is not until they reach 

about two years of age that it 

becomes easier to tell male and 

female Ghost Bats apart. The pups 

will start flying at seven weeks of age 

and will be weaned at about five 

months of age. 

Ghost Bats are named for their pale 

appearance and the ghost-like 

silhouette they make against the 

moon as they fly. Large colonies of 

bats, once numbering more than a 

thousand, inhabit the sandstone cliffs, 

abandoned mines and deep limestone 

caves of northern Australia. Now the 

largest colonies only include about 

200 Ghost Bats. 

Classified as a vulnerable species, 

there are only about 5,000 Ghost Bats 

left in the wild due to changes in 

habitat and the destruction of the 

caves and mine shafts in which the 

bats live. 

You can make a home for bats by 

building or buying a bat box and 

installing it on your property. Australia 

is home to over 90 bat species and 

many have adapted to urban living by 

roosting in human-made structures 

such as buildings, garages and sheds. 

If you don’t mind having a resident bat 

in your garage or shed, ensure there is 

a clear flight path by removing any 

overhanging branches or wire. Visit 

 

for more information on how to make 

your garden bat-friendly. 

Did You Know? 

The Ghost Bat is Australia’s only carnivorous bat and, like other bats, uses 

echolocation to hunt insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles and even 

other bats. By making high-pitched sounds and using the length of time 

the sound takes to echo back, the bat determines how far away its prey 

is and in which direction it is moving. 


15 

Photo: Arthur Ferguson

16 

Silvery Gibbon 

Hylobates moloch 

Red List Status: Endangered 

One of 16 species of gibbon found 

across South-east Asia, Silvery 

Gibbons are only found on the 

tropical Indonesian island of Java. 

Gibbons are arboreal, or treedwelling, 

and use their long arms to 

swing through the tree canopies 

faster than most other animals, with 

an arm stride of up to three metres. 

They are capable of swinging a 

distance of up to 15 metres. 

Silvery Gibbons are social and live 

as an adult pair with up to three 

offspring. They are active during the 

day, when they forage for wild fruits, 

young leaves, flowers and 

occasionally small birds and lizards. 

Their day starts at dawn with a loud 

call that carries several kilometres 

and signals their territory to other 

gibbons. Females also call when they 

are alarmed and the males survey the 

area for threats and intruders. 

The Silvery Gibbon’s pregnancy lasts 

about seven months. The infant is 

very dependent on its mother and 

clings tightly to its mother’s hair, 

rarely leaving her during its first year. 

Silvery Gibbons are facing possible 

extinction in the wild because humans 

have encroached upon their habitat. 

A staggering 98% of their habitat has 

been lost by human colonisation and 

remaining gibbon populations are 

highly fragmented, totalling 

some where between 400 and 

4000 individuals. 

Although illegal, young gibbons are 

poached from the wild and taken as 

pets. Often the mother is killed to 

capture the infant. 

The remaining Silvery Gibbons in 

Java now live in forest habitats 

toward the top of mountain ranges 

because humans occupy the valleys. 

The populations are fragmented and 

there is little movement between 

populations, resulting in a smaller 

genetic pool. 


How Can You Help? 

If you travel to South-east Asian 

countries, avoid having your 

picture taken with pet gibbons. 

This only strengthens the market 

for the illegal pet trade. 

Avoid buying furniture made 

from Indonesian timber that 

is unsustainably harvested. 

Donate to Perth Zoo’s Wildlife 

Conservation Action, which 

supports the conservation of 

Silvery Gibbons in the wild. 

Perth Zoo has a family of four Silvery 

Gibbons. Adult female Hecla and 

male Jury have produced six offspring, 

some of which have moved to other 

zoos around the world to form 

breeding pairs. The most recent birth 

at Perth Zoo was a female named 

Cahaya, who was born in May 2008. 

She joins brother Nakula in their 

Asian Rainforest exhibit. 

theredlist pawprints 

Silvery Gibbon Quick Facts 

Other Names: Javan Gibbon 

Diet: Fruit, leaves, nector and grubs 

Habitat: About 500 kg 

Body Length: 45-64 cm 

Weight: 4 -9 kg 

Gestation: 210 days 

Number of Young: 1 

Unlike other gibbon species, the 

Silvery Gibbon does not sing in 

‘duets’. The female is the dominant 

vocalist while the male sings only 

occasionally. 

The Red List website records the conservation status of thousands of mammal and bird species. Check it out at .

What’s on 

Go to ‘what’s on’ under the ‘events’ section of Perth Zoo’s website 

for more information on most events listed below. 

11–31 January Hide and Seek Activities 

Kids, come along and find out how animals use camouflage 

to hide from predators or ambush their prey, with fun art and 

craft activities and story-telling sessions in the Homestead 

Barn from 10:00 am–3:00 pm. You can even decorate your 

own gecko to help it camouflage into its environment! 

Gold coin donation per child to participate. All money raised 

goes directly towards conservation projects in the wild. 

18, 19 and 21 January Wild About Animals 

Join Perth Zoo and the RSPCA for a fun-filled day learning 

about how to care for animals. Children 10–14 years visit 

behind the scenes with Zoo animals. They also learn how the 

RSPCA care for animals and discover ways to improve the 

care of some special ones. 

Time: 9:00 am–1:00 pm 

Cost: $50 per person or $45 for Zoo Friends and RSPCA 

members 

Contact 9474 0365 or download a registration form from our 

website. 

23 January Kids’ Night Out Concert 

presented by Commonwealth Bank 

Perth Zoo’s special kids' concert will have you singing and 

dancing, with fun for the whole family. This bumper night of 

entertainment features The Wild Aussies, The Powerpuff Girls 

and the energetic Roary the Racing Car. Enjoy extended Zoo 

animal viewing times, live entertainment on stage, then party 

on with Perth band Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts. 

Cost: Adults $36, Kids (4-15yrs) $18, Under 4s $7.50, 

consesssion/seniors $26, infants under 12m FREE 

(ticket still required). 

Time: 5:30 pm–9:00 pm 

Special note: Zoo Friends receive a 20% discount for this event on 

tickets purchased at Perth Zoo only. Membership cards must be 

presented for each ticket when booking and upon entry to the event. 

Planning a summer function? 

Make your next party unforgettable. 

Perth Zoo is one of the most popular picnic locations 

in Perth. Beautiful gardens, shaded barbecue areas 

and interesting animals all provide a venue that will 

make your company, social club or family day out an 

event to remember. To pre-book a picnic area for that 

special day, contact Perth Zoo on (08) 9474 0402. 

13 February Kate Ceberano and 

The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra 

presented by Commonwealth Bank 

Spend a romantic evening under the stars when the WA Youth 

Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) teams up with multi-award winning 

jazz songstress Kate Ceberano for a night of cool jazz. 

Kate’s powerful, soulful vocal style is a perfect match for the 

slick and hip young WAYJO jazz crew, under the artistic 

direction of Mace Francis. Grab a picnic and a patch of grass 

and settle back for a fabulous concert of up-beat swing and 

cool jazz grooves. 

Cost: All tickets $47. (Infants under 12 months free, 

ticket still required). 

Time: 5:30 pm–9:00 pm 

28 February Brownes Numbat Club Day 

Brownes Numbat Club members are invited to a super special 

day at Perth Zoo with FREE activities including a bungee 

trampoline, rock climbing, bouncy castle, face painting, hairbraiding 

and Brownes dairy samples. Perth Zoo’s Main Lawn 

will be full of fun from 10:30am to 3:00pm so bring your mates 

and your membership cards or sign up on the day to join in. 

21 March Teddy Bears’ Picnic 

When you go down to the Zoo today you’re in for a big 

surprise! Kids aged 4–15 years enter for just $2! (Under 4s are 

free). Bring a picnic and join in a jam packed day full of lots of 

extra activities. Check the website soon for more information. 

Time: 9:00 am–5:00 pm 

Congratulations Maggie 

Perth Zoo 

congratulates Docent 

Maggie Richardson, 

who was named the 

2009 WA Senior of the 

Year for her work with 

Perth Zoo, the Positive 

Aging Foundation of 

Australia and the 

Arthritis Foundation. 

Be sure to congratulate 

Maggie if you see her 

out in the grounds, at 

one of the Docent 

touch tables or guided 

walks. 


17

18 

Taking a Step for 

Sustainability: REmida 

Following on from the ‘reduce, 

reuse, recycle’ theme of this 

segment in the last issue of News 

Paws, Perth Zoo would like to 

introduce you to REmida, Perth’s 

Creative Reuse Centre. 

REmida is a non-profit organisation 

that first began in Reggio Emilia, Italy, 

in 1996. Citizens wanted to provide 

opportunities for people to utilise 

refuse for creative projects. They 

invited local manufacturers to donate 

their unused bi-products to REmida, 

saving them from landfill and 

regenerating them into a creative 

resource. 

“The name was developed from the 

mythological figure of King Midas, 

who turned everything he touched 

into gold,” says Stephanie Backhouse, 

REmida Administrator and Public 

Relations Officer. “REmida fosters a 

golden perspective on discarded 

materials.” 

Entering REmida’s offices in East 

Perth, your eyes are drawn to the 

many artistic creations that adorn 

the walls, tables and other surfaces. 

Taking a closer look, you can see the 

carefully created pieces are comprised 

of usually understated materials. 

REmida challenges the perspective 

that industrial off-cuts such as 

plastics, wood, metal and ceramics 

are unusable or worthless. Instead, 

REmida embraces their potential as 

vibrant, interesting and dynamic 

materials for sculptures, puppets 

and other creative uses. 

Members pay an annual fee which 

Perth Zoo Education and REmida 


Creating art from industrial off-cuts. Photo: Courtesy of REmida WA. 

allows them to collect unlimited 

materials for the duration of their 

membership. A range of workshops 

and events are offered to students, 

teachers and the community. 

A workshop on the last Thursday of 

every month combats the thrall of 

plastic shopping bags by making 

bags out of recycled materials. Called 

Guerilla Bagging, the bags are then 

handed out to the public as a 

statement about reducing plastic 

bag consumption and for use. 

On Saturday afternoons in the Art 

Discovery Series, people experiment 

and develop new skills by creating 

pieces of artwork with recycled 

products. These specialised programs 

see participants create mechanical 

toys, make light catchers and prints. 

REmida recently presented a creative workshop for the Perth Zoo 

education team and our Docents who assist with education 

programs. 

After hearing about the REmida philosophy, staff and Docents 

familiarised themselves with the nature, properties and potential 

uses of the industrial off-cuts. They then created unreal animals 

using the materials while exercising their imaginations to develop 

a story about their animal – its habitat, behaviours, social 

structure and conservation status. 

Everyone enjoyed the challenge set by REmida and Perth Zoo 

will promote REmida’s philosophy and programs through its own 

education experiences. 

Schools can visit the REmida Centre 

for workshops in puppet-making, 

collage, mechanics, art and storytelling 

or education officers can visit 

them. REmida also offers teacher 

professional development on how to 

use recycled materials in the 

classroom. 

School workshops run for two hours 

or there are whole-day workshops 

for one or two classes available on 

Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

School holiday programs are also 

available. 

For more information on unique and 

engaging ways that you and your 

family can reduce, reuse and recycle 

common household and industrial 

materials, contact REmida on 

info@remidawa.com, (08) 9227 5576 

or visit . 

Photo: Courtesy of REmida WA.

Assorted soft toys. Prices vary. 

This lovely plush selection of soft toys, including 

native and exotic species from around the world, 

will make any child happy. 

Stainless Steel drink bottle. $24.95 

These beautifully illustrated, eco-friendly 

stainless steel drinking bottles are great to 

use with water, juice, or milk. A reusable 

alternative to plastic and other epoxy lined 

metal containers. They are 100% recyclable. 

10% 

discount 

for Zoo 

Friends! 

AND DONT FORGET, OTHER 

GIFT IDEAS AVAILABLE 

Memberships Close Encounters 

Concert Tickets Entry Tickets 

Animal Adoptions 

Outback Pride Bushfood. 

Prices start at $6.50 

Native bush food from the heart 

of Australia, grown by traditional 

Aboriginal communities and now 

available for you to enjoy at home. 

Open 365 days 9 am–5 pm 20 Labouchere Rd South Perth, Ph 9474 0444 

Brownes Numbat Club Day 

Sunday 28 February 2010 

Brownes Numbat Club members are invited to a 

super special day at Perth Zoo with FREE activities 

including a bungee trampoline, climbing wall, bouncy 

castle, face painting, hairbraiding, Brownes dairy 

samples and more. 

Not a Brownes Numbat Club member? You can 

sign up on the day to join in the fun. 

For more information head 

to our website 

 

Mark your diaries now for the 

Teddy Bears’ Picnic 

coming to Perth Zoo – 21 March 2010. 

The IGA Easter Treasure Hunt 

coming to Perth Zoo – 28 March 2010. 

Check Perth Zoo’s website closer to the date 

for more information.

Presented by: 

Saturday 23 January 2010 

ROARY THE RACING CAR is a registered trade 

mark of Chapman Entertainment Limited 

Party with The Powerpuff Girls Concert, Roary the Racing Car, The Wild Aussies and 

The Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts. 

20% Zoo Friends discount applies for this event. 

Kate Ceberano 

and The WA Youth Jazz Orchestra 

Presented by: 

Saturday 13 February 2010 

Spend a romantic evening under the stars when 

Australia’s own multi-award winning songstress Kate 

Ceberano teams up with the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra. 

Grab a picnic and a patch of grass and settle back for a 

fabulous concert of up-beat swing and cool jazz grooves. 

Tickets from Perth Zoo, www.ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100 

More information at www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au

Summer 2009 - Perth Zoo

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?