WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 1 ZOOS VICTORIA Birds Mammals Partners Projects On Climate Change About Zoos Victoria Executive Summary Fighting ExtinctionCommitment a Message from theChair Minister’s Forward and Amphibians Swift Parrot Regent Honeyeater Plains-wanderer Orange-bellied Parrot Mallee Emu-wren Helmeted Honeyeater Fighting ExtinctionDogSquad Tasmanian Devil Southern Bent-wing Bat Smoky Mouse New HollandMouse Mountain Pygmy-possum Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum Eastern Barred Bandicoot Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Northern CorroboreeNorthern Frog Large Brown Tree Frog Giant Burrowing Frog Baw Baw Frog Contents 27 35 30 20 38 28 36 29 39 24 22 33 32 37 13 10 14 19 16 15 21 17 31 4 9 6 2 3 7 Campaigns 64 International Conservation Aboriginal communities Engaging withVictorian species alliance Expanding ourthreatened Victoria’s Faunal Emblems Building neighbourhoodsfor Wildlife Health Watch List Species Invertebrates Reptiles Don’t Palm UsOff Conservation Grants International Sub-Saharan Africa Conservation in South-east Asia Conservation in Conservation inOceania Lord Howe IslandStick Insect Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper Golden-rayed Blue World Class Chytrid Research Amphibians Future-proofing Victoria’s Stuttering Barred Frog Spotted Tree Frog Southern Corroboree Frog Guthega Skink Grassland Earless Dragon Alpine She-oak Skink 45 49 40 60 48 68 44 50 46 76 56 62 59 43 42 63 47 70 53 78 75 72 41 51 Five Year Project Timelines Our commitment 2019-24 Endowment Fund Building Capacity Love Your Locals Cryopreservation Conservation Technology Zoos Victoria’s Volunteers Teacher Members Youth attheZoo and Fighting ExtinctionSchools Education for Conservation Under themagnifying glass Beads for Wildlife Seal theLoop They’re Calling onYou Harvesting andHomes A wildlife-friendly bean Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife and Beyond Bubbles not Balloons 100 80 101 84 90 86 98 99 85 89 94 83 82 87 97 93 92 79 91

INTRODUCTION From the From the Minister Chair

Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation Master Plan I am delighted to present to you Zoos Victoria’s 2019-24 supports the Victorian State Government’s second Wildlife Conservation Master Plan 2019- Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 24. A considerable amount of work and extensive 2037 plan. The Master Plan demonstrates Zoos stakeholder consultation has gone into preparing Victoria’s commitment to threatened species this document. As a result, Zoos Victoria has been recovery programs. Zoos Victoria also plays a able to craft a five year plan that draws on the best critical role in educating the community about the conservation minds from across south-eastern importance of protecting our natural environment Australia. for future generations. It is nearly double the size of its predecessor For the first time, the Master Plan presents Zoos plan, for we are now fighting the extinction of Victoria’s biological and social science projects as 27 threatened native fauna species. There is also an integrated strategy. This approach complements the addition of a species ‘Watch List’, and, inspired the overall vision and shared goals of the State by our Government’s ambition to ensure that Government to achieve a healthy environment all Victorians are connected to nature, we have and to help Victorians value nature. integrated our community conservation programs. The Victorian State Government and Zoos Victoria At Zoos Victoria, we do not work alone. We work share a commitment to protecting the State’s with many partners and are a foundation member ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS biodiversity using evidence-based approaches and of the Victorian Government-led VicEnvironments cutting edge technology. Zoos Victoria has made Forum. We understand the need for multifaceted great strides towards the recovery of Critically solutions and effective partnerships to solve Endangered species in the wild, such as the complex conservation problems together, locally Helmeted Honeyeater. I would like to congratulate and globally. Zoos Victoria on their unwavering commitment As you will read in these pages, Victoria’s precious to securing a wildlife-friendly future, and on a wildlife is facing many and persistent threatening brave and inspiring Master Plan that tackles the processes. To mitigate these, this is our plan to challenges wildlife face both locally and abroad. undertake a combination of biological and social projects, ensuring that each one is evidenced-based and has targeted and measurable objectives. While we are so proud of the projects articulated in this plan, we know that we can only fight extinction together. Collectively, we can ensure that we don’t lose any more species – not on our watch. We hope you will join us.

Lily D’Ambrosio Kate Vinot

MINISTER FOR ENERGY, CHAIR, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE ZOOS VICTORIA BOARD

2 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 go extinct on ourwatch. Vertebrate Species will No Victorian Terrestrial and current trajectory towards extinction. of Victoria dueto theirurgent situation native threatened species found outside to an additionalfour south-east Australian Zoos Victoria extends conservation capacity PLEASE NOTE: • • • • the following criteria: priorities are determined based on Threatened species conservation of extinction over thenext 20 years. interventions dueto theirlikelihood urgently require conservation 27 native threatened species that and Science unithasprioritised Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation before itistoo late. Consequently, recover species at riskof extinction Extinction strategy isto secure and The aimof Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Key threatening process Restricted distribution Declining populationtrend Small populationsize Extinction Commitment Zoos Victoria’s Fighting the trajectory of species indecline. large-scale impact andeven change undertaken by allof us, could have off oreveryday actionsthat, when These behaviours can besimple, one- threatening processes to wildlife. behaviours thatalleviate specific measurable campaigns thatfacilitate will continue to runtargeted and friendly attitudes andbeliefs. We to wildlife, helpingto shapewildlife- Zoos Victoria willconnect people to fight theirextinction. and take theactionsnecessary All Victorians value wildlife WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

3

INTRODUCTION Executive Summary

Zoos Victoria is fighting extinction to secure a future rich in wildlife. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

In 2014, prior to embarking on our partnerships, practical on ground species, and marks an extension of previous Wildlife Conservation action and a suite of innovative our reach to assist others in need. In Master Plan, we dreamed of securing projects underpinned by science, these pages, you will find our plans Victoria’s elusive and Critically Zoos Victoria has been able to lead to lead the way for in-situ and ex-situ Endangered Baw Baw Frog. Our hope the charge in bringing the mainland interventions that aim to recover was to find and breed the species Eastern Barred Bandicoot back from species in the wild. To achieve this, within our care before the pressures the brink. The years following the we work with more than 100 partners threatening its survival became too initiation of our Master Plan 2014-19 to secure measurable conservation great. Our first rescue mission failed, have certainly taught us that each outcomes. Whilst our Fighting and we had to wait an entire year success brings great responsibility, Extinction commitment focuses before those rare, little brown frogs with the fate of these species now primarily on terrestrial vertebrate could be detected again. firmly within our charge. species, we have recognised the breadth and depth of our specialised Now, as we present this Wildlife While our ultimate successes will expertise and extended our scope Conservation Master Plan 2019-24, always be measured by our ability to to assist more threatened Victorian not only have we found Victoria’s demonstrate gains in the wild, it is invertebrates. only endemic frog species, we have important to reflect on the species had our first season of breeding that would now be either Extinct in This document outlines many success within the insurance the Wild or functionally extinct had individual projects under the species population and there is more genetic Zoos Victoria and other partners not and taxa which they most benefit. diversity secured within Melbourne intervened. The Southern Corroboree As is often the case, ecological Zoo’s Baw Baw Frog bunker than Frog, Orange-bellied Parrot and interventions may benefit multiple remains in the wild. Helmeted Honeyeater are among species. As such, a representative those that have not been lost to this species has been selected to capture Significantly, we also find ourselves world largely thanks to zoo-based project intent. In an attempt to distil at the threshold of recovery conservation. complex programs, each description success for the Eastern Barred aims to provide a summary of its Bandicoot, which not so long ago This Wildlife Conservation Master motivations, an update on what has was listed as Extinct in the Wild Plan 2019-24 is an affirmation of been achieved since our previous across the state. Through extensive our unwavering dedication to those

4 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 environments. they can thrive intheirnatural species andpopulationsso that and aimto provide insurance to management andanimalhusbandry through world class ex-situ wildlife continue to provide auniqueoffering State Government, Zoos Victoria will a statutory entity of theVictorian In collaboration with others andas over landscape-scale approaches. specialised interventions are required Government recognises that Alpine She-oak Skink,theVictorian as theHelmeted Honeyeater and that are Critically Endangered such situ conservation. For those species considerable expertise intheex- capitalise onourstaff members’ In additionto this, Zoos Victoria will scale conservation. Victoria willinvest inlandscape- where we reasonably can, Zoos presented by climate change, and, crucial intheface of challenges belong. This approach isparticularly shared ecosystems to whichthey that favour multiplespecies andthe for improved ecological processes document focus onbalancing efforts actions contained withinthis many of thein-situ conservation Environment -Biodiversity 2037 plan, Government’s Protecting Victoria’s the broader context of theVictorian With thisinmind,andcouched in interconnected. terrestrial species, they are all trajectory isof concern. AsAustralian dire needandthose whose current Extinction efforts are both those in have prioritised inourFighting The 27 species thatZoos Victoria back pages. project timelines can befound onthe More detailed cost breakdowns and estimated costs for each project. Master Plan(where appropriate) and proud to update you onournew and international programs and are have reframed ourthinkingaround renowned biodiversity hotspots. We beyond Australia’s borders inglobally and helpbuildcapacity andcapability to extend ourconservation efforts Victoria recognises ourresponsibility We are global citizens, andZoos actions necessary to fight extinction. Victorians value wildlife andtake the the road to recovery, andwhenall Victoria’s threatened species are on that we have beensuccessful when members of thepublic.We willknow between conservation science and down thereal andperceived barriers intends to invest inbreaking further the citizen science landscape, and is becoming increasingly involved in Beyond ourproperties, Zoos Victoria conservationthat support actions. on opportunities available to us new technologies, andto capitalise progress thedevelopment anduse of for conservation practitioners to Zoos Victoria understands theneed approaches for conservation gain. application of technologies andnew we are constantly evolving inour Conscious never to remain static, community. and backgrounds thatmake upour range of personalities, skillsets Zoos Victoria isenrichedby the in strength through diversity, and action for conservation. We believe the community to take meaningful inspire others to joinusandempower with ourpartners, we willstrive to interventions into oneplan.Together our social projects andbiological the first time we have integrated audiences near andfar, andthisis to reach andinfluence diverse and education initiatives seek community conservation campaigns people asitisaboutwildlife. Our conservation isasmuchabout At Zoos Victoria, we know that WILDLIFE CONSERVATION every oneof ushasarole to play. nothing butourbest, andeach and Our threatened species deserve live up to ourpromise. and we are fiercely determined to We are energised, we are equipped time for ourintervention isnow. extinction remains mighty, andthe in 2014, thefight against wildlife we launchedourfirst Master Plan successes worth celebrating since While there have beenmany threatened species andhabitats. inform ourapproach to conserving from Aboriginalpeopleto help communities, we willseek guidance sector. Working withIndigenous the ‘traditional’ conservation and seek outnew ones beyond nurture existing relationships a priority to extend ournetwork, With thisinmind,we have madeit work itdoes withoutourpartners. Zoos Victoria could not doany of the of thisMaster Plan,Quite simply, have contributed to thedevelopment we thankthemany partners who together achieve better results and We know thatpeoplewhowork Werribee OpenRange Zoo. Sanctuary, MelbourneZoo and world class properties; Healesville the respective focuses of ourthree Sub-Saharan Africa. This alignswith in Oceania, South-east Asiaand Criticallysupport Endangered species expanded sister zoo approach to help 5

INTRODUCTION About Zoos Victoria

Zoos Victoria is a not for profit, zoo-based conservation organisation, delivering conservation outcomes through our three zoos - Melbourne

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo.

Melbourne Zoo was founded in 1862. 1. Conservation Zoos Victoria raises more than While this makes it the oldest zoo in 2. Our Animals 70 per cent of our operating budget Australia, a couple of centuries is a 3. Our Visitors through zoo-based activities, blip in time. For thousands of years 4. Our People driven by generous philanthropists, before this date and for all time after, corporate partners and by the 5. Financial Sustainability the Wurundjeri and Wathaurung millions of people who want to peoples remain the custodians of Determined as we are to fight wildlife experience the animals in our care. the land on which our properties extinction, we also recognise that We always strive for excellence are located. There is a great synergy the world is facing challenges of in animal welfare and to provide between the traditional ways of momentous proportions. Climate environments wherein species can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander change is not something that we thrive. Compassionate conservation people and what Zoos Victoria’s and our partners can solve on our is a cornerstone of what we do. This vision aims to achieve. We appreciate own. But we can strive to predict and means that we ensure our work is that their knowledge, their interests mitigate the risks posed by changing always justified, that we take the and their contributions will add landscapes and do everything most humane approach to fighting considerably to our mission. We look possible to future-proof species in wildlife extinction and that we forward to working with Indigenous this rapidly evolving world. Zoos strive to ensure that our approach custodians of these lands and Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation is effective. understand it is a privilege to do so. and Science team hosts experts Over the five years of this plan, across the social and biological Zoos Victoria aims to be the world’s we will increase our commitment sciences and, together with partners, leading zoo-based conservation to conservation on all fronts, works hard to address human organisation. Underpinning this is appreciating that sound financial driven threats to wildlife under an our mission to fight extinction and sustainability is key to success. integrated one-plan approach to secure a future rich in wildlife. We conservation. strive to do this by focussing our strategy and efforts on five action areas, these are:

6 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 of awarming planet. suffering theconsequences habitats andwildlife are already That said, people, theirlivelihoods, when planning ouractivities. are allfactors beingconsidered competition from migrating species communities andincreased and latitudinal shiftingof ecological altered flowering regimes, altitudinal landscapes, extreme weather events, mission of Fighting Extinction.Drying change-related challenges to our complexities posed by climate We recognise theunprecedented on climate changevery seriously. all scientifically rigorous reporting Zoos Victoria takes thisreport and release carbon into the atmosphere. limit to which humans can continue to an ear-splitting warning aboutthe more than90scientists andprovided levels. This report was authored by warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial report ontheimpacts of global Change (IPCC) released its special Intergovernmental Panel onClimate In 2018, theUnited Nation’s in achangingclimate On Fighting Extinction communities have arole to play. all governments, businesses and mass-scale behaviour changeand This requires unprecedented by 2030 andreach net zero by 2050. halve its emissions of carbon dioxide temperature to 1.5°C, humanity must In order to limittheincrease inglobal are allworth fighting for. loss of terrestrial ecosystems. These survival of coral reefs and reduced changed climate, upto 30% greater suffering thedirect effects of a to 2°C; 420 millionfewer people global warming to 1.5°C ascompared that could belessened by limiting a numberof devastating impacts The United Nationshashighlighted towards net zero. to rapidly reduce carbon emissions only window of opportunity we have this very document represents the of ourtime. The five year period of Climate changeisthedefining issue is aBig Deal Half aDegree WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

we share itwith. home, andto theincredible wildlife to each other, to theplanet we call As aspecies, thisisourresponsibility live more sustainably. inspiring ourmillionsof visitors to environmental footprint, andto what they can doto reduce their organisations internationally our commitment to showing other neutral. This milestone signals independently certified as carbon the first zoo inthe world to be hard to reduce carbon. We were organisation, Zoos Victoria works As azoo-based conservation Emissions On Carbon

7

INTRODUCTION Our vision is of a future rich in wildlife. Addressing the many threats to animals and the environment necessitates brave and thoughtful plans; plans that align resources and science and make sure that we support each other in our combined efforts. Together we can make a difference. Dr Jenny Gray

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

8 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 • • • • • • • • • • • projects include: Zoos Victoria’s conservation processes. to address specificthreatening scientific rigourandare selected of technology are underpinnedby education programs andapplications including Zoos Victoria’s campaigns, fighting extinction. Allinitiatives, diverse range of tools we use in have undergone andtheincreasingly reflective of both the expansion we from ourprevious Master Planandis sciences. This marks adeparture across thebiological andsocial spanning arange of approaches integrated package of projects, This Planisastrategic and Indigenous engagement cryopreservation Conservation DogSquad and Novel approaches suchasthe International conservation and school-based Education programs; onsite campaigns Community conservation Citizen Science Community engagement Research programs Endangered species captive breeding of Critically Ex-situ conservation through threatened species Translocation of Threatened species monitoring Projects wildlife andwildplaces. policy changessupport thatbenefit community andpolitical willto behaviours aswell as in mobilising to offsite, withinandacross various promote spillover effect, from onsite behavioural changeprograms to This willinvolve leveraging a consequence of thisinvestment. to expand ourreach andimpact as Victoria willexplore opportunities to ensure anintegrated plan,Zoos Whilst great effort hasbeenmade approach integrated planning Zoos Victoria’s WILDLIFE CONSERVATION • • • • • ZOO-BASED INTERVENTION MONITORING/EVALUATION THREAT IDENTIFICATION SUPPORTING RESEARCH DECLINING POPULATION Biological • INTERVENTION (IF REQUIRED) FIELD-BASED • SPECIES

THREAT DRIVEN HUMAN these icons citizen science are identified by Projects thatinvolve research and the conservation sector. with others from withinandbeyond plan isundertaken inpartnership every project articulated inthis with whomwe work. Each and increased thenumbers of partners 2014-19, we have significantly Wildlife Conservation Master Plan Since Zoos Victoria’s previous

CITIZENSCIENCE RESEARCH • • COMMUNITY CONSERVATION MONITORING/EVALUATION • • • DESIRED BEHAVIOUR TARGET AUDIENCE/S BELIEF ELICITATION ATTITUDES, VALUES • INTERVENTIONS TARGET BELIEF,

Social RESEARCH

9

INTRODUCTION Thanks to our partners

Zoos Victoria is incredibly grateful for the support and guidance that we receive from our partners. The fight against extinction is far too great for one, but not too great for many. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

10 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 (SA) Environment andWater Department for Deakin University Team Corroboree Frog Recovery Australia Conservation Volunteers Specialist Group Conservation Planning Coastcare Victoria Melbourne Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Catholic Education Canidae Development Bush Heritage Recovery Team Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby BirdLife Australia Baw Baw Shire Team Baw Baw Frog Recovery Bass Coast Shire International Australian Volunteers Association Australian Veterinary Foundation Australian Trout University Australian National Rylah InstituteArthur Centre Animal Welfare Science Alliance Amphibian Survival Amphibian Research Centre Conservation Land ACT Parks and BehaviourWorks Development Institute - Monash Sustainable Monash Frozen Zoo Melbourne Water Manila Zoo Mabuwaya Foundation Lord Howe IslandBoard Recovery Team Leadbeater’s Possum La Trobe University James Cook University Recovery Team Helmeted Honeyeater Gorilla Doctors Greening Australia Possum Friends of Leadbeater’s Honeyeaters Friends of Helmeted Federation University FaunaBank Fauna Research Alliance International Fauna andFlora Elanus Consulting Recovery Team Eastern Barred Bandicoot Dunkeld Pastoral Company Dian Fossey GorillaFund Devil Ark and Environment (Tas) Industries, Parks, Water Department of Primary and Planning(VIC) Environment, Land,Water Department of and Training Department of Education WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Government San MarianoMunicipal RSPCA Victoria RSPCA Australia RMIT Rhino Fund Uganda Management Authority Port Catchment Port Phillipand Western Port Moresby Nature Park Phone Cycle Phillip IslandNature Parks Resources of Environment &Natural Philippines Department Parks Victoria Recovery Team Orange-bellied Parrot Heritage (NSW) Office of Environment and Odonata Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources SA Native FishAustralia National Trust Victoria National Geographic Museums Victoria Management Authority Murray Catchment Interpretation Centre Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Management Board Mt Hotham AlpineResort Mt Baw Baw AlpineResort Recovery Team Mountain Pygmy-possum Moonlit Sanctuary Monash University Zoos SA Association Zoo andAquarium YMCA Victoria Wildlife Unlimited Wildlife Profiles and Aquariums World Association of Zoos VR Fish Victoria University University of Wollongong University of Tasmania Australia University of South University of Sydney University of Queensland University of Newcastle University of Melbourne Centre Uganda Wildlife Education Trust for Nature Conservation Program Tree Kangaroo Tiverton Property Partners Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Bird Advisory Committee The Threatened Mallee Conservancy The Carnivore Society Australia Taronga Conservation Tangaroa Blue Recovery Team Spotted Tree Frog Southern Cross University Polynesie- Societe´ d’Ornithologie de Program Save theTasmanian Devil 11

INTRODUCTION YOUNG EASTERN BARRED BANDICOOT WERRIBEE OPEN RANGE ZOO

Even mammals that are extinct in the wild, like the mainland Eastern Barred Bandicoot, can be returned to the wild and have a strong future when we work with amazing partners to fight extinction.

Dr Marissa Parrott

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGIST ZOOS VICTORIA Mammals targets andnext steps for securing theirfuture. species inthelast five years and to set outclear updates onwhatwe have achieved for these mammals onthebrink.We are proud to provide Outlined inthissection are ourplansfor eight determined to ensure it never happensagain. A decade onfrom thistragedy, we are fiercely Christmas IslandPipistrelle before theirvery eyes. own staff witnessed theextinction of thelast forever. Asrecently as2009, some of our Thylacine andLesser Bilby, have disappeared Australian mammalspecies, including theiconic in theworld. Since thearrival of Europeans 34 record of thehighest mammalianextinction rate Sadly, Australia isalso hometo theunenviable species can befound nowhere else. Eighty Ours isanislandof specialmammals. CREATING THEFUTURETHEY DESERVE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ‑seven percent of Australia’s mammal 13

SPECIES BRINGING BACK ‘THE SHADOW’

MAMMALS Victoria’s Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby

BIOLOGICAL Using a thick long tail for balance, increased to about 40 individuals. padded feet for grip and rufous- There is also a small number of DESIGN, IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR A coloured fur for camouflage, the reintroduced animals at one site TRANSLOCATION STRATEGY to support Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby (Petrogale in the Grampians. Given these the wild population and establish at least penicillata) is expertly adapted to life low numbers, the cornerstone for one new wild population. on the rocky escarpments and granite the recovery of this species is the $715,000 outcrops of south-eastern Australia. increased production of young. A captive-breeding program has been ASSIST PARTNERS TO MAINTAIN AND Sadly, predation, coupled with in place for more than a decade, STRENGTHEN THE FREE-RANGING changing climate and vegetation INSURANCE POPULATION at Tidbinbilla involving Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, patterns across its range, has Nature Reserve & Mt Rothwell and Adelaide Zoo, Adelaide University resulted in fewer than 100 Brush- produce young for release to the wild. and Mt Rothwell. Conservation tailed Rock-wallabies remaining in $150,000 geneticists are guiding the the wild and captivity in Victoria, population management strategy making it our state’s most Critically SEARCH FOR remnant populations. to alleviate inbreeding in the wild Endangered mammal. $60,000 and captive populations. One free- In Victoria, the last known population ranging Victorian population in SOCIAL of wild Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby is a predator-exclusion compound, ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS isolated to a single gorge in a remote at the Mt Rothwell Biodiversity INTEGRATE THE PLIGHT OF THE part of East Gippsland. In 2008, this Interpretation Centre, is showing a WALLABY THROUGH THE ANNUAL population was thought to contain high rate of reproduction. Together ‘HOP FEST’ EVENT to increase fewer than 20 individuals. Thanks with partners, Zoos Victoria is community care and knowledge of the to the dedicated efforts of several determined to build on this success species and generate support for the conservation projects. project partners, including DELWP, and assist in the creation of robust the Recovery Team and Parks insurance populations in Victoria. $10,000 Victoria, these wallabies have been protected from introduced predators Over the coming five years, TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS and slowly their numbers have priority actions are to: $935,000

Photograph by Rick Hammond

14 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 different sites (includingatHamilton, released zoo-bred animalsinto 10 successfully bred over 670 EBBs and this species. Since then,we have managing captive breeding for recovery program andtook on ZoosIn 1991, Victoria joinedthe fenced reserves. breeding programs andpredator-free disappeared forever withoutcaptive in Victoria where itwould have and isontheverge of recovery Today, theEBBpersists inTasmania particularly onthemainland. feral predation andhabitat loss, faced overwhelming threats from and mighty ecological engineerhas the arrival of Europeans, thissmall grasslands andwoodlands. Since maintaining thesoil structure of night; playing animportant role in over upto 13kilograms of a earth Barred Bandicoot (EBB) can turn nocturnal forager, anEastern of south-western Victoria. Asa dotted thenighttime landscape insectivorous marsupial thatonce (Perameles gunnii)isalong-nosed The Eastern Barred Bandicoot Will Watt Photograph by MAMMALS A SECURE FUTUREISJUST AROUNDTHECORNER The mainland Eastern Barred Bandicoot years we will: To dothis, over thenext five recovering thisspecies inthewild. over 2,500individuals, ultimately total numberof EBBs from 1,200 to clear target of increasing thecurrent sustaining population,we have a establishing andmaintaining aself- the island.With astrong focus on forits support releasing EBBs on French Island community to foster continue to work closely withthe During thisMaster Plan,we will largest fenced reserve inVictoria. predator-proof fence atTiverton, the significant funding to builda to keep EBBs safe andcontributed the effectiveness of guardian dogs and PhillipIslands, begantrialing ranging populationsonChurchill Nature Park, we established free- partnership withthePhillipIsland progress intherecovery of EBBs. In and partners madesignificant first Master Plan, Zoos Victoria Throughout thecourse of our species inthe wild). the last known location of this WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Victoria. to coordinate recovery efforts across $60,000 p.a SUPPORT EBBFENCEDRESERVES $20,000 p.a SUPPORT THEGENETICHEALTH $460,000 FERAL CATS ASSIST THEERADICATION OF $270,000 ISLAND. POPULATION OFEBBSONFRENCH ESTABLISH ANDMAINTAIN A BIOLOGICAL $2,535,000 TOTAL COST (OVER FIVEYEARS) $10,000 ONLINE ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS AND $90,000 WHERE EBBSMAY BERELEASED. ENGAGE FRENCHISLANDCOMMUNITY $91,000 p.a EMPLOY ANEBBPROJECT OFFICER $850,000 INSURANCE POPULATIONS. MAINTAIN ZOOS VICTORIA’S CAPTIVE to maintain fox-free status. projects. generate for support theconservation care andknowledge of thespecies and of EBB populations. SOCIAL thataimto increase community from French Island.

15

SPECIES Saving the Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum

MAMMALS NOW OR NEVER

BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL There are fewer than 40 Lowland Leadbeater’s Possums DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A PARTNER WITH THE “YARRA4LIFE” (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) left TRANSLOCATION STRATEGY to support PROGRAM run by the Port Phillip and in the wild. They are restricted to the wild population and establish a new Westernport Catchment Management a narrow parcel of precious land population. Authorities to increase community at Yellingbo Nature Conservation $175,000 p.a engagement, with a focus on habitat Reserve. Without drastic intervention, restoration on private land. the extinction of this genetically DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A GENETIC $10,000 p.a distinct population is imminent. RESCUE STRATEGY for the wild population. COLLECT A COMPILATION OF VIDEO The key threat to the Lowland $5,000 p.a & IMAGES to share the rare and magical Leadbeater’s Possum relates to experience of meeting a “forest fairy” - the limited amount of high quality MAINTAIN POPULATION MONITORING aiming to increase increase species care, floodplain forest on which they AND NEST BOX MONITORING knowledge of and support for the key depend. Habitat was cleared in the throughout the species’ range to biological conservation actions required to conserve LBPs. past and existing areas continue determine its condition and inform necessary interventions. to be degraded. During the past $40,000 five years, Zoos Victoria’s recovery $220,000 ERECT ROADSIDE SIGNAGE NEAR LBP

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS strategy has focused on habitat MAINTAIN ZOOS VICTORIA’S CAPTIVE POPULATION SITES to build community restoration and attempted captive- BREEDING PROGRAM with a focus on connection to local species and increase breeding at Healesville Sanctuary. overcoming barriers to breeding. support for new and existing projects to Despite significant effort, difficulties $850,000 manage critical habitat. have been encountered with $60,000 both endeavours. INVESTIGATE EXTENT OF CAT AND FOX PREDATION on wild LPBs ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND Time is running out for the Lowland and control feral predators. ONLINE that aim to increase community Leadbeater’s Possum. It is absolutely $120,000 care and knowledge of Victoria’s faunal critical that the population size emblems and generate support for the is increased. A revised recovery EMPLOY A SPECIES (LOWLAND) conservation projects (note: also for strategy during the coming five years COORDINATOR for the Leadbeater’s Helmeted Honeyeater). will focus on enhancing protection of Possum recovery. $40,000 the most critical habitat supporting YEAR 1 the only remaining possums at COMMUNITY AND TARGETED $122,000 Yellingbo. We will also attempt STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT to to establish a new population obtain support for the establishment by translocating possums from of new release sites (note: also for Helmeted Honeyeater). Yellingbo to a suitable area of intact habitat, and work to restore the $5,000 p.a forest around our own Healesville Sanctuary and at Haining Farm in TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS the Yarra Valley to provide future release sites. In captivity, we will $2,427,000 continue to work to crack the code of how to breed Lowland Leadbeater’s Possums and apply other strategies to alleviate inbreeding.

The next urgent steps are to:

Photograph by Will Watt

16 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 years are to: Specific steps over thenext five this little alpinebattler. raise muchneededawareness for programs, andmake every effort to with possums, deliver education we willfacilitate visitor encounters map new habitat. At ourproperties, groups of possums, andexplore and to monitor andconnect fragmented populations by working withpartners We willalso provide to support wild a conservation tool for thisspecies. the success of captive breeding as will focus ourefforts on assessing term. Over thenext five years, we recovering thisspecies for thelong possums, there isaway to goin possums. With onlyaround 2000 opportunities of previously separated the improved travel andbreeding Road atMtLittle Higginbotham for tunnel beneath theGreat Alpine construction andmonitoring of a also assisted ourpartners inthe breeding andsurvival. We have and witnessed theirsuccessful possums into thewildatMtBuller Victoria released asmallnumberof bred over 100joeys. In2013, Zoos (MPPs) incaptivity andsuccessfully after Mountain Pygmy-possums husbandry protocols for looking species. We have developed the understand thistiny andunique possum Recovery Team to better working withtheMountain Pygmy- Since 2007, Zoos Victoria hasbeen three remaining populations. are seriously threatening thelast for thedevelopment of infrastructure feral animals, andhabitat destruction But achangingclimate, predation by year inhibernationunderthesnow. can spendupto seven months of the subalpine boulderfields of Victoria, it Found inthedeepalpineand hibernating marsupial. (Burramys parvus) isAustralia’s only The Mountain Pygmy-possum MAMMALS Protecting thePossum intheSnow infrared cameras. new enrichment enclosures andinstalling young inachangingclimate. Loch andinvestigate theloss of pouch HIGGINBOTHAM protection andrecovery. determine carrying capacity andmapfor Rick Hammond Photograph by $12,000 p.a FIND UNDISCOVERED POPULATIONS SURVEY POTENTIAL MPPHABITAT TO $40,000 $10,000 p.a TUNNEL OFLOVE ASSESS THEEFFICACY OFTHE $260,000 native vegetation. inbuilt monitoring systems, andrestore Connect MPPs vianew corridors with TIMMS SPURTUNNELOFLOVE: $130,000 MONITORING UNDERTAKE DETAILED POPULATION surveys andmonitoring. RESEARCH INCAPTIVITY WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BIOLOGICAL

CONDUCT MPPBEHAVIOUR at sites through population

AT MTLITTLE

such asMount by building

,

Nocturnal House atHealesville Sanctuary. BRED POPULATION OFMPPS MAINTAIN ZOOS VICTORIA’S CAPTIVE BIOLOGICAL $80,000 DISPLAY TUNNELS CREATE NEW ENRICHMENTAND $20,000 ONLINE ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS AND SOCIAL $1,790,000 TOTAL COST (OVER FIVEYEARS) $1,150,000 projects. generate for support theconservation care andknowledge of thespecies and research, education andencounters. that aimto increase community for MPPs inthe for

17

SPECIES BRUSH-TAILED ROCK-WALLABY Photograph by Sarah Summers the species’ distribution and students, Zoos Victoria redefined with anumberof partners andPhD In thepast five years, and working out entire populations. foxes andferal cats can swiftly wipe such aswildfire orhighdensities of such smallnumbers, local events introduction of feral predators. With due to CinnamonFungus andthe management, die-back of vegetation inappropriate fire regimes and habitat isolation of fragmented populations, loss andfragmentation, genetic processes for NHMincludehabitat now extinct. Key threatening of 12known Victorian populations in mice inTasmania, andseven out in allstates, witha99%reduction populations are decliningrapidly Sadly, New HollandMouse (NHM) eastern Australia and vegetated sand dunes of south- areas of theheathlands, woodlands a beautiful rodent native to small (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) is brown tail, theNew HollandMouse and bi-coloured pinkanddusky- With its large eyes, bigrounded ears Phoebe Burns Photograph by MAMMALS Bringing theNew HollandMouse home To dothis, we needto: tiny rodent. we can secure abright future for this people to learn andcare aboutthem, number of populations, andinspiring By boosting NHMnumbers andthe safe areas of theirformer range. reintroduction of NHMback into management strategies; andthe of long-term habitat andpopulation wild populations, thedevelopment of NHMincludecontinued surveys of Critical steps inassisting therecovery in thewild. help resurrect lost genetic diversity extinct populationisunderway to cryopreserved tissue from alocally without sightings. Aproject using Lakes NationalPark after 20 years years withoutsightings andinthe Promontory NationalPark after five however, NHMwere found atWilsons and numbers of NHM.Excitingly, frightening declineinthedistribution Victoria-wide surveys illustrated the among populations. In particular, and genetic differences withinand estimated populationnumbers WILDLIFE CONSERVATION state workshop andreporting. Holland Mouse rescue through amulti- Gardens. for reintroduction inthefuture. Mouse habitat. mitigation of CinnamonFungus to help $20,000 PROGRAM DEVELOP ALONG-TERM MONITORING $220,000 PENINSULA MOUSE TO THEMORNINGTON REINTRODUCE THENEW HOLLAND $180,000 IN THEWILD MONITOR THENEW HOLLANDMOUSE $730,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $20,000 USE OFBOOT CLEANINGSTATIONS RAISE AWARENESS ANDFACILITATE $10,000 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOP ANDDELIVERA SOCIAL $60,000 MOUSE: NEW SITES FOR NEW HOLLAND $40,000 on display atZoos Victoria. LOVE THENEW HOLLANDMOUSE HELP PEOPLE GETTO KNOW AND $80,000 (*if required) for reintroduction. COMMENCE CAPTIVE BREEDING $20,000 p.a back to the New HollandMouse. LOST FROM ANEXTINCT POPULATION RESTORE GENETICDIVERSITY extinct NHMsites. communities from current andlocally integrates traditional custodians and collection for translocations to new sites. BIOLOGICAL investigate additionallocations and define triggers for New at Cranbourne Botanic – includingpre andpost

that

for 19

SPECIES Searching for the Smoky Mouse MAMMALS

BIOLOGICAL

A SONG OF MICE AND FIRE: monitoring the Smoky Mouse in the Central Highlands and Grampians-Gariwerd National Park. $180,000

DEVELOPING A LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM and triggers for Smoky Mouse rescue through workshops and written plans. $20,000

RESEARCHING THE FIRST RELEASE OF THE SMOKY MOUSE Photograph by FROM CAPTIVITY TO NULLICA Phoebe Burns (south coast of NSW). $50,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS The Smoky Mouse (Pseudomys During our first Master Plan, and BRINGING OUR MICE BACK TO WHERE fumeus) is a small soft-furred rodent working with partners including THEY BELONG - investigate locations endemic to mainland south-eastern Museums Victoria and the Arthur for Smoky Mouse reintroduction. Australia. While taking its name from Rylah Institute, Zoos Victoria $60,000 the pale colouring of its body, the undertook new habitat modelling of Smoky Mouse is better known for the Central Highlands and revealed HELPING PEOPLE GET TO KNOW AND its characteristic 15 centimetre long locations suitable for the Smoky LOVE THE SMOKY MOUSE on display at two-toned tail, which it raises up and Mouse upon which to focus survey Zoos Victoria. down and bangs loudly when it feels efforts. Camera surveys of these $35,000 threatened. locations and the Grampians- Gariwerd National Park raised major COMMENCING CAPTIVE BREEDING Although once widespread, only two concern. Smoky Mouse were found (*if required) for future reintroduction. out of four known Victorian locations in only five of the 100 surveyed $80,000 of this species still contain Smoky locations. We are still looking, Mouse populations, and they are however, and aim to find over 100 SOCIAL likely to be small and fragmented. sites with the Smoky Mouse to set up Key threatening processes for the ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND a long-term monitoring program and Smoky Mouse include habitat loss ONLINE that aim to increase community management plan to help recover and fragmentation, changes to fire care and knowledge of Smoky and New the species. This will allow us to regimes and the introduction of feral Holland Mouse and generate support for determine whether captive breeding predators. In particular, it is believed the conservation projects. or reintroduction programs are that cats and foxes are responsible $10,000 needed in Victoria in the future. for localised extinctions of some RAISING AWARENESS AND populations. We will also work with partners in FACILITATING USE OF BOOT CLEANING NSW who are undertaking the first Classified as Endangered, and STATIONS for mitigation of Cinnamon breed and release program for the with mounting evidence from field Fungus to help Mouse habitat. Smoky Mouse. From here, we plan data of continuing and potentially $20,000 to display a small number of mice, catastrophic population decline, so that our visitors can see their Zoos Victoria believes that we grey smoky fur, bi-coloured tails and TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS are well positioned to work with snubby noses, and fall in love with partners to help recover the Smoky the Smoky Mouse, just as we have. $455,000 Mouse. The first step is determining distribution and abundance of this Projects include: species.

20 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 and hasraised questions further in thenightly roosting numbers revealed significant variations tracking technology. This monitoring linked withcutting edgemissile out usingthermalimagingcameras dusk, monitoring work was carried bats streaming outof thecave at difficulty in counting thousands of the Victorian maternity site and challenging coastal location of and rearing success. Given the Bent-wing Bats andassess breeding population dynamics for Southern Rylah InstituteArthur to determine efforts by research scientists at Plan, Zoos Victoria supported Over theterm of ourfirst Master Warrnambool inVictoria. (South Australia) andto acave near to amaternity cave inNaracoorte wing Bats now appear to beisolated breeding sites of Southern Bent- 50,000 individuals. Significantly, the estimated to comprise fewer than the current Victorian population is thousands across southern Australia, Once numberinginthehundreds of Bent-wing Bat remains aconcern. The populationof theSouthern South Australia. ancient cave dweller of Victoria and (Miniopterus orianaebassanii) isan night, theSouthern Bent-wing Bat finding insectivorous prey at Equipped withecholocation for MAMMALS APPLYING CUTTING EDGETECHNOLOGY The Southern Bent-wing Bat for the Southern Bent-wing Bat: of Victoria’s onlymaternity site understanding andmanagement urgently required to improve our The following actions are breeding refuges. the quality of these important non- to theirnatural state willimprove rubbish andrestoring these caves for theBent-wing Bats. Removing landowners andrendered unsuitable have beenused asrubbishdumps by outside of thebreeding season, some are used by thisspecies for roosting with ourpartners. While other caves investment indisease investigations encourage, asamatter of urgency, Syndrome, Zoos Victoria will to bats globally by White-nose light of theknown threat posed Bats andtheircritical habitats. In threats facing Southern Bent-wing and research conducted into the refuge sites willalso bemonitored Beyond thematernity cave, other Zoos Victoria willinvest accordingly priority of thisrecovery program and it provides for rearing young isa cave andthespecialmicro-climate and maintaining theintegrity of the questions. Ensuringtheprotection will take place to helpanswer these monitoring atthematernity cave Southern Bent-wing Bats. Further about thehabits andbehaviours of WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Rick Hammond Photograph by SOUTHERN BENT-WING BAT HABITAT. INVESTIGATING THREATS FACING $10,000 p.a HABITAT RESTORATION $80,000 STUDY OFWHITE-NOSE SYNDROME. RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC) FUNDED CONTRIBUTING TO ANAUSTRALIAN $425,000 DYNAMICS OFTHESPECIES. UNDERSTANDING THEPOPULATION $400,000 PROTECTING BIOLOGICAL $1,045,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $10,000 ONLINE ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS AND SOCIAL $80,000 cave surrounds. conservation projects. wing Bats andgenerate for support the care andknowledge of Southern Bent-

that aimto increase community Victoria’s maternity site. of maternity

21

SPECIES Working hard for the Devil

MAMMALS IN THE LAB, IN THE WILD AND IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE

CONSTRUCTING NEW LARGE GROUP The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus or tolerance in wild Devils. In the ENCLOSURES to maintain natural harrisii) is one of the most iconic wild, we will use new technologies behaviours in the Coranderrk. of all Australian species. Since the to determine Devil behaviour and $300,000 demise of the Thylacine, the Devil decrease road mortality through has served as the apex predator ‘virtual fences’ that use sound and UNDERSTANDING THE at the top of the food chain in the light to temporarily frighten animals ENDOCRINOLOGY of Devil breeding Tasmanian bush and is essential for away from roads when car headlights and lactation. keeping the natural balance of its approach. Finally, we will continue to $45,000 island ecosystem. act in the public sphere to promote community understanding and care MAINTAINING Zoos Victoria’s Tasmanian While seemingly fierce, the for this charismatic carnivore. Devil captive breeding efforts and Tasmanian Devil is seriously displays threatened by Devil Facial Tumour Next steps include: $2,300,000 Disease (DFTD). Sightings of Devils

have declined by more than 80% SOCIAL across their range, and up to 97% of Devils have been lost in some BIOLOGICAL INSTALLING SIGNAGE and providing support to assist in road kill hotspots with populations. As an additional driver NEW INTENSIVE BREEDING new virtual fencing. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS towards extinction, Devils also fall ENCLOSURES and monitoring systems to victim to road mortality. In 2006, maximise Zoos Victoria’s breeding efforts. $30,000 at the request of the Tasmanian $650,000 Government and the Zoo and ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND ONLINE that aim to increase community Aquarium Association, Zoos Victoria INSTALLING VIRTUAL ROAD FENCES care and knowledge of the species and commenced a captive breeding WITH THE SAVE THE TASMANIAN generate support for the conservation DEVIL PROGRAM to protect Devils, program for the Tasmanian Devil, projects. joining a network of Zoos and Quolls, Bandicoots and other species $20,000 Sanctuaries throughout Australia. from cars. Healesville Sanctuary currently holds $300,000 the second largest group of Devils on TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS MOLECULAR RESEARCH into mainland Australia and has produced resistance and tolerance to Devil Facial $4,245,000 over 130 young. Consequently, Tumour Disease. Zoos Victoria plays a critical role $30,000 in providing insurance against the extinction of the Tasmanian Devil. INVEST IN NEW CRITTERCAM CAMERA Throughout the course of our 2014- and drone technology to reveal the Devil’s wild secrets. 19 Master Plan, we saw successes from captive breeding efforts, $120,000 conducted cutting edge research RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT both in captivity and the wild, and OF DEVILS in mainland free-ranging raised awareness of the plight of the enclosures to investigate maintenance Devil. In the immediate future, Zoos of natural behaviours, foraging and Victoria will assist the recovery of breeding. the Tasmanian Devil on four fronts. $420,000 Firstly, we will continue to manage a robust insurance population in COLLECTING NEW DEVILS FROM THE captivity and conduct research to WILD to incorporate missing genetic assist conservation efforts. In the diversity into the captive population. lab, we will work with partners on $30,000 an innovative project examining DFTD and the possibility of finding and promoting disease resistance

22 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Photograph by Sarah Summers TASMANIAN DEVIL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 23

SPECIES Zoos Victoria Fighting Extinction Dog Squad

Our Dog Squad harnesses the relationship Detection Dogs between humans and dogs that has been In early 2018, Zoos Victoria forged over thousands of years and applies finalised Phase 1 of a trial to test the effectiveness of Detection Dogs the very latest advances in animal training in locating Critically Endangered and care. We are continuing to trial the species such as the Baw Baw Frog and the Plains-wanderer. We deployment of Guardian Dogs to protect found that Detection Dogs have Eastern Barred Bandicoots from introduced the capacity to survey large areas efficiently, and in many cases, predators and our Detection Dog team will have proven to be more accurate help us find species that are cryptic and at and less invasive than traditional survey methods. Their keen senses low density. allow the dogs to locate both live target species and indications of their presence, such as scats. This provides opportunities to conduct

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS broad-scale surveys across a species’ historical distribution, to secure diverse genetics for critical ex-situ interventions, and to provide insights into the prevalence and movements of introduced predators across the landscape. We are now poised to launch Phase 2 of our Fighting Extinction Dog Squad, expanding the Detection Dog program alongside our current Guardian Dog Program.

To do this we will undertake:

24 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 as tools for saving wildlife. forsupport theuse of conservation dogs Endangered species and boost community for andknowledge of ourmost Critically Detection Dogsprogram. TRAINING ANDDEVELOPMENT $1,105,000 MAINTENANCE $150,000 DOG TRAINING ANDIN-SITU SURVEYS $1,760,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $20,000 INCURSIONS - SCHOOLS DETECTION DOGSCIENCE ESTABLISH FIGHTINGEXTINCTION $10,000 p.a ENGAGEMENT – COMMUNITY ANDPRIVATE LAND $115,000 FERAL PREDATOR $45,000 DETECTION DOGS DEVELOPMENT ANDLAUNCH OFA $55,000 p.a collections. to complement monitoring and Sanctuary. target species. detection of additionalFighting Extinction members andprivate landholders. common ground withcommunity Fighting ExtinctionSpecies andfinding novel vehicle for telling thestories of surveys. BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL aimingto increase care of Zoos Victoria’s Detection Dogsasa program atHealesville scat detection for

Next steps for thisprogram include: revegetation projects. inhibiting thesuccess of habitat and introduced herbivores thatare to suppress theactivities of native investigate theuse of Guardian Dogs fox predation. Additionally, we will species threatened by feral cat and while exploring benefits for other additional bandicoot populations, sites so they can accommodate potentially expand thesize of these and, dependingontheoutcomes, we willcomplete thisresearch trial Throughout theyears of thisplan, for other threatened species. will also investigate thistechnique trial sites inwestern Victoria. We from introduced predators at multiple protecting Eastern Barred Bandicoots Dogs asanalternative approach to investigating theuse of Guardian this, Zoos Victoria andpartners are funding andresources. Inlight of fencing, requiring substantial into reserves with predator exclusion achieved on predator-free islands and Successful reintroduction hasbeen where introduced predators persist. to theiroriginalhabitats often fail reintroduce threatened species native species, andattempts to represents akey threat to Victoria’s Predation by foxes andcats Guardian Dogs WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Will Watt Photograph by

(and potentially for other species). of Eastern Barred Bandicoots restoration. in conservation, includinghabitat Range Zoo. APPLICATIONS INVESTIGATING ADDITIONAL $120,000 OF EBBPOPULATIONS TRIAL SITES TO ALLOW THEGROWTH EXPANDING THESIZEOFCURRENT $170,000 TRAINING MAINTAINING THEGUARDIAN DOG $250,000 GUARDIAN DOGS COMPLETING THETRIALUSEOF BIOLOGICAL $740,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $200,000 program atWerribee Open for Guardian Dogs for theprotection .

25

SPECIES ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT Photograph by Sarah Summers

The recovery of most threatened Victorian species is entirely achievable. But it requires knowledge, innovation, adequate resources, and determination. Why would we not try?

Dr Michael Magrath

SENIOR RESEARCH MANAGER ZOOS VICTORIA MAMMALS Birds Red‑tailed Black-Cockatoo onourWatch List. our concern for theBlack-eared Minerand Mallee Emu-wren andSwift Parrot, andearmarks new species to the Fighting Extinctionlist; the This Master Planalso details theadditionof two invest inrestoring its habitat across thestate. Endangered Plains-wanderers inthewild,andwill multi-state effort to buildnumbers of Critically largest size indecades. We have also joineda this Critically Endangered Victorian bird to its thrilled to have helpedgrow thepopulationof Emblems. Together withourpartners, we are Helmeted Honeyeater, oneof Victoria’s Faunal their wingsandthrive. Amongthese isthe ensure sixlocal bird species continue to spread rapid declines. Zoos Victoria hasplansinplace to habitat loss, some Victorian birds have suffered make upourstate. Underserious threat from biodiversity reflects the varied landscapes that legged waders andmajestic eagles, thisavian From tiny wrens, squawking parrots, long- Victoria ishometo more than450 bird species. HOPE ISONTHEHORIZON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

27

SPECIES The Helmeted Honeyeater BIRDS ON THE BRINK OF RECOVERY SUCCESS

BIOLOGICAL

MAINTAINING ZOOS VICTORIA’S CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM with a focus on gene-pool mixing. $1,400,000

TRANSLOCATIONS TO SUPPORT THE WILD POPULATION and establish at least one new population. $320,000

DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A GENETIC RESCUE strategy for the wild population. $15,000 p.a

RELEASING HELMETED HONEYEATERS into Coranderrk Bushland.

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS $175,000

ASSESSING AND DEVELOPING APPROACHES TO ADDRESS FERTILITY Photograph by CONCERNS. Sarah Summers $80,000

Since 2013, the number of Helmeted Healesville Sanctuary has continued SUPPORTING MONITORING of breeding season. Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus to refine and improve its captive- melanops cassidix) in the wild has breeding program for the Helmeted $100,000 increased from 50 to approximately Honeyeater, which has been underway DATABASE development and 200 birds. Despite this, there remains since 1989. Annual releases to the maintenance. much to do. The wild population wild will continue to bolster numbers. $5,000 p.a remains confined to Yellingbo This is one of the best examples in Nature Conservation Reserve and Australia of genetic management PRE-RELEASE predator avoidance is heavily dependent on an in-situ that integrates the wild and captive training as required. supplementary feeding program populations through transfer of $5,000 p.a led by the Friends of the Helmeted individuals. Under the guidance of Honeyeater. geneticists at Monash and La Trobe TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Universities, our efforts are currently The amount of suitable habitat at focused on alleviating inbreeding and Yellingbo and beyond is limiting $2,200,000 restoring some of the lost genetic recovery, and several significant diversity within the population. habitat restoration projects are underway to address this. Melbourne This long-standing program is Water has undertaken significant underpinned by strong partnerships work in an attempt to improve within a large and multi-disciplinary the hydrology and vegetation recovery team. Zoos Victoria, condition in this area. Conducting along with the recovery team, translocations to establish a new has developed a strong vision for Helmeted Honeyeater population success and there is considerable beyond Yellingbo is an urgent momentum towards achieving priority, and will provide risk- recovery in the wild. spreading against bushfire. Next steps include:

28 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 in thewildwe will: start ourcommitment to thisbird Extinction Species’ list. To kick addition to Zoos Victoria’s Fighting The MalleeEmu-wren isanew population incaptivity. prepared to establish aninsurance of extinction. Ifrequired, we are essential to countering thehighrisk in thenumberof populationsis re-establish populations. Anincrease dedicatedsupport recovery efforts to Mallee Bird Advisory Committee and together form The Threatened working withseveral partners who Species’ list. Consequently, we are Emu-wren onourFighting Extinction Zoos Victoria to include theMallee number of locations, hasprompted coupled withits restriction to asmall This significant riskposed by fire, returned to its former range there. been successfully translocated and Australia dueto bushfires, has following local extinction inSouth Victoria’s largest Malleeparks and, three fragmented populationsacross The species iscurrently found in vulnerable to theimpacts of wildfire. The MalleeEmu-wren isparticularly dense Malleespinifex. elusive birds between dart patches of fleeting flash of colourasthese tiny, with arufous-orange cap, provides a sky blueface andbib, contrasting weighing just 4grams. The male’s largest bird, isadiminutive songbird, name thatcalls to mindAustralia’s (Stipiturus mallee),despite having a The Endangered MalleeEmu-wren BIRDS RESTORING THEWRENTO ITS FORMER RANGE The MalleeEmu-wren $395,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $15,000 our local threatened species commitment. presence atourzoos of andonlineaspart Establishing theMalleeEmu-wren’s ZOOS VICTORIA’S PRIORITYLIST. WELCOME THISNEW SPECIES INTO SOCIAL $100,000 HUSBANDRY, AS REQUIRED. INVESTIGATE CAPTIVE BREEDINGAND $280,000 TRANSLOCATION SUPPORT WILD-TO-WILD former range. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BIOLOGICAL withinthespecies’

Rohan Clarke Photograph by 29

SPECIES NEW HOPE FOR RECOVERY The Critically Engandered BIRDS Orange-bellied Parrot

BIOLOGICAL Not much larger than a budgerigar, Supported by a broad range of the Orange-bellied Parrot partners, recovery actions for the MAINTAIN ZOOS VICTORIA’S CAPTIVE (Neophema chrysogaster) is one of OBP have diversified over recent POPULATIONS at Healesville Sanctuary Australia’s most threatened species. years. During the term of Zoos and Werribee Open Range Zoo. The wild population has been in Victoria’s previous Master Plan, we $1,700,000 decline for at least the last century, funded the expansion of breeding and there are currently estimated and holding facilities at multiple PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR ANNUAL to be fewer than 50 birds in the locations and contributed to annual RELEASES and over-winter ranching. wild. Without intervention, recent spring releases to the wild. New $40,000 p.a modelling estimates the likelihood of actions have also been initiated to CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN A NEW extinction in the next 20 years to be improve the survival of released birds CAPTIVE BREEDING RESEARCH almost 90%. and the breeding performance of the FACILITY at Healesville Sanctuary. wild population. These include over- The Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) winter holding (or ranching) of birds $855,000 is also one of the world’s only two collected from the wild, trial releases migratory parrots, breeding in PROVIDE SUPPORT for development on the mainland, cross-fostering south-western Tasmania during and implementation of a vaccine for of eggs and chicks, and the use of the summer months and migrating Beak and Feather Disease Virus. controlled habitat burns to promote

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS to the south-eastern coast of $120,000 food availability around the breeding mainland Australia for the non- site. Attempts are also underway INVESTIGATE the feasibility and breeding period. In recent decades, to establish a second breeding site desirability of a resident mainland breeding has been confined largely to grow the wild population and population. to one location, around Melaleuca mitigate the risk of wildfire. We are $20,000 p.a in Tasmania, while most of the very optimistic that this suite of actions few birds seen on the mainland have will translate to a sustained increase SUPPORT OPERATION OF AN been observed along the western AUTOMATED MONITORING SYSTEM in the wild population, but the next coastline of Port Phillip Bay. at the breeding sites. five years will be a critical period to evaluate their effectiveness. $10,000 p.a

While support for these actions SOCIAL will be central to Zoos Victoria’s investment in the OBP over the INVESTIGATE A PARTNERSHIP course of this Master Plan, we TO SUPPORT CITIZEN SCIENCE approaches for monitoring OBPs and will also engage in new initiatives habitat restoration. including trials to improve egg fertility in the captive program, $10,000 vaccine development for the ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND problematic beak and feather ONLINE that aim to increase community disease, and exploration of options care and knowledge of OBPs and for improving genetic health of generate support for the conservation the population. projects $20,000 This mix of current and new management and research TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS activities is as follows: $3,055,000

Photograph by Rick Hammond

30 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 recovery model. and release forms thebasis of our land management, captive breeding the wild.Acombination of improved habitat andmonitor bird numbers in local farmers to actively manage Parks Victoria, Trust for Nature and project partners includingDELWP, dedicated efforts by several of our SA. Here inVictoria, there have been Featherdale Wildlife Park andZoos Conservation Society Australia, birds are also heldby Taronga to house Plains-wanderers. Interstate, aviaries atWerribee OpenRange Zoo since constructed 22 purpose-built Victoria joinedtheprogram andhas extinction inthewild.In2017, Zoos program to provide insurance against initiate anationalcaptive breeding made thesignificant decision to and non-government organisations As aresult, anumberof government wanderer to Critically Endangered. conservation status of thePlains- Federal Government upgraded the declines inVictoria andNSW, the In 2015, following severe population Plains andtheNSW Riverina. strongholds of Victoria’s Northern wild, primarilyinthetwo remaining fewer than1,000 birds persist inthe declines. Today, itisestimated that dramatic andrapid population however, thespecies hasundergone loss of its sparse grassland habitat and Victoria. Dueto thewidespread Queensland, South Australia, NSW Australia withrecords from the native grasslands of eastern once widelydistributed throughout Historically, Plains-wanderers were and weighing fewer than100grams. standing atjust 20 centimetres tall torquatus) isaground-dwelling bird The Plains-wanderer (Pedionomus BIRDS Plains-wanderer BOOST NUMBERSINTHEWILD WORKING WITHPARTNERS TO groups). pairs andchickclusters (insingle-sex breeding program to accommodate 15 captive birds. $45,000 ADDITIONAL LOCALITIES UNDERTAKING SURVEYS AT $115,000 CONDUCTING TRIALRELEASE $130,000 p.a INCREASING THEAREAOFHABITAT $620,000 UNDERTAKING HABITAT MONITORING $5,000 p.a to inform populationmanagement. UNDERTAKING GENETIC MONITORING $12,000 p.a IDENTIFYING RELEASE SITE. $25,000 p.a MONITORING INTHEWILD. MAINTAINING POPULATION $640,000 ENCLOSURES INCREASING THENUMBEROF $800,000 CAPTIVE BREEDING EXPANDING ZOOS VICTORIA’S BIOLOGICAL Crucial next steps include: for captive-bred birds. and management to provide release sites new founders for captive breeding. sites providing highquality habitat. across awell-managed network of least 500pairs of Plains-wanderers secure aVictorian populationof at Over thenext 20 years, we aimto covenanting. protected through acquisition and support releasesupport to thewild. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION to expand thecaptive population to

to identify

of

Friends of Terrick Terrick. Conservation Management Network and ONLINE ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS AND $60,000 LOCATIONS ERECTING SIGNAGE AT STRATEGIC $100,000 ENGAGEMENT INCREASING COMMUNITY SOCIAL Rick Hammond Photograph by $3,260,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $20,000 conservation projects. wanderer andgenerate for support the care andknowledge of Plains- critical habitat areas. awareness inthelocal community about thataimto increase community alongmajorroads to raise inpartnership withthe

31

SPECIES BIRDS

SECURING A WOODLAND NOMAD

BIRDS The Regent Honeyeater

BIOLOGICAL Fewer than 500 Regent Honeyeaters it is time to expand the captive are thought to occur in the wild, program to provide a greater level of EXPANDING ZOOS VICTORIA’S the result of ongoing declines insurance against extinction. This will CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM to over the past 30 years. Population include representing more of the wild support releases to the wild with a new modelling indicates a higher than genetics in captive breeding. complex at Werribee Open Range Zoo. 50% probability of extinction $690,000 Halting the declining trend for this during the coming two decades, iconic honeyeater requires the placing it among Australia’s most BUILDING THE CAPACITY of our dedicated efforts of many partners. imperiled birds. partners to undertake captive breeding. Strong foundations are in place, $80,000 As woodland nomads, Regent but it will take time to increase Honeyeaters follow the flowering the extent and quality of Regent SUPPORT FIELD ACTIONS TO of their favourite eucalypts. The Honeyeater habitat. Importantly, IDENTIFY IMPORTANT HABITAT and unpredictability of their movement critical support measures are in enhance breeding performance. and the vast distances they travel place, including field surveys, while $30,000 p.a make it difficult to obtain reliable efforts to mitigate threats in the wild population estimates and, at times, take effect. TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS the whereabouts of much of the

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS population is unknown. We will support the recovery $920,000 of this species by: There are several key threats impacting this species, including the clearing, degradation and fragmentation of woodlands for agriculture, increased competition for nectar resources, and high rates of nest predation. The small size of the wild population is also a major concern. A successful captive-breeding and release program, led by Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Birdlife Australia and the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has been underway since 1995 to bolster the wild population. The role of Zoos Victoria is to support these partners by increasing the holding and breeding capacity of Regent Honeyeaters across the captive- breeding program. The ongoing declines in the wild indicate that

Photograph by Rick Hammond

32 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 important determinant of breeding of eucalypt flowering can bean flowering eucalypts. The extent generally inclose proximity to Swift Parrots breed intree hollows, summer isnolongerpresent. during winter andnesting over species once relied upon for foraging the forests andwoodlands thatthe Dividing Range. More than70% of with theinlandslopes of theGreat forests andwoodlands associated most Swift Parrots forage inthedry flowering eucalypts. In Victoria, NSW insearch of nectar from disperse throughout Victoria and mainland. Duringwinter, birds the Bass Strait to theAustralian grounds ineastern Tasmania across from theirmainsummerbreeding the entire wildpopulationmigrates Orange-bellied Parrot). Each autumn, in theworld (the other beingthe of onlytwo trulymigratory parrots in south-eastern Australia, itisone Restricted to forests andwoodlands streamlined for speed. nectarivorous parrot thatis is asmall,brightly-coloured, The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor ) BIRDS The Critically Endangered Swift Parrot HALTING THEDECLINE OFATASMANIAN MIGRANT are to: Next steps for theSwift Parrot a breeding facility ifrequired. insurance populationandconstruct also assess theneedfor a captive threat from Sugar Gliders, we will for these parrots andminimise the locate themost important habitat to actionsinthefield supporting to over thenext 20 years. Inaddition indicate a 31% likelihood of extinction most recent modellingresults nesting success can befound, the 2016. Unless measures to elevate status to Critically Endangered in to upgrade thespecies’ conservation prompted theAustralian Government nesting success. These findings population declines dueto thepoor National University predicted severe by researchers attheAustralian A recent populationviability analysis sitting oneggs. mortality rates for adultfemales rates of nesting failure andelevated to Tasmania, isresulting inhigh Sugar Glider, whichwas introduced identified thatnest predation by the success. Recent research has WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Chris Tzaros Photograph by ZOOS VICTORIA’S PRIORITYLIST WELCOME THISNEW SPECIES ONTO SOCIAL $880,000 CAPTIVE BREEDING INVESTIGATE THENEEDFOR $160,000 HABITAT IDENTIFY IMPORTANT MAINLAND $40,000 p.a INCREASE NESTING SUCCESS SUPPORT FIELDACTIONS TO BIOLOGICAL $1,255,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $15,000 local threatened species commitment. at ourzoos of andonlineaspart our Establishing theSwift Parrot’s presence reducing predation from Sugar Gliders. implementation of new survey methods. a program ifrequired. thoughmodellingand and initiate

by

33

SPECIES When I sit alone in these ancient forests, dwarfed by giants hundreds of years old, I feel as small as the little brown things we are trying to save. I close my eyes and try to hear the chorus. Nothing. The sound of extinction. We have driven this loss, but it doesn’t have to be this way if we choose…. If we choose to do something. If we choose to work together. If we choose to acknowledge that what seems insignificant to most has a place. If we choose to fight, we will recover what is lost. Deon Gilbert

THREATENED SPECIES OFFICER ZOOS VICTORIA

SOUTHERN CORROBOREE FROG Photograph by Rick Hammond MAMMALS Amphibians tomorrow withouttoadlets? Not onourwatch. Chytrid Fungus. Afuture withoutfrogs? A to the devastating disease posed by Amphibian targeted species-level approach to findanswers Over thenext five years we will focus ona so muchmore to do, anditmust bedonenow. previous endeavours to celebrate, butthere is this Master Plan, we have successes from our than any other vertebrate group. Asdetailed in is facing extinction. They are decliningfaster third of theworld’s 6,200+ amphibianspecies barometers of ecological health. Tragically, one environmental changes, makingthemgreat Amphibians are highlysensitive to SITUATION CRITICAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

35

SPECIES CELEBRATING SUCCESSES AND RECOVERING The Baw Baw Frog AMPHIBIANS

BIOLOGICAL

MAINTAIN THE CAPTIVE INSURANCE POPULATION at Melbourne Zoo. $85,000 p.a

CONDUCT FIELD MONITORING to better inform conservation actions. $290,000

IDENTIFY AN ENVIRONMENTAL REFUGE for reintroducing Baw Baw Frogs to their wild habitat. $110,000

CREATE DISEASE-FREE SAFE HAVENS in wild habitat for re-introduction. YEAR 4 & 5 $100,000 p.a. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS SOCIAL

Photograph by ASSIST THE MT BAW BAW ALPINE Rick Hammond RESORT to run programs with visitors to increase care and knowledge of the Baw Baw Frog and facilitate behaviours that The Baw Baw Frog (Philoria frosti) is ahead with developing a second prevent the spread of chytrid fungus. the only frog endemic to Victoria. It facility to support this species $10,000 p.a is a fascinating species which lays its and spread risk. translucent eggs on a foam nest. An important element of the BUILD ON AND CELEBRATE THE ANNUAL BAW BAW FROG DAY Over the past 25 years, Baw Baw program will be engaging the local (November 18) aiming to measure Frog populations have suffered community and ensuring they are an increase in community care and terrible declines due to the spread of supportive of the reintroduction of knowledge of the species and generate the deadly Amphibian Chytrid Fungus the Baw Baw Frog. Working with key support for the conservation projects and threats by introduced species local stakeholders and creating a $5,000 p.a and climate change. caring and informed local community will ensure that released frogs are As detailed in our first Master Plan, TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS given the best chance to establish Zoos Victoria led urgent conservation themselves. A combination of intervention for the Baw Baw Frog $1,100,000 ongoing engagement strategies and and initiated steps to secure this initiatives as well as one-off events species from extinction. During the will grow awareness and appreciation intervening five years, we set out of the Baw Baw Frog. to crack the code of breeding this cryptic species – and – we have done Capitalising on the achievements of just that. Now armed with a deep the captive recovery program, it is understanding of this species’ biology, now critical that we meet biodiversity Zoos Victoria cares for a genetically targets. By focusing our efforts on robust captive insurance population establishing the species back into that will support the Baw Baw Frog’s the wild, we will once again hear wild recovery. As a result, the program the frogs’ chorus in the Mt Baw is three years ahead of objectives. Baw soundscape. This means we can begin investigating reintroduction techniques and forge Clear next steps are to:

36 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 our The first steps towards improving Burrowing Frog. husbandry knowledge for theGiant Plan andcontribute to developing actions inthelater of part the way. These data willinform critical in athorough andcost-effective techniques to assess remote habitat breaking environmental DNAsurvey rare species. We willutilise ground- inform conservation actions for this long term monitoring programs to collect populationdata andestablish collaborate withstakeholders to Over thenext five years, we will species inVictoria. effectively assess thestatus of this data collection isneededto poorly understood species. Critical remains amongVictoria’s most Frog (Heleioporusaustraliacus) to challengeus. The Giant Burrowing of ourlesser known species continue biodiversity declineinVictoria, some As we develop strategies to halt AMPHIBIANS knowledge FILLING INTHEGAPS Giant Burrowing Frog of this species are

to: streams. Rohan Bilney Photograph by $385,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $15,000 commitment. of ourlocal threatened species at ourzoos andonlineaspart establishing theGBF’s presence ZOOS VICTORIA’S PRIORITYLIST - WELCOME THISNEW SPECIES ONTO SOCIAL $140,000 $70,000 HUSBANDRY PROTOCOLS ESTABLISH GIANTBURROWING FROG $160,000 CONDUCT ON-GROUNDSURVEYS BIOLOGICAL individuals inourcare. key habitat. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

UNDERTAKE eDNASURVEY

and secure of key in

37

SPECIES LEARNING ABOUT The Large Brown Tree Frog AMPHIBIANS ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

Photograph by Michael McFadden

The Large Brown Tree Frog (Litoria BIOLOGICAL

littlejohni) is another of the most DEVELOP A LONG-TERM MONITORING poorly understood amphibian species PROGRAM from recently discovered in Victoria. Until recently, the species populations. had not been observed in our state $180,000 since 1996 with only a handful of observations made at heavily CONDUCT IN-SITU HABITAT disturbed sites. During the course of AUGMENTATION to improve recruitment. the next five years, we will build our $260,000 current knowledge of this species within Victoria and develop in-situ ESTABLISH HUSBANDRY PROTOCOLS habitat management to improve wild FOR THE LARGE BROWN TREE FROG and secure individuals in our care. populations. $80,000 In order to do this, we will: TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS $520,000

38 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 limiting success. where disease andclimate changeis insights for reintroduction sites research may provide valuable to threatening processes. This novel growth anddevelopment inresponse to conduct research into life history Sustainable Development Directorate partners attheACT Environment and Zoos Victoria willwork withour the course of thisMaster Plan, developmental plasticity. During provide uniqueopportunities for thermal tolerance, whichmay Frog, NCFs appear to have ahigher Unlike theSouthern Corroboree wild conditions. decline withnosignof abating under Chytrid fungusisonce againdriving decline across theirhistoric range. experiencing continued population like theirsouthern counterparts, are CorroboreeNorthern Frog (NCFs), of this species by: We therecovery willsupport AMPHIBIANS CorroboreeNorthern Frog RESEARCHING RESISTANCE INTHE Rick Hammond Photograph by $664,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $100,000 GENETICS REVIEWING ANDANALYSING $300,000 from highandlow elevation populations. 264,000 efforts for theNCF. CONTINUING CAPTIVE BREEDING BIOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH ONNCF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

CONDUCTING THERMAL of captive breeding program.

39

SPECIES KEEP THE CHORUS GOING Southern Corroboree Frog AMPHIBIANS

BIOLOGICAL This tiny, brilliantly coloured icon of the Australian Alps, the Southern CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne REFUGE for SCF in Mt Kosciuszko corroboree), is one of Australia’s National Park. most threatened frogs. Once $400,000 common and very much at home in the Snowy Mountains, the threat CONSTRUCTING ADDITIONAL of the deadly Chytrid fungus has DISEASE-FREE FIELD ENCLOSURES created tremendous concern within Mt Kosciuszko National Park. for its future. $200,000

As Chytrid fungus continues to CONTINUING ZOOS VICTORIA’S drive global amphibian extinction, CAPTIVE BREEDING efforts for SCFs. it is critical that we develop $621,000 strategies to ensure the survival of susceptible species in wild habitat. SOCIAL During our first Master Plan, Zoos Victoria helped to secure funding ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND ONLINE that aim to increase community

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS to develop disease-free enclosures care and knowledge of the species and in Mount Kosciuszko National generate support for the conservation Park in NSW where Southern projects Corroboree Frogs (SCFs) can thrive $20,000 under wild conditions free from infection. Under this strategy, SCFs are able to complete all life TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS stages and successfully reproduce demonstrating that, despite $1,241,000 catastrophic population decline, we can fight back. Establishing additional disease-free enclosures is a priority for SCFs under this Plan and will help secure semi-wild populations. Thinking outside of the enclosure, we will also establish SCFs at key marginal sites where habitat can be manipulated to support small populations. These sites are identified to be less suitable for Chytrid and should provide important steps towards species recovery.

We will support the recovery of this species by:

Photograph by Sarah Summers

40 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 angling community. partnerships withthe Victorian been driven through breakthrough for Spotted Tree Frogs. This has healthy environmental refuges provided auniqueposition to create Recent conservation actionshave maintains asmallcaptive population. since andHealesville 1991, Sanctuary program for Spotted Tree Frogs has beeninvolved intherecovery in natural populations. Zoos Victoria native predatory fish causes decline Fungus andtheintroduction of non- declines. The AmphibianChytrid massive andongoingpopulation (Litoria spenceri), hassuffered amphibians, theSpotted Tree Frog One of Victoria’s most charismatic Sarah Summers Photograph by AMPHIBIANS The Spotted Tree Frog BIOLOGICAL ANDCOMMUNITY DRIVENCONSERVATION We willundertake: husbandry andcitizen science. by long-term research, captive actions thatare underpinned stakeholders onkey conservation this, we willwork collaboratively with into its wildenvironment. To achieve develop astrategy for reintroduction wild populationsby 20%. We willalso within Victoria andaimto increase Tree Frog populationsatkey sites will establish andmanageSpotted Victoria, alongwithourpartners, course of thisMaster Plan, Zoos still have away to go. Over the We have come along way, andwe WILDLIFE CONSERVATION reintroduction ortranslocation. $205,000 THE SPOTTED TREEFROG ACOUSTIC RECORDING, TO SECURE TECHNIQUES SUCHAS e USE GROUNDBREAKINGSCIENTIFIC $125,000 AND BOLSTER POPULATIONS ESTABLISH NEW WILDSAFE HAVENS $685,000 KEY MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ANNUAL MONITORING TO SUPPORT BIOLOGICAL $1,666,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $315,000 CREATION OFWILDSAFE HAVENS $10,000 p.a COMMUNITY PROJECTS ASSIST OURALLIES TO RUN SOCIAL $286,000 MAINTAIN CAPTIVE POPULATION waterways. behaviours thatprotect thefrogs and the species andfacilitate individual to increase care for andknowledge of AROUND CRITICAL HABITAT Science Program (NESP). Hub of The NationalEnvironmental partnership withtheThreatened Species industry andbroader community. partnership with recreational fishing via non-native fishmanagement in support recoverysupport objectives.

IN AND DNA AND .

-

through in aiming

to

41

SPECIES SURVEYING VICTORIA FOR The Stuttering Barred Frog AMPHIBIANS ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

Photograph by Damian Goodall

BIOLOGICAL With a call like a Kookaburra’s and distinctive stripes on its arms SURVEY NEWLY IDENTIFIED HABITAT. and legs, the Stuttering Barred $160,000 Frog (Mixophyes balbus) is an extraordinary amphibian. Found CONDUCT eDNA SURVEY OF CURRENT at a range of altitudes, it has only STREAMS been located in Victoria on three $90,000 occasions. Unfortunately, the Stuttering Barred Frog has not been TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS sighted in our state since 1983 and may well already be extinct here. $250,000 Possible reasons for its decline include changes in habitat from logging and grazing, introduced fish species which prey upon its eggs and tadpoles and the devastating Amphibian Chytrid Fungus. We need to find out more about the Stuttering Barred Frog and will work with partners to survey historic and newly identified habitat. Over the five years of this plan, we will also develop environmental DNA techniques to further boost survey output.

In this Plan we will:

42 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Our focus isto: cost-effective way. extinction inamore efficient and objectives to ultimately fight output andallow more progressive equipment failure, boost recovery mitigate riskof loss from disease or Endangered amphibianspecies, robust populationsof ourCritically This genetically willsupport Zoo andHealesville Sanctuary. situ facilities across both Melbourne need to invest significantly inourex- Victoria’s amphibianspecies, we programs. Inorder to future-proof multiple amphibianrecovery amphibian experts whosupport Zoos Victoria employs world class locations. risk by housingthemacross multiple captive populationsandmitigate that we maintain healthy anddiverse wildrecoverysupport we must ensure between survival andextinction. To intervention can make thedifference Victoria’s amphibianspecies, captive continues to threaten many of also know however, thatasdisease threatened amphibianspecies. We leaps for some of Australia’s most partners, we have madesignificant amphibians. With thehelpof program threatened species programs focus on Extinction andaquarter of our about its commitment to Fighting are not immune. Zoos Victoria isclear extinction, andAustralia’s native frogs species are threatened with Over 40%of global amphibian AMPHIBIANS Future-proofing Victoria’s Amphibians and staff support. $1,325,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $85,000 pa. YEARS 2TO 5 $985,000 YEAR 1 PROGRAM - FIGHTING EXTINCTION AMPHIBIAN FUTURE-PROOF ZOOS VICTORIA’S BIOLOGICAL Rick Hammond Photograph by WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Via Healesville infrastructure

43

SPECIES Supporting World Class Chytrid Research AMPHIBIANS

BIOLOGICAL Amphibians are declining faster Master Plan, we provided critical than any other vertebrate. lifelines for species such as the Baw TARGETED CHYTRID MITIGATION Changes to ecosystem function Baw Frog and continued to refine IN FIGHTING EXTINCTION SPECIES. due to climate change and and develop breeding techniques $250,000 p.a habitat destruction, as well as the for others such as Southern and continuing spread of Amphibian Northern Corroborees. Over the INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON Chytrid Fungus are driving this next five years, we will focus on a AMPHIBIAN CHYTRID FUNGUS. catastrophic loss of biodiversity. targeted species-level approach $90,000 Mitigating population-level effects to find answers to this devastating of Chytrid fungus remains one of disease. Zoos Victoria will bring TOTAL OVER FIVE YEARS the most challenging problems for together leading regional and amphibian conservation. Our ability international Chytrid researchers $1,340,000 to re-establish populations of many and provide funding for species- of our Fighting Extinction amphibian specific research of our most critical species is compromised while amphibians. Chytrid remains pervasive in natural habitat. Under Zoos Victoria’s first Critical steps include: ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

Photograph by Rick Hammond

44 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 MAMMALS Reptiles sighted inour state since 1969. party for theGrassland Earless Dragon, not term recovery. We willalso continue thesearch profiles andchannelour efforts into theirlong Skinks. We willfocus onraising theirpublic to have heard of GuthegaandAlpineShe-oak Over thenext five years, we want every Victorian ofbirth aGuthegaSkinkatHealesville Sanctuary. Master Plan,we witnessed thefirst ever captive skink species. Duringthecourse of theprevious threats to andconservation needsof these two deepened ourunderstanding of thebiology, bush fires. We are proud to that report we have left isolated dueto catastrophic events suchas climate changeandskinkpopulationshave been Skinks are already suffering from theeffects of alpine habitats of GuthegaandAlpineShe-oak human-made threats. InVictoria, thedelicate environments, they too are underpressure from While reptiles are incredibly well adapted to their OF CLIMATE CHANGE CONFRONTING THECHALLENGES WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

45

SPECIES WORKING IN-SITU

REPTILES Alpine She-oak Skink

BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL The Alpine She-oak Skink (Cyclodomorphus praealtus) remains WILD MONITORING of known ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND one of Victoria’s most threatened populations. ONLINE that aim to increase community reptiles. Despite the risk of $160,000 care and knowledge of the skink and catastrophic environmental events generate support for the conservation posing an ever-present threat, we SURVEY NEW HABITAT TO projects now have a deeper understanding of BETTER UNDERSTAND VICTORIAN $10,000 the species, with clear conservation DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES, including on the Wellington Plains. actions that will support its TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $220,000 populations into the future. $545,000 Work undertaken previously by ANALYSE ALPINE SHE-OAK SKINK Zoos Victoria, in conjunction with GENETIC SAMPLES to determine the Arthur Rylah Institute has been feasibility of short-distance translocation critical for these alpine dwellers. for genetic rescue. Targeted long-term monitoring $20,000 grids were established allowing us to better understand population ANALYSE DATA TO DETERMINE POPULATION TRENDS.

VICTORIA ZOOS dynamics of Alpine She-oak Skinks. Zoos Victoria aims to further develop $5,000 p.a critical actions by facilitating in-situ DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A genetic rescue of the Alpine She-Oak TRANSLOCATION/RECOVERY Skink and better mitigating the risk STRATEGY. of environmental threats. $110,000

The following critical next steps will enable Zoos Victoria, along with our partners to move forward knowing that we are doing everything we can to prevent the extinction of this species:

Photograph by Andrew Griffiths

46 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Earless Dragon we will: On thesearch for theGrassland rediscovered inour state. cryptic dragon inthe hopethey are captive husbandry protocols for this assist partners intheACT to develop options are exhausted. We willalso search until allpossible survey the significance of continuing a is adistinct species, underscoring Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon Indeed itisquite possible thatthe Victoria’s Western Volcanic Plains. patches of native grassland in Grassland Earless Dragon inremnant We are still hopeful of locating the our state, butwe haven’t given up. species may already be extinct in We holdgrave concerns thatthis pinguicolla) inVictoria was in1969. Earless Dragon (Tympanocryptis confirmed sighting of theGrassland adjoining areas of NSW, the last Despite persisting intheACT and REPTILES Grassland Earless Dragon KEEPING OUREYES PEELED $350,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $10,000 AND ONLINE CREATE ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS SOCIAL $70,000 AT MELBOURNE ZOO. CONSTRUCT BREEDINGFACILITIES $70,000 HUSBANDRY. GRASSLAND EARLESS DRAGON ASSIST PARTNERS TO DEVELOP $40,000 p.a POPULATION. CONDUCT SURVEYS FOR EXTANT BIOLOGICAL conservation projects species andgenerate for support the community care andknowledge of the WILDLIFE CONSERVATION thataimto increase

47

SPECIES GETTING AHEAD OF THE DECLINE

REPTILES Guthega Skink

BIOLOGICAL The Guthega Skink (Liopholis Work undertaken during our first guthega) is Australia’s highest Master Plan led to the first ever WILD MONITORING plus targeted altitude reptile and in Victoria is captive birth of a Guthega Skink, collection of animals for the captive restricted to a few small rocky at Healesville Sanctuary. We will breeding program. outcrops in the Bogong High Plains. now capitalise on this success $270,000 Unfortunately, alpine habitats and focus conservation efforts on experience the full and rapid effect establishing a resilient, genetically DETERMINING THROUGH CAPTIVE of anthropomorphic climate change diverse captive population. While we TRIALS WHETHER ‘GENETIC RESCUE’ IS A VIABLE OPTION to enhance causing reduced habitat and further continue to monitor wild populations, the extremely low genetic diversity isolating specialist alpine species like Zoos Victoria, in collaboration with observed in the Victorian Guthega the Guthega Skink. Recent increased program partners, will also work to Skink population. severity of wildfire and the spread of determine whether genetic rescue $300,000 feral animals such as deer and horse can improve the long-term viability of have only exacerbated stress on Victorian Guthega Skink populations. MAINTAINING THE CAPTIVE Guthega Skink colonies. The newly built Alpine Skink Facility POPULATION. Thanks to groundbreaking at Healesville Sanctuary will help us $466,000 research conducted by La Trobe to answer critical research questions DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS University with assistance from to support wild Guthega Skink PLAN TO BUILD NUMBERS OF SKINKS Zoos Victoria, we now have a populations and integrate in-situ and IN THE WILD detailed understanding of the ex-situ conservation management $110,000 species’ life history, ecology and phylogeography, which has provided Projects that we must undertake SOCIAL us with clear conservation actions to secure the Guthega Skink are: for the next five years. ACTIVATIONS AT OUR ZOOS AND ONLINE that aim to increase community care and knowledge of the skink and generate support for the conservation projects. $10,000

TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $1,156,000

Photograph by Rick Hammond

48 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 MAMMALS Invertebrates STEPPING UPOURSUPPORT more threatened invertebrate species. the Fighting Extinctionprogram to includetwo demonstrate thiscommitment we have expanded But we won’t turn ourback onthem,andto and theseverity of thethreats they are facing. the role invertebrates play inecosystem services its Red List. Zoos Victoria recognises andvalues Conservation of Nature (IUCN)for inclusionon been assessed by theInternational Unionfor threatened withextinction, yet less than1%has in five of the world’s invertebrates islikely to be one of many underserious threat. Indeed,one this species, we are equallyaware thatitisjust While we are determined to see therecovery of insect to its rightful homeonLord Howe Island. significant progress towards returning the stick gone from strength to strength andwe have made looked back. Intheyears since, theprogram has conservation of invertebrates, andwe have not pair signaledthestart of our involvement inthe Tasman Sea, thearrival of theinitialbreeding Plucked from anancient volcanic outcrop inthe Endangered Lord Howe IslandStick Insect. maintained abreeding populationof theCritically Since 2003, Zoos Victoria hassuccessfully from extinction. to helpsave theLord Howe Island Stick Insect specialised, andhave beenharnessed inthepast maintain thismuchloved experience are highly and subtropical butterflies. The skills required to which ishometo hundreds of Australian tropical Melbourne Zoo isfamous for its Butterfly House, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

49

SPECIES A HIDDEN VICTORIAN GEM Golden-rayed Blue Butterfly INVERTEBRATES

BIOLOGICAL Found exclusively in the Wimmera, adult butterflies. Management of this the Golden-rayed Blue (Candalides paperbark to aid the Golden-rayed UNDERTAKE SYSTEMATIC FIELD noelkeri) is the only butterfly Blue has occurred in the past, but on- SURVEYS to better understand this known to be endemic to Victoria. going management will be required. butterfly’s distribution and threats in Its distribution is largely restricted the wild. Opposite we list a range of actions to narrow bands of remnant flood- $35,000 aimed at reducing the risk of plain habitat that border just a extinction for this species. We handful of salt-lakes in the west SUPPORT PROTECTION and restoration will work with partners to gain through management and revegetation. of the state. It appears to be an an improved understanding of ecological specialist, relying on only $120,000 its distribution and ecological one species of host plant known requirements through surveys and INVESTIGATE WILD-TO-WILD commonly as Creeping Boobialla research. We will also help explore TRANSLOCATION to secure populations (Myoporum parvifolium). opportunities and support the and implement, as required. Because of its very restricted restoration or creation of additional $90,000 distribution, identified threats, and habitat through fencing and/or likelihood of on-going population revegetation. Further to this, we will INVESTIGATE THE REQUIREMENTS OF CAPTIVE DISPLAY AND BREEDING FOR decline, it is listed as Critically make use of our expertise to develop REINTRODUCTION.

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Endangered on Victoria’s threatened the husbandry requirements for invertebrate advisory list. captive breeding and improve our $250,000 knowledge of the butterfly’s biology. The most significant threat to CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN This information will assist field this species is habitat loss and AN EXHIBIT FOR THE GOLDEN- conservation actions, including the degradation. The required larval host RAYED BLUE. establishment of new populations plant is restricted to the margins $250,000 in existing or restored habitat. of ephemeral salt-lakes and most Finally, we will display the species of this habitat has been lost over SOCIAL in an innovative exhibit and raise its time through cropping and grazing public profile to enhance awareness WELCOME THIS NEW SPECIES ONTO activities. At the location where this of the need for temperate butterfly ZOOS VICTORIA’S PRIORITY LIST. species was originally found (Lake and invertebrate conservation Establishing the butterfly’s presence at Wyn Wyn Reserve) its habitat is more generally. our zoos and online as part of our local threatened by an invasive paperbark threatened species commitment. species, which displaces the food To kick-start our commitment to $15,000 plant and reduces the extent of open this species we will: sunny microhabitat preferred by the TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $760,000

Photograph by Kate Peace

50 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Michael Kearney Photograph by landscape. Itispossible that the to persist across afragmented which haslikely impaired its ability Matchstick Grasshopper isflightless members of thefamily, theKey’s and weather extremes. Like other on for protection from predators which itdoes not eat, butmay rely perennial grass Themeda australis, in habitat dominated by thetall The species isgenerally found the ACT. of locations insouthern NSW and currently onlyknown for ahand-full reported inVictoria for decades. Itis Sadly, thespecies hasnot been original habitat remains. in thecountry andalmost no the most heavily modified regions and grazing beltwhichisoneof these habitats fall withinthewheat south-eastern Australia. However, and grassy woodlands across inland common inthenative grassland elongated bodyshape, was once (Keyacris scurra) withits distinctive Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper INVERTEBRATES RE-ESTABLISHING THEGRASSHOPPER INVICTORIA Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper Our planisto: species inthewild. securing along-term future for this and re-introduction, withtheaimof refine methods for captive breeding to investigate habitat needsand Master Planwe research willsupport of animalsfor release. Underthis captive breeding to provide asource or restoration andalso benefit from require habitat management and/ Any re-introductions are likely to grasshopper into orwithinVictoria. for potential translocations of the insights, thiswork willinform options extinct populations. Amongother characteristics of remaining and discover more about thegenetic University of Melbourneaimsto Current work by researchers atthe patches withinVictoria. or suitable butunoccupied habitat to identify any remnant populations surveys andcitizen science projects this Master Planwillbesystematic so thefirst activities supported by species may still occur inVictoria, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION INVERTEBRATE INVESTIGATORS: $395,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $30,000 p.a. YEAR 4-5 $40,000 YEAR 3 ZOOS VICTORIA’S PRIORITYLIST. WELCOME THISNEW SPECIES ONTO SOCIAL $130,000 RE-INTRODUCTION, AS REQUIRED. BREEDING FOR PUBLICDISPLAY AND INITIATE ANDMAINTAIN CAPTIVE $90,000 RESTORATION ANDRE-INTRODUCTION PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HABITAT $60,000 UNDERTAKE FIELDSURVEYS BIOLOGICAL unobserved inVictoria for 40years. Matchstick Grasshopper, aspecies a community-led search for Key’s $15,000 threatened species commitment. at ourzoos of andonlineaspart ourlocal Establishing thegrasshopper’s presence populations. identify any remaining Victorian

CITIZEN SCIENCE –CREATING to to

51

SPECIES It is estimated that 97% of life on Earth is invertebrate, and of those around 80% are insects. Insects provide esstential ecosystem services but are often overlooked. What a priviledge it is to work for an organisation that is dedicated to insect conservation. Zoos Victoria is committed to increasing the profile of this amazing group of animals and we have proven success in breeding threatened species. The next major challenge for the charismatic Lord Howe Island Stick Insect is returning them to their paradise home.

Kate Pearce

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS INVERTEBRATE KEEPER MELBOURNE ZOO

ANIMAL NAME Photograph by LORD HOWE ISLAND STICK INSECT Photograph by Rick Hammond

52 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 wild whentheopportunity arises. be available for release to the extinction andthatanimalswill ensuring thatthespecies evades insurance populationiscritical to its fifteenth generation. This Zoo since 2003, andisnow in been maintained atMelbourne determination, apopulationhas and agreat deal of patience and skills of ourinvertebrate keepers, Thanks to thehighlyspecialised reversed thespecies’ fate. dramatic intervention hasultimately and care for thisspecies. This one Melbourne Zoo to learn how to breed returned withtwo breeding pairs for outcrops of Ball’s Pyramid and team climbedthesteep androcky Howe IslandStick Insect, arescue Upon therediscovery of theLord to recovery inthewild. growing optimism thatitisontrack rarest insects. However, there is is still regarded asoneof theworld’s extinct for almost halfacentury, it rediscovery, andhope. Considered (Dryococelus australis ) isoneof loss, Lord Howe IslandStick Insect The remarkable story of the INVERTEBRATES RETURNING THESPECIES TO THEWILD Lord Howe IslandStick Insect as follows: Project details andcosts are belongs. long-term future inthe wildwhere it remarkable species andsecure its therecoverysupport effort for this actions identified below allaim to commence afew years later. The Island Stick Insect could potentially reintroduction of theLord Howe If thateradication issuccessful, rodents isset to start in2019. to eradicate theIsland’s introduced may soon beapproaching. Aprogram this program andthisopportunity Howe Islandistheultimate aimof Returning thespecies back to Lord collection trips remain ahighpriority. collected. Consequently, further found, withonlyasingleindividual survey, very few stick insects were Pyramid. Despite acomprehensive to secure new founders from Ball’s 2017, anexpedition was undertaken reproductive performance. So in to becontributing to declines in captive population,whichappears declining genetic variability inthis A key challengeisthelow and WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Howe Island,asrequired. to thewild. support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of theinsect andgenerate aim to increase community care and on Blackburn Island. Melbourne Zoo. Ball’s Pyramid. if appropriate, collect new founders from $250,000 POPULATION EXPAND THEMELBOURNE ZOO $100,000 SURVEY THEWILDPOPULATION $500,000 INSURANCE POPULATION MAINTAIN EXISTING CAPTIVE BIOLOGICAL $1,150,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $30,000 SUPPORT ON LHIANDPROMOTE COMMUNITY SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT $20,000 AND ONLORD HOWE ISLAND ACTIVATIONS AT OURZOOS, ONLINE SOCIAL $70,000 SUPPORT FOR RE-INTRODUCTION $60,000 ESTABLISH ASECOND $120,000 to Lord Howe Island. planning. captive management andre-introduction

GENETIC RESEARCH for re-introduction onLord to re-introductions support wildpopulation to guide at that

and,

53

SPECIES HELMETED HONEYEATER Photograph by Sarah Summers ZOOS VICTORIA CHAIR OFTHEBOARD Kate Vinot endangered Victorian species to thrive. specialist interventions to helpthemost Our skillsandresources enable and to impactful behaviour change. understanding thatleads to actions experiences facilitate connections and enjoyed andvalued. Ournature-based they flourish,andwhere they can be beautiful parks andgardens inwhich diversity of Victoria, aswell asthe to preserving andenhancingtheanimal parks andgardens, we are committed As custodians of Victoria’s zoological and beautiful places. Victoria isblessed withuniquewildlife WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 55

LOCAL CONSERVATION Watch List Species

Alongside our Fighting The concept of the Watch List was introduced during the term of the Extinction Species is a suite previous Master Plan and is now formalised within this document. of Victorian wildlife about Keeping our finger on the pulse, some species contained in the initial Watch List (such as the Plains- which we do not have enough wanderer, Giant Burrowing Frog and Swift Parrot) have been elevated to information to reliably priority status based on recent data determine conservation status. from the wild. While each of the Fighting Extinction Or, these species have been Species has some targeted intervention planned over the life assessed as not yet requiring of this Master Plan, the Watch List Species will receive funding zoo-based conservation and investment incidentally or

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS opportunistically. Where third parties are interested in undertaking intervention, but may if current some investigation either in-situ, through genetic or threat analyses, trends continue. These are Zoos Zoos Victoria will consider granting support. Zoos Victoria is also open Victoria’s Watch List Species. to possibilities of displaying, raising awareness and developing husbandry protocols for Watch List Species. Should investigation indicate a need for urgent or critical intervention, we will not hesitate to elevate the species on the Watch List to Fighting Extinction status and will invest in a targeted fashion. The species on the Watch List are considered at risk, but potentially not in as grave or imminent danger as those prioritised on the Fighting Extinction Species list.

They are as follows:

56 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 (Uperoleia martini) Martin’s Toadlet frog’s abundance inVictoria. assist partners to investigate this high country. DuringthisPlanwe will is allbutgonefrom theVictorian Chytrid Fungus, theAlpineTree Frog Highly susceptible to Amphibian ( Alpine Tree Frog populations. and strengthen theremaining with partners to monitor, protect the coming 20 years. We willwork a 47% probability of extinction over populations. Modellinghasestimated introgression continue to threaten its fragmentation, bushfire andgenetic South Australia andNSW. Habitat mallee near theborder of Victoria, small numberof localities withintact This bird species isrestricted to a (Manorina melanotis) Black-eared Miner requirements. biology, ecology or management increase knowledge of thespecies’ 2002. We willassist ourpartners to infrequently encountered since considered rare andhasbeen Desert, theMasters’ Snake is Once abundant inVictoria’s Big (Drysdalia mastersii) Masters’ Snake and ecology inVictoria. understanding of thespecies’ status with partners to get abetter the coming years, we willwork ground dwelling frog. Over Little isknown aboutthisstriking Litoria verreauxii alpina)

Eastern Quoll declining trend. Viability Analyses predicts a investigation. Arecent Population survival, andthisrequires further breeding success andadultfemale data have raised concerns about subspecies. Flockcomposition has ledto past declines for this nesting habitat for agriculture fragmentation of foraging and east South Australia, theloss and south-western Victoria andsouth- Confined to a restricted area of (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) Cockatoo Red-tailed Black susceptible to climate change. Itis The species andits habitat are highly predation from foxes and feral cats. populations, includingbushfire and threats are thought to beimpacting Victorian sites since 1990. Several Rat hasdisappeared from 53% of indicate thattheBroad-toothed eastern Australia, recent surveys dense ground cover across south- Typically found inwet habitats with (Mastacomys fuscus) Broad-toothed Rat and NSW. are beingundertaken intheACT Re-introductions to themainland of various threats are quantified. population trends andtheimpact of Tasmanian Devils). Itiscritical that tied to reductions intheabundance increase inferal cats (which isinturn decade andare possibly related to an reported inTasmania over thepast Quoll. Serious declines have been the last refuge for theEastern the 1960s, Tasmania hasprovided Extinct onmainlandAustralia since (Dasyurus viverrinus) WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Watch List. third parties to conserve species onthe invest ininitiatives beingundertaken by each year so thatwe can modestly is to have apoolof fundingavailable historical andcurrent range. grasslands withinthespecies’ dominated native temperate degradation of Wallaby Grass- threat isdramatic loss andongoing west of Melbourne. The primary the grasslands to and thenorth sized, day-flying moth found in The GoldenSun Moth isamedium- (Synemon plana) Golden Sun Moth warrants investigation. further relationships amongpopulations other States andTerritories, and distinct species to those found in possible thatVictoria a supports $200,000 p.a WATCH LIST SPECIES -ourapproach

57

LOCAL CONSERVATION Patches of land are the unit where conservation takes effect, and where species survive or are lost. Our work to recover threatened species in the wild has far-reaching benefits for land management. We aim to inspire people about wildlife in the hope that this will lead to greater caring for and connection to country. Dr Dan Harley

THREATENED SPECIES BIOLOGIST ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

MOUNTAIN PYGMY-POSSUM Photograph by Gemma Ortlip

58 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 in wildpopulations. To thisend, health of andinvestigate disease build ourcapacity to monitor the Beyond ourhospitals, we will of survival inthewild. our care, maximisingtheirchances applies to thethreatened species in care are inpeak condition. This also all animalswithinZoos Victoria’s veterinary hospitals to ensure that provide greater to support ourthree investment inwildlife health will not onlyhealthy, butcan thrive. Our environments inwhichanimalsare conservation, we seek to provide our compassionate approach to are paramount. Fundamental to animals inZoos Victoria’s care The health andwell-being of the Cormac Hanrahan Photograph by Wildlife Health Wildlife Species. management of Fighting Extinction to assist decisionsregarding the undertaking of disease riskanalyses veterinary departments to lead the important investment willenableour translocation operations. This success of captive release and risks posed by pathogens to the of this, we willfocus onquantifying Species. Asanessential component impact ourFighting Extinction investigations of health issues that be supported incontinuing their networks of health specialists -will collaboration withtheirexternal our veterinary departments -in WILDLIFE CONSERVATION Health projects will include: $950,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $50,000 p.a ANALYSES UNDERTAKING DISEASE RISK $140,000 p.a HEALTH MONITORING FIGHTING EXTINCTION SPECIES BIOLOGICAL kidney disease inMPPs andLBPs. wild andcaptive microbiome analyses and pathology andhealth studies, suchas for nominated species. to focus on

59

LOCAL CONSERVATION HABITAT RESTORATION Building neighbourhoods for Victoria’s Faunal Emblems

BIOLOGICAL A lack of high quality habitat remains Reserve that adjoins Healesville the key factor restricting populations Sanctuary is also one of the priority YELLINGBO NATURE CONSERVATION of Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum and areas, together with neighbouring RESERVE – habitat protection and Helmeted Honeyeater at Yellingbo properties in the valley of the restoration. and beyond. Both populations Yarra River managed by Traditional $750,000 are currently confined to a single Owners and private landholders. locality, and there is an urgent Habitat provision is an essential HAINING FARM AND SURROUNDS – need to establish new populations. foundation for successful recovery habitat restoration. Following extensive habitat modelling of the Helmeted Honeyeater and $440,000 and ground-truthing, several Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum. YARRA VALLEY – habitat restoration. priority areas have been identified These habitat restoration projects for habitat restoration. Providing build on the long-standing work $470,000 consolidated areas of high quality of several partners, including the CORANDERRK BUSHLAND RESERVE– habitat capable of supporting Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, habitat restoration. strong Helmeted Honeyeater and Greening Australia and Port Phillip $240,000 p.a Lowland Leadbeater’s Possum and Westernport Catchment ‘neighbourhoods’ is key – town Management Authority. There will be CORANDERRK TO YARRA – habitat planning 101. opportunities for the public to visit restoration. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS these sites and participate in the on- Since 2013, more than 750,000 $65,000 p.a ground works. seedlings have been planted – but HABITAT RESTORATION ON PRIVATE there remains much to do. Since To provide habitat over the LAND. 2015, wild Helmeted Honeyeaters course of this Master Plan, have started foraging and nesting $120,000 p.a we will focus on: in some of the revegetation at Yellingbo. The Coranderrk Bushland TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $3,785,000

60 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Photograph by Tim Bawden LEADBEATER’S POSSUM

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 61

LOCAL CONSERVATION CONNECTING THE DOTS Expanding our threatened species alliances

BIOLOGICAL

APPOINTING AN ADMINISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE PROJECT OFFICER to oversee the transition to Open Standards for conservation planning projects at Zoos Victoria. $425,000

TRANSITIONING TO HEALTHY COUNTRY/OPEN STANDARDS for conservation planning projects at Zoos Victoria. $120,000

A BIENNIAL FORUM on predators and rewilding for practitioners and researchers. $40,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS SOCIAL

EMPLOYING A CITIZEN SCIENCE & OUTREACH COORDINATOR to support our Fighting Extinction Species and conservation outcomes. $500,000 Photograph by EXPANDING OUR REACH AND IMPACT Rick Hammond through engaging and supporting private land conservation networks in the conservation protection of Victoria’s Humans can influence tha state threatened species. working across areas such as (but of the planet more than any other not restricted to) government policy, $60,000 species. Despite our capability to business, education, philanthropy, inflict harm, people are also the media and agriculture we can TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS key to wildlife conservation. We give ourselves the best chance also know that people who work of effectively pursuing solutions $1,145,000 together achieve better results and, to problems facing species under quite simply, Zoos Victoria could not threat and of staying ahead of the do any of the work it does without game to prevent other species from our partners. To this end we are getting there. Within the community, transitioning to the Open Standards, our citizen science initiatives will an increasingly universal system to spark individual fascination with the enhance planning, implementation natural world and contribute to the and monitoring and ultimately adapt societal scale of change necessary in and improve our efforts. the fight against extinction. We are With this in mind, we have made it weaving a web of allies and the tie a priority to extend our network. that binds us is the one we all rely Throughout the course of this Master on – a diverse, resilient and healthy Plan we will work strategically to environment. nurture existing relationships and to seek out new ones beyond the Projects to build our alliances ‘traditional’ conservation sector. By include:

62 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Extinction, we will: communities around Fighting To engagewithVictorian Aboriginal conserving threatened species. to helpinform our approach to people withtheirlocal understanding we willseek guidance from Aboriginal Working withIndigenouscommunities, knowledge of the Australian landscape. are unparalleled intheirhistoric living cultures, IndigenousAustralians planet Earth’s oldest continuous understand thenatural world. As investigative methods to better Islander peoples have beenemploying shores, AboriginalandTorres Strait before Europeans came to these For tens of thousands of years Aboriginal communities Engaging withVictorian Indigenous communities. management inpartnership with $380,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $340,000 KNOWLEDGE IN UNDERSTANDING OFABORIGINAL SUPPORT THEDEVELOPMENT AND $40,000 INITIATE CONVERSATIONS SOCIAL VICTORIAN ABORIGINAL GROUPS conservation. communities around threatened species help guideourengagement withtheir WILDLIFE CONSERVATION threatened species

WITH

to

Cormac Hanrahan Photograph by 63

LOCAL CONSERVATION International conservation As human populations increase, wildlife and wild places across the globe are increasingly under threat. We are global citizens, and Zoos Victoria recognises our responsibility to extend our conservation efforts and help build capacity and capability beyond Australia’s borders. As such, we have supported holistic wildlife conservation in other countries since 1992. Over the subsequent years, our conservation efforts abroad have expanded and our strategy has evolved. We now focus on deeper engagement to secure measureable benefits for both people and wildlife around the world.

Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Through the Tier 1 partnerships Further to these are three new Tier Tier 3 of Zoos Victoria’s international outlined in the following pages, we 2 partnerships in our priority regions conservation strategy is our grants will continue our engagement in of Oceania, South-east Asia and program. From small Alligator Papua New Guinea, The Philippines Sub-Saharan Africa. Underpinning Lizards in Guatemala to Lemurs in and Uganda; strengthening our their selection was an evaluation Madagascar and Snow Leopards in commitment to protecting Matschie’s against our international program Pakistan and Nepal, our grants have Tree-kangaroos, Philippine Crocodiles criteria and assessment of their enhanced measurable outcomes and Southern White Rhinos as corresponding presence within Zoos for people and threatened wildlife INTL CONSERVATION flagship species with our respective Victoria’s animal population. We since 2013. partners. Signaling a new approach have also opted to support these and building on the world-leading projects because they seek to both To support the overall deepened collaboration with Port Moresby mitigate key threats and deliver international conservation approach, Nature Park, each field conservation social outcomes. Through the Tier we will: partnership will be aligned with 2 partnerships, we are proud to a sister zoo or other reputable support our partners in Vietnam in Engage an International Conservation conservation organisation. These their efforts to conserve Northern Project Officer. will act as platforms for telling our White-cheeked Gibbons in their $400,000 conservation partners’ stories in- last stronghold. In Rwanda, we will country and enhance engagement partner with the Dian Fossey Gorilla TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS with governments. Increasing Fund to support Eastern Gorillas and our sister zoo relationships will the people living close to them. And $400,000 also allow for improved animal in our region of the Pacific, we will welfare outcomes, building further work with the Ornithological Society on our commitment to this of Polynesia to recover up to ten important objective. This approach species of threatened birds on the enables Zoos Victoria to build the Marquesas Archipelago. capacity of sister zoos and support their growth towards being zoo- based conservation organisations.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 65 International conservation ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

MARQUESAS ISLANDS

SOCIETE´ D’ORNITHOLOGIE DE POLYNESIE-MANU Pacific Island birds

66 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 THE PHILIPPINES

VIETNAM MABUWAYA FOUNDATION & FAUNA AND FLORA MANILA ZOO INTERNATIONAL Philippine Crocodile Northern White-cheeked Gibbon & Asian Elephant

TIER 1 PAPUA NEW GUINEA

TREE

KANGAROO INTL CONSERVATION TIER CONSERVATION 1 PROGRAM & UGANDA TIER PORT MORESBY 1 NATURE PARK RHINO FUND UGANDA Matschie’s & UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE Tree Kangaroo Southern White Rhino

RWANDA

THE DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND Mountain Gorillas

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 67 Oceania CONSERVATION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA’S NORTHERN NEIGHBOUR

BIOLOGICAL Papua New Guinea’s rugged and in onsite water consumption and remote Huon Peninsula is the electricity use. Since our partnership ENABLE TKCP COMMUNITY only place on earth where wild began, student attendance in the LIVELIHOODS PROGRAM MANAGER Matschie’s Tree-kangaroos Park’s education program has grown to manage the YUS Conservation (Dendrolagus matschei) are found. by more than 850%. Coffee program. An Endangered species, the tree- $150,000 Developing campaigns that engage kangaroo has suffered a marked the Port Moresby community in decline from hunting and habitat COFFEE PROGRAM IN-FIELD SUPPORT. behaviour change to alleviate key loss, with the total wild population $35,000 threats to wildlife is a key objective now comprising just over 2,000 for Port Moresby Nature Park. It also ENHANCE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND individuals. The Huon Peninsula is prioritises capacity building among WELFARE OUTCOMES for Life Sciences also home to the 720km2 protected its staff to manage research and staff at Port Moresby Nature Park. YUS Conservation Area and the Tree conservation projects. Zoos Victoria Kangaroo Conservation Program $40,000 is committed to supporting such - one of only two holistic community- projects for PNG frogs, many of which ESTABLISH STAFF SKILLS AT based conservation programs in are potentially at risk from Amphibian PORT MORESBY NATURE PARK TO the country. Chytrid Fungus. Establishing FUTURE-PROOF PNG FROGS against Amphibian Chytrid Fungus.

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Zoos Victoria is proud to support the preventative mechanisms before the Program’s YUS Conservation Coffee, disease arrives in the Pacific nation $50,000 a product that generates measurable has been identified as a priority by INCREASE CAPACITY AND SKILLS benefits for both wildlife and people. the IUCN Amphibian Survival Alliance, of other Park Department staff to Upon joining the Coffee Program, and Zoos Victoria is proud to support sustain Nature Park growth. this work. villagers pledge land to the YUS $13,000 Conservation Area, increasing wildlife

and habitat protection. In turn, SOCIAL local people gain increased access “We have always sold 50kg to healthcare and education. More bags of parchment coffee STRENGTHEN EDUCATION AND than 600 families participate in the INTERPRETATION STAFF CAPACITY Coffee Program and are enthusiastic for PNG Kina 30-50 at the at Port Moresby Nature Park. members of the officially-registered local market. It takes many $15,000 Coffee Cooperative. Matschie’s Tree- bags to mobilise enough kangaroo, Dwarf Cassowary, Forest DEVELOP CAMPAIGNS TO ENGAGE funds for our children’s THE PORT MORESBY COMMUNITY in Wallaby and many other species in environment and wildlife protection. the area are on the rise. Since 2009, school fees and many Zoos Victoria has engaged Jasper parents had given up. Now, $30,000 Coffee to import, roast and sell YUS with TKCP’s livelihoods Conservation Coffee in Australia. program we receive about TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Over ten tonnes of the product have been imported and more than 140kg PNG Kina 300 per bag and $333,000 sold in our retail shops. we can send our kids to high In Papua New Guinea’s capital, Zoos school (and even college).” Victoria’s partnership with Port Dono Ogate Moresby Nature Park has proven to be a very successful sister zoo Sapmanga Village relationship. More than 30 staff at Tree Kangaroo Conservation both organisations have participated Program Conservation Officer in training, skill share and project development and the staff Green Next, our support will: Team (the first of any business in PNG) is driving a 30% reduction

68 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 of sustainable alternative income techniques andthedevelopment the removal of cats viaarange of threatened birds. These plansinclude and have catalytic benefits to other will beextended to other species for three species of Monarchs, which SOP isimplementing actionplans With Zoos Victoria’s support,MANU- and 350 individualsrespectively. gambieri) totaling asfew as40, 180 Marquesas Kingfisher(Todiramphus (Aleopecoenas erythropterus) and whitneyi) Polynesian Ground-dove the Fatu Hiva Monarch (Pomarea estimates of wildnumbers for reduced populations, withlatest focus species have drastically of threatened birds. Allof the and protection of up to 10species for bird) to therecovery support (MANU SOP –“Manu”isTahitian d’Ornithologie dePolynesie-Manu withtheSociete´will partner the Oceana region, Zoos Victoria ofAs part ourcommitment to single islands. Almost allof these are endemicto or Endangered by theIUCN. listed asCritically Endangered 13 species of Marquesan birds are species suchascats andrats, and has beendevastated by introduced of of thispart French Polynesia volcanic origin.The flora and fauna comprises 15islandsmostly of Lying north-west of Tahiti, thegroup of themost remote intheworld. The Marquesas Islandsare some POLYNESIAN BIRDS RECOVERING THREATENED Oceania Thomas Ghestemme Photograph by Islands are to: engagement ontheMarquesas on-ground actionandcommunity Pacific Islandbirds through Projects recovering thatsupport Healesville Sanctuary. a range of analoguebird species at engagement activities based around the Marquesas Islandsthrough with amazingrecovery efforts on We aimto inspire ourvisitors with local community groups. associations have been established local government, andstrong the IUCNandFrench Polynesia extended programs are endorsed by The actionplans and MANU-SOP’s ventures. and improving appropriate tourism growing endemicSandalwood trees as bee-keeping for honey production, benefit from skillsandactivities such success of thisinitiative andwill islands are integral to thelong-term communities ontherespective streams for villagers. Local WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

other wildlife. and rats) onPolynesian birds and ALTERNATIVE INCOME PROJECTS. EXPAND MANU-SOP’S SUSTAINABLE $30,000 EQUIPMENT PROVIDE IN-KINDMATERIALS AND $125,000 INTRODUCED PREDATORS REDUCE THEIMPACTS OF $20,000 AGREEMENT WITHMANU-SOP. DEFINE ANDDEVELOP PARTNERSHIP $295,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $65,000 PROGRAMS/EDUCATION. STRENGTHEN MANU-SOP COMMUNITY $55,000 outcomes. SOCIAL BIOLOGICAL to increase conservation

(cats

69

INTL CONSERVATION South-east Asia SECURING A FUTURE FOR THE WORLD’S MOST THREATENED CROCODILE

BIOLOGICAL Having worked together since 2000, the Philippine Crocodile Conservation the Mabuwaya Foundation Inc. is Centre, which will enable breeding of SUPPORT PHILIPPINE CROCODILE Zoo’s Victoria’s longest standing crocodiles for wild release. Boosting SURVEYS AND PROTECTION. international conservation partner. the wild population and equipping it $120,000 Operating in Isabela Province in to cope with stochastic events, such northern Philippines, the Foundation as severe typhoons, is essential for INCREASE MABUWAYA FOUNDATION is primarily focused on conserving sustaining this freshwater species STAFF CAPACITY AND SKILLS to the Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus into the future. manage the Philippine Crocodile mindorensis) - recognised as the Conservation Centre. The Philippines is ranked in the top most threatened species of crocodile $30,000 five countries globally for numbers of in the world. The Foundation’s threatened endemic species, yet most ESTABLISH ZOOS VICTORIA - MANILA conservation program in the Filipinos have very little knowledge ZOO RELATIONSHIP AND SUPPORT Northern Sierra Madre Natural of their native flora and fauna. FRAMEWORK. Park is key to the wild survival of Zoos Victoria believes that Manila $30,000 this Critically Endangered species. Zoo, a small city zoo located at the Threatened by habitat destruction heart of the sprawling metropolis of IMPROVE ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND and practices such as dynamite the Filipino capital, has significant WELFARE AT MANILA ZOO. fishing, the Philippine Crocodile was

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS potential as a centre for conservation $50,000 confirmed in the area in 2000. Since education to help address this. Like then, its numbers increased from just so many other zoos in the Philippines, SOCIAL 20 individuals to over 100 in 2017. Manila Zoo has not received SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Zoos Victoria’s partnership with sufficient resourcing and guidance and ISU student projects to strengthen the Mabuwaya Foundation has to enable it to provide quality animal outcomes for wildlife in San Mariano been critical for its growth and care and contribute to supporting Municipality. development. Among its suite of wildlife conservation. By establishing $35,000 initiatives is a community awareness a sister zoo relationship, Zoos program that engages villagers in the Victoria will work with Manila City’s DEVELOP AND SUPPORT protection of dedicated crocodile and Public Recreation Bureau and other IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSERVATION fish sanctuaries. This has not only stakeholders to develop a framework EDUCATION AT MANILA ZOO. expanded local people’s food options, that will most effectively improve $40,000 but supported the monitoring and animal welfare and conservation protection of crocodile numbers. The education outcomes at Manila Zoo. TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS program also engages community members in joint research and survey To support our partner to $305,000 projects with Isabela State University conserve the Philippine Crocodile and has founded a very successful and improve animal welfare and annual Crocodile Festival Day. management outcomes at Manila “Zoos Victoria’s Another vitally important initiative is Zoo, we will: commitment and faith in us has been so valuable to Mabuwaya as we have grown and worked to secure a future for the Philippine Crocodile in San Mariano” Marites Balbas

Chief Operating Officer Mabuwaya Foundation Photograph by Rick Hammond

70 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 within PuMat, Zoos Victoria will identified AsianElephant group cheeked Gibbonsandprotect an In order to secure White- Northern for thisspecies. the Park isalso immensely important Elephants inVietnam, FFI’s work in conservation projects for Asian individuals. With noprotection and stronghold –hometo about500 Mat hasbecome thespecies’ last cheeked Gibbonto about1,000, Pu population of White- Northern With hunting having reduced the Pu Mat NationalPark. gibbons inVietnam’s 90,000ha work protecting elephants and theiressential(FFI) andsupport with Flora andFauna International develop aconservation partnership outcomes. Assuch,Zoos Victoria will is neededto achieve sustained species, effective on-ground support has endorsed protection for both While theVietnamese Government populations of both are decreasing. and Endangered respectively and are listed asCritically Endangered Asian Elephant (Elephasmaximus) Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) and White-cheekedThe Northern native to theforests of Vietnam. two awe-inspiring species thatare Included ontheIUCN’s Red List are ELEPHANTS INVIETNAM SUPPORTING GIBBONS AND South-east Asia Park, Vietnam are to: Elephant inPuMatNational White-cheeked GibbonandAsian based Projects community- thatsupport Rescue Centre intheNationalPark. animal welfare atthePuMatWildlife and communities andto enhance reach andinfluence withgovernment stakeholders to extend Zoos Victoria’s We willwork together withthese and Education for Nature Vietnam. Vietnam’s Wildlife, AnimalsAsia other organisations, includingSave to extend ourengagement with provides additional opportunities with FFIinPuMatNationalPark and Wellington Zoos. Partnering for thisspecies from Taronga, Perth Gibbon, buildingonexisting efforts for White-cheeked theNorthern strengthen regional zoo support Zoos Victoria’s participation will projects for local people. establishing sustainable alternative mitigate human-elephant conflict by and collect data andwork to training for villagers to track wildlife poachers. FFIwillalso provide to government rangers to apprehend the park andtheprovision of support include the removal of snares from of various interventions. These FFIintheexpansionsupport WILDLIFE CONSERVATION conservation

of

the Northern $20,000 National Park. captive wildanimalsinPuMat increasedSupport welfare for $37,000 gibbons andelephants. etc.) to strengthen protection of Provide (materials, in-kindsupport $100,000 mitigation. human-elephant conflictSupport $18,000 Agreement withFFI. Define anddevelop aPartnership $309,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $49,000 and engagement. Strengthen community programs $85,000 Conservation Teams. FFI-Vietnam’sSupport Community BIOLOGICAL SOCIAL 71

INTL CONSERVATION Sub-Saharan Africa RHINO FUND UGANDA AND UGANDA WILDLIFE EDUCATION CENTRE

BIOLOGICAL The goal of Rhino Fund Uganda is Uganda’s premier zoo, located on to re-establish the Southern White the shores of Lake Victoria. It was SUPPORTING RFU RANGER PATROLS Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) in established as Entebbe Zoo in 1952 and monitoring. the wild in Uganda. Civil conflict and is managed by the UWEC Trust. $175,000 caused the loss of White Rhinos from There is strong interest in extending Uganda in 1983, and elsewhere it its well-developed education program IN-KIND SUPPORT FOR RFU RANGERS. has since been heavily impacted by to enhance education outcomes $25,000 poaching for its horn. Rhino Fund at RFU. Zoos Victoria will work Uganda (RFU) was established in with UWEC, its governing trust and SISTER ZOO: Establishing Zoos Victoria 1997 and manages the 7,000ha Ziwa other stakeholders (including RFU) - UWEC relationship and support framework. Rhino Sanctuary in the centre of to investigate organisational and/ the country. The founding group of or management needs at UWEC $15,000 six rhinos has grown to 24, with the and identify how Zoos Victoria can ENHANCING ANIMAL MANAGEMENT family groups monitored around the most effectively address them. AND WELFARE through UWEC Life clock by trained rangers. This may include sharing our Sciences staff training/support, Connect-Understand-Act model and Zoos Victoria’s partnership with RFU extending to other African zoos as expertise to strengthen community opportunities arise. is focused on supporting the ranger engagement, and actions to the $50,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS patrols in the Sanctuary, monitoring benefit of Uganda’s wildlife more the rhinos, responding to reports of broadly; particularly recognising that hunters in the area and improving SOCIAL UWEC has a mandate for supporting accommodation. We also provide zoos and education across Uganda STRENGTHENING EDUCATION in-kind assistance such as night and neighbouring countries. DELIVERY AND OUTCOMES at the vision equipment to enhance evening Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and adjacent patrols and pouches to carry first communities. Projects to build sustainable aid packs, and support the education community-based conservation $25,000 program through advice, training and of Southern White Rhinos materials. DEVELOPING UWEC EDUCATION in Uganda and enhance SUPPORT WITH RFU AND A major factor in Zoos Victoria’s conservation at Uganda Wildlife COMMUNITIES. decision to partner with RFU is Education Centre include: $45,000 their active engagement with the surrounding communities. RFU has STRENGTHENING UWEC COMMUNITY effective agreements with famers ENGAGEMENT through campaign that benefit the cattle, the farmers initiatives. and RFU, as the farmers act as $45,000 additional protection by warning RFU

about poachers and hunters in the TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS area. Rangers’ families are supported through the Hakuna Matata Primary $380,000 School in the Sanctuary, which is also benefiting children from the surrounding communities. Rhino Fund Uganda is also assisting village communities on each side of a large swamp on the boundary of the Sanctuary through the removal of water weed that grows across stretches of open water and prevents transport over the swamp. The Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe is

72 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 SOUTHERN WHITE RHINOCEROS INTL CONSERVATION

To travel to Uganda and experience firsthand the absolute commitment of the Rhino Fund team to the animals they are working to protect and the strength of their relationships with the surrounding communities is simply awesome. I feel so proud that Zoos Victoria supports this vital conservation work. Chris Banks

CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER ZOOS VICTORIA Sub-Saharan Africa: SUSTAINING PROTECTION FOR EASTERN GORILLAS IN RWANDA

BIOLOGICAL Humans and gorillas share 98% Important among The Dian of the same DNA. But sadly, it is Fossey Gorilla Fund’s efforts is the DEFINE AND DEVELOP A mainly human-created threats that development of projects that provide PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT with are driving this great African ape sustainable alternatives to hunting Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. towards extinction. wildlife and extracting timber from $17,000 the forests. These projects, such as Split into two subspecies, the the allocation of land and training in SUPPORT DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA Eastern Gorilla is listed as Critically sustainable farming, have proven to FUND FIELD PATROLS and mitigate Endangered. The Grauer’s Gorilla be directly beneficial to gorillas and threats to gorillas. (Gorilla beringei graueri) of the already resulted in a 70% reduction $180,000 Democratic Republic of Congo in snares within the project area. numbers about 4,000 individuals PROVIDE IN-KIND SUPPORT (materials, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has and declining, while the Mountain etc.) to strengthen social and biological achieved outstanding success for Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) outcomes. Mountain Gorillas and Zoos Victoria’s of the border region between the $25,000 support will bolster continued efforts DRC, Rwanda and Uganda is slowly and strengthen their impact for increasing from just 1,100 individuals. SOCIAL Grauer’s Gorillas. Eastern Gorillas are being hunted STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS by poachers, fall victim to snares We will work with the Dian Fossey AND ENGAGEMENT. set to catch other wildlife and are Gorilla Fund to protect Mountain $60,000 even suffering from the impacts of Gorillas (in Rwanda and Uganda)

disease from surrounding human and Grauer’s Gorillas (in the DRC) TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS communities that enter their habitat through threat mitigation and to access timber and other forest community engagement. $282,000 resources. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is addressing these threats Next steps are to: through integrated programs that provide direct protection for gorillas and community engagement with schools, communities and local government across much of the species’ range. Recognising unpredictable security in some areas of the DRC and Uganda’s western border regions, Zoos Victoria will partner with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to primarily support its gorilla conservation efforts in the Volcanoes National Park and Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda. Developing the partnership may also allow for our financial support to apply to Grauer’s Gorillas in the DRC.

74 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 commenced in2013, 19 projects Since thegrants program final fromreports the recipients. of grant objectives by mid-term and appraised of progress with delivery and social outcomes. We are kept delivery of measurable biological successful grants focuses onthe which guides theselection of people-driven threats, thecriteria emphasising theneedto address and community conservation, and Reflecting our twin focuses of wildlife around theworld. projects beingundertaken and understanding of conservation and (iii)to increase ourknowledge based conservation organisation, Victoria asaworld leading zoo- globally, (ii)to helpprofile Zoos conservation reach andimpact species, are to (i)extend our to theconservation of threatened program, aswell asto contribute International Conservation Grants The aimsof Zoos Victoria’s Gemma Ortlip Photograph by International Conservation Grants international conservation strategy. to beanimportant feature of our around theworld andwillcontinue species andhumancommunities grants arange support of threatened The international conservation their project. had madeasignificant difference to Zoos Victoria grant, orthatthegrant implement theirproject withoutthe would eitherhave not been ableto respondents considered thatthey grants in2017 revealed that87% of A review of theeffectiveness of the awarded intotal since 2013. Just under$289,692 hasbeen Alligator Lizard inGuatemala. Bornean Orang-utans andCampbell’s crowned Lemurs inMadagascar, have benefited includeGolden- Critically Endangered species that human communities in15countries. threatened species andnearby have beensupported for 15 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION wildlife andpeopleinother countries. generate measurable outcomes for $570,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $570,000 GRANTS: INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION SOCIAL BIOLOGICAL supporting projects supporting that

75

INTL CONSERVATION SUMATRAN TIGER Photograph by Cormac Hanrahan ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

Conservation is as much a social issue as it is a biological issue. More often than not, in order to save a species we need a determined and informed community that is willing to dig deep to make it happen.

Rachel Lowry

CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER WWF AUSTRALIA Campaigns Together, we can fight extinction. Together, we can fall inlove with wildlife. change the trajectory of species in decline. of us, could have large-scale impact andeven everyday actionsthat, whenundertaken by all These behaviours can besimple, one-off or specific threatening processes to wildlife. that facilitate behaviours thatalleviate to runtargeted andmeasureable campaigns for conservation. Zoos Victoria’s mandate is our community to take meaningful action a uniqueposition to engagewithandempower more than3 millionpeopleby 2021, we are in with theambitionto increase thisvisitation to by more than2.4 millionpeopleeach year, As azoo-based conservation organisation visited in making thischoice. beyond, we will strive to inspire others to joinus driving themthere. Over thenext five years and We willnot contribute to thethreats thatare by and watch asspecies slidetowards extinction. we have madeourchoice. We willnot stand idly we are presented withachoice. At Zoos Victoria, with anever-growing list of disappearing species, is asmuchaboutpeopleitwildlife and threats to wildlife around theworld. Conservation our behaviours thatare drivingavast majority of the most amazingplants andanimals. Yet itis Humans are privilegedto share thisplanet with WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 77

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Don’t Palm Us Off MOTIVATING THE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL

SOCIAL Have you ever shopped at a pygmaeus) and Sumatran Orang- supermarket? Then you play a role utan (Pongo abelii) populations over BETTER UNDERSTANDING OUR in the unfolding story of palm oil. three generations. (IUCN Red List for COMMUNITY – research to understand Sumatra and Borneo might seem Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii). our impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs like a world away, but Australian and behaviours. In the first seven years of our shoppers could be unknowingly $2,000 p.a. Don’t Palm Us Off campaign, Zoos contributing to the daily destruction Victoria amplified the voices of of forest on these Southeast Asian KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED more than 450,000 Australians, AND ACTIVE – onsite, offsite and online islands. Australian consumers influencing the introduction of activation of campaign and collection of deserve the right to choose parliamentary labelling bills and signatures. products that do not drive species keeping this pressing issue front towards extinction. That is why $50,000 p.a. of mind for legislatures. We will we campaign for clear labelling on not give up. Australians deserve BEYOND LABELLING – designing and products and support companies the right to choose products as implementing an approach that places that source Certified Sustainable informed consumers that do not this issue front of mind for the decision Palm Oil (CSPO). While palm oil itself makers. drive deforestation. Over the five is a useful ingredient, the issue lies years of this plan, we will continue to YEAR 1 & 2 with how some of it is produced.

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS act as a platform for our community $25,000 p.a. Malaysia and Indonesia are home to drive changes that benefit wildlife PROVIDING LEADERSHIP - for a to Critically Endangered species of and stand up for fair and transparent regional initiative with ZAA that promotes tigers, rhinos and primates and are labelling. We will think globally and the production of CSPO with members also the two countries that produce act locally to strive for a future and the community. 86% of the world’s palm oil (WWF). where CSPO is the norm in Australian $5,000 p.a. The resultant land-clearing is an supermarket products. environmental catastrophe that has AMPLIFYING THE VOICE OF YOUNG contributed to the IUCN predicting an The next phase in this campaign PEOPLE ACROSS AUSTRALIA – support 80% decline in both Bornean (Pongo will focus on: through resources to assist schools in running education units and advocacy in favour of palm oil labelling and CSPO. $10,000 p.a.

ANNUAL DAY OF SCHOOL ACTION – Turn Orange for World Rainforest Day. $10,000 p.a.

TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $435,000

Photograph by Sarah Summers

78 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 waste, we needto: To expand ourcampaign against the initiatives of others. campaign whilst actively supporting is why we willwork to lead this world’s waste problem alone, which organisation willnever resolve the save aspecies. We know thatone human behaviour thatcould help facilitating thenext waste-related will also invest inuncovering and outdoor release of balloons. We seek anationwide ban onthe the marineenvironment, and will and theirattachments pose to reduce thethreat thatballoons Where to next? We’ll continue to alternatives atoutdoor events. replace balloons withwildlife-friendly councils andbusinesses pledgeto 140,000 peopleand128 schools, months, thecampaign saw over in February 2017. Inits first 18 Seabirds Dieinitiative was launched Zoos Victoria’s When Fly, Balloons these birds. most identifiable culprits found in have persisted assome of the balloons andtheirattachments Throughout many years of study, been found to have ingested rubbish. Flesh-footed Shearwater chicks have to Lord Howe Island,where 100%of their way upto 600kmoff thecoast mainland Australia are even floating to marinelife. Balloons let goon top three most harmful pollutants found thatballoons are amongthe innocuous. But astudy by theCSIRO of releasing balloons can seem event,or sporting thesimpleact In acarefree moment atabirthday PROTECTING WILDLIFEFROMOURWASTE Bubbles not Balloons andBeyond Phillip IslandNature Parks Peter Dann threat to marine biodiversity. pollution whichposes aserious and pledgingto tackle plastic showing for theirsupport wildlife 140,000 community members This partnership resulted inover had beenworking inisolation. and more effectively thanifwe community more meaningfully allowed usto engagewiththe Nature Parks. Working together Zoos Victoria andPhillipIsland of thepartnership between in large to part thesuccess Fly campaign can beattributed The success of theWhen Balloons $40,000 THE COMMUNITY TAKE ‘BUBBLES NOT BALLOONS’ TO $20,000 SECURE SUPPORT $16,000 behaviours over time. impact inshiftingattitudes, beliefs and every 12months to understand our $10,000 p.a environmental conditions. data sets andhow balloons respond to on wildlife, includingongoingseabirds into theimpact of singleuse plastics towards usingbubbles, not balloons. assist asocial insupporting movement supporters andkey organisations thatcan outdoor community events. existing orspecialmedium-large scale WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIAL BIOLOGICAL CONDUCT SOCIAL RESEARCH

CONDUCT BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH through for support of collaborators,

for wildlife based intervention may berequired. in waste andidentify where future zoo- Debris Database to better inform trends that contribute to theAustralian Marine GETTING TO THESOURCE MOVEMENTS SUPPORT EXISTING SOCIAL $125,000 GRAND GESTURE $20,000 TACKLE INVESTIGATE OURNEXT ISSUE TO $35,000p.a AND ACTIVE KEEP OURCOMMUNITY INFORMED Gemma Ortlip Photograph by $581,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $10,000 p.a. $35,000 SCHOOLS INTO OURFIGHTINGEXTINCTION BRING ‘BUBBLES NOT BALLOONS’ $10,000 p.a program inschools. pledges. activation of campaign and collection of wildlife. when itcomes to theimpact of waste on wildlife-friendly party. SUPPORT CITIZENSCIENCE IN –balloons are just thebeginning . – resources to activate the –onsite, offsite andonline to eliminate plastic waste – Melbourne’s biggest –initiatives

79

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife COMPASSION FOR PET CATS IS A WIN FOR NATIVE ANIMALS

BIOLOGICAL Together with our partners at the go missing are never reunited with

RSPCA Victoria, Zoos Victoria is their owners. Therefore, the solution SUPPORT ONGOING BIOLOGICAL focussed on giving pet cats and is compassion towards pet cats and a RESEARCH into the impact of domestic wildlife the best chance at life by win for wildlife. cats on wildlife. asking Victorians to keep their cats Over the next five years we will $10,000 p.a safe at home. Given the important continue work with other welfare roles that pet cats play in so many SOCIAL and conservation organisations in households, we believe they deserve an educational intervention that SOCIAL RESEARCH to understand a safe and happy home life. We also provides pet owners with tips and our impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs believe that Australia’s native wildlife tools to give both their cats and and behaviours. deserves every chance it can get wildlife the best chance. Of course, to flourish. Many Victorians agree, $24,000 the most critical threat to the decline and in the first six months of the of wildlife stems from unowned and KEEP OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED campaign 8,5000 people signed up feral cat populations. However, for as AND ACTIVE – onsite, offsite and online to become members of the Safe Cat, long as it is normal for owned cats activation of campaign. Safe Wildlife community. to roam, they remain interrelated $30,000 p.a Each roaming pet cat in Australia to unowned populations – both CONNECT WITH CAT OWNERS – extend

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS is estimated to kill on average 71.3 socially and biologically – limiting the reach and impact each year with one individual animals per year. the effectiveness of management to online/community activation. In Victoria alone, around two thirds save threatened species. Throughout $40,000 p.a. of all cats are allowed to roam, the course of this Master Plan, the which equates to 14 million animals Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign will COLLABORATE WITH PARTNERS to killed annually. While these statistics continue to build its community base investigate next phase approach to are shocking, we understand that and contribute to a broader strategy tackling the impact of feral cats on demonising pet cats is not an that will see Zoos Victoria support wildlife. effective way towards an agreed, its partners in their efforts to better YEARS 2 TO 5 effective and humane strategy to understand and effectively mitigate $15,000 p.a. save native animals. Similarly, pet the risk that cats pose to native cats who roam face very real welfare wildlife. SAFE CAT, SAFE WILDLIFE IN OUR risks due to road trauma, fighting FIGHTING EXTINCTION SCHOOLS and disease. In fact 9 in 10 cats that The following actions are required: – resources to activate the program in schools. $5,000 p.a “Explaining the Safe Cat Safe Wildlife program and CITIZEN SCIENCE – support for schools and the community to contribute our choice to have indoor data to BirdLife Australia’s ‘Birds in cats has helped friends to Schoolyards’ and ‘Birds in Backyards’ understand it is possible census. $30,000 to have cats contained indoors, happy and not SUPPORT A REGIONAL INITIATIVE THROUGH ZAA that extends reach and a threat to birds’ and impact of the Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife animals’ lives outside.” campaign. $110,000 Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife participant TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $649,000

80 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION and inthefuture. outcomes both now better animalwelfare native wildlife have both ourcats andour way to ensuringthat that itwillgoalong campaign andhope Cat, Safe Wildlife Victoria ontheSafe partnered withZoos very happy to be RSPCA V RSPCA VICTORIA CEO Dr LizWalker

ictoria are 81

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION INFLUENCING COFFEE CULTURE for a wildlife-friendly bean

BIOLOGICAL

SUPPORT ONGOING BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH into the impact of unsustainable coffee production on wildlife. $95,000

SOCIAL

CONDUCT SOCIAL RESEARCH to understand our impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. $60,000

KEEP OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED AND ACTIVE – onsite, offsite and online activation of campaign and conservation action. $400,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

COLLABORATE WITH VICTORIA’S COFFEE COMMUNITY – collaborate with local cafes to provide their customers the opportunity to be informed and active Coffee is grown in some of the of the city’s cafés have developed with wildlife-friendly coffee. most biodiverse subtropical and relationships with small-scale $120,000 equatorial regions on Earth. With plantations, adopted fair trade plantations in over 70 countries policies and become active members COFFEE FOR WILDLIFE – work with a across five continents, this beloved of waste combatting initiatives such coffee supplier to brand a zoo blend of bean is a truly global commodity as the reusable cup movement. wildlife-friendly coffee. with far reaching impacts on However, one area where coffee $120,000 millions of people and numerous consumers and perhaps even GRAND GESTURE – take wildlife-friendly species of wildlife. providers fall short is awareness coffee to the streets via offsite/online of coffee’s biodiversity footprint. The demand for coffee is growing, stunt to extend the reach and impact of This makes Melbourne an ideal and corresponding increases in wildlife-friendly coffee message. testing ground for strategies to production is having negative $125,000 increase demand for wildlife- consequences for biodiversity in friendly coffee. Capitalising on parts of Asia, South America and Melbourne’s rich coffee culture and TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Africa. The amount of land dedicated seizing the opportunity to highlight to plantations is also expanding, the impact of coffee production, $920,000 and a common practice is to clear Zoos Victoria will work to shift forested areas to achieve sunlight standards for potentially large- reaching coffee plants. This method scale environmental benefit. Over increases productivity, but also the course of this Master Plan, threatens local biodiversity. we will do this by developing a Currently, wildlife-friendly coffee campaign that promotes a robust makes up around only 10% of certification scheme and creates a production globally. A major consumer-driven market for shade- challenge is to increase consumer grown coffee. awareness and demand for this product. Melbourne has a vibrant To get this campaign off the coffee drinking culture and many ground we will:

82 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 toilet paper. Meanwhile, we will to lookoutfor wildlife-friendly continue to askourcommunity Over thenext five years, we will toilet paper products. to make theswitch to 100%recycled than 220,000 peoplehave promised seven years of theinitiative, more and Wipe for Wildlife. Inthefirst to change their purchasing behaviour issue by encouraging ourcommunity Victoria hasbegunto address this important habitat underthreat. Zoos consumer choices are placingthis but increasingly ourlifestyle and Trees provide homes for local wildlife, Cormac Hanrahan Photograph by IN OUR NATIVE FORESTS STRIKING ABALANCE Harvesting andHomes Critical next steps include: nature more broadly. change for threatened species and as onethatiscommitted to driving reinforcing people’s self-identity promotes actionfor wildlife whilst visit communication inaway that methodology to facilitate post- We willutilise leading social science consumer choices. to make forest-friendly further mobilising members of thepublic other paper andtimberproducts, we can best expand ourfocus to also take timeto explore how WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

consumer behaviours. boost reach andimpact of forest-friendly COLLABORATING WITHPARTNERS $90,000 AND ACTIVE KEEPING OURCOMMUNITY INFORMED $50,000 $35,000 SOCIAL $340,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $40,000 FIGHTING EXTINCTION SCHOOLS $125,000 UNDERTAKING A GRAND GESTURE - products made from 100% recycled paper. activation to promote purchase of native timberharvesting onlocal wildlife. phase approach to alleviate thethreat of ‘chain of custody’ research to inform next made from 100%recycled paper. share themessage andswitch to products andresourcingsupporting for schools to consumer behaviour. of forest-friendly messaging andinfluence An offsite/online stunt to increase reach

LOOKING BEYOND TOILET PAPER –onsite andonline PMS 462 Dark Brown forWildlife Wipe PMS 7515 Wombat Brown forWildlife Wipe PMS 462 Dark Brown forWildlife Wipe – to 83

–

PMS 7515 Wombat Brown forWildlife Wipe

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION They’re Calling on You COMMUNITIES CONSERVING GORILLAS UNDER THREAT

SOCIAL

SOCIAL RESEARCH to understand our impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. $15,000

COLLABORATION WITH MAJOR STOCKIST/RETAILER to facilitate phone collection and extend reach and impact into the community. $18,000

KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY INFORMED AND ACTIVE – onsite, offsite and online activation to facilitate action. $60,000

CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY – ‘Ape- ril’ Zoos Victorias annual phone recycling ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS drive to grow the list of supporting institutions taking part in bulk phone donation. $10,000 p.a.

BOOSTING PHONE RECYCLING through 15 year campaign celebration and new donor recruitment drive. Photograph by $10,000 Cormac Hanrahan COLLABORATION WITH OTHER Eastern Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla answered the call of wild gorillas, ORGANISATIONS to promote mobile beringei) are under threat as mining donating more than 164,000 mobile phone recycling through their existing continues within their forest homes. phones and raising over $271,000 e-waste initiatives. This results in human-wildlife in funds - half of which support $5,000 p.a conflict, disease transmission and projects in Africa to protect gorillas habitat loss. One of the key minerals from poaching and disease and FIGHTING EXTINCTION SCHOOLS – mined in gorilla habitat is coltan, a half contributing to Zoos Victoria’s supporting and resourcing for schools to mineral found in many mobile phones conservation efforts. develop mobile phone recycling drives. and other electronic devices. $5,000 p.a Looking to the future, a focus on Zoos Victoria’s They’re Calling On engaging and supporting workplaces, GETTING TO THE SOURCE – a You campaign aims to highlight the schools and community groups to community advocacy campaign calling threats posed to gorillas by illegal run phone collection drives will for source transparency for electronic mining and to facilitate conservation increase efficiency and phone components entering Australia to weaken action. Participants can donate collection rates. We will be working to our link to illegally mined coltan. their old mobile phones, in turn identify future public drop-off points $60,000 diverting them from landfill and and grow the number of ongoing raising money for wild gorillas. donors to allow Zoos Victoria and our TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Half the funds raised are donated conservation partners to continue to our international conservation undertaking important conservation $263,000 partners to support their essential work for Critically Endangered in-situ conservation work in Africa. Eastern Lowland Gorillas. In this campaign’s first ten years, thousands of Australians have Critical next steps include:

84 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 community groups whoshare our Victoria beingmonitored by over 70 were over 270 binsthroughout in Seal theLoop bins. By 2018, there 60km of fishingline were captured Between 2010 and2018, anestimated commitment to animalwelfare. ofUnit aspart ourconservation to invest inourMarineResponse Plan, Zoos Victoria willcontinue Throughout thecourse of thisMaster waste into aSeal theLoop bin. be reduced by placingused fishing This threat to marinewildlife can Unit involve recreational fishingline. Zoos Victoria’s MarineResponse requiring veterinary care through of thewildlife entanglement victims in theenvironment. More than80% injured dueto discarded fishingline birds, mammalsandfishare killedor Each year thousands of marine Cormac Hanrahan Photograph by ENTANGLEMENTS IMPACT OFDISCARDED FISHINGLINE REELING INTHEINCIDENCEAND Seal theLoop We willconcentrate on: commercial fishingcharters. expanding theprogram into line andwillhave investigated collected more than100kmof fishing installed over 500binsintotal, By 2025, we planto have monitor theSeal theLoop bins. topartner actively promote and ofsupport Coastcare asalongterm is having. We willwork to secure of theimpact thatSeal theLoop together amore accurate picture on theimpact of thebins, piecing allow more data to becollected partners, Coastcare Victoria, will developed withourcampaign A stronger offsite network, of fishinglineintheenvironment. commitment to reducing theamount WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

community programs - call to actionthrough integration into $1,000 p.a $53,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $2,000 p.a OFFSITE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT $27,000 MATERIALS. PRODUCING BINSANDCAMPAIGN SOCIAL $11,000 COMMERCIAL FISHINGINITIATIVES BIOLOGICAL ventures, i.e. charter boats and testing new binfor commercial extending reach andimpact by developing Debris Database. contribute data to theAustralian Marine source through for support initiatives that

CITIZEN SCIENCE -getting to the

85 -

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Beads for Wildlife CREATING A MODERN MARKET FOR AN ANCIENT PRODUCT

SOCIAL

KEEP OUR COMMUNITY UP-TO-DATE AND INFORMED. YEARS 1 & 2 $10,000 p.a.

BOOST THE INVOLVEMENT OF OTHER ZOOS. $10,000

CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAM AND THANK OUR PARTNERS AS WE CONCLUDE OUR INVOLVEMENT – enact exit strategy in year 3 and continue bead sales as long as financially viable. $20,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Photograph by Paula Simpson $50,000

Livestock is relied upon as the driven threatening process. By 2011, primary source of income for many Zoos Victoria sourced more than “I love beading. With the people throughout Kenya. This 80% of BeadWORKS stock produced. income from my beadwork, reliance is at its greatest during In recent years, we have worked my kids are comfortable times of drought. It is during these hard to secure additional revenue and able to go to school. times of hardship that the natural outlets to support this important balance between wildlife, people community trade campaign. Today, I also don’t need to sell and livestock can be disrupted BeadWORKS enjoys support goats for money anymore, as competition intensifies. With from around 50 other zoos and which means more milk demands for food and water at a organisations from across the world for my family. But it’s not high, wildlife such as the endangered and is no longer reliant on Zoos Grevy’s Zebra face additional Victoria’s campaigning to maintain all about the money. With pressures for survival. the benefit to people and wildlife BeadWORKS, I’m able to in Kenya through bead sales. In BeadWORKS is working to maintain use my skills, I feel smart. year one and two of this Master the natural balance in over 42,000 It’s about your skill and Plan, Beads for Wildlife will run as square kilometres of land and a Christmas campaign. In our third production.” support women in local communities year we will continue to support to provide a source of income Naisimari Lokorukoru BeadWORKS through the sale of through the sale of traditional beads at our properties, however we from Ngutuk Women’s Group, beaded products. The income is will shift our campaigning efforts so Westgate Community Conservancy ongoing and reduces the reliance on that past success achieved alongside livestock and other income sources our conservation partners at the that threaten wildlife and northern Northern Rangelands Trust can be Kenya’s hardy ecosystems. replicated to reduce human-wildlife When Beads for Wildlife launched in conflict in high need areas. 2009, the annual campaign push was critical in providing a market outside In the coming years we will: of Africa to help alleviate a human-

86 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Next steps are to: species onthe brink. to take actionto helpsave this initiative willencourage Victorians Extinction invertebrate species. The benefits apriority Victorian Fighting a community campaign that We willalso investigate and develop seen for some time. for some species thathave not been on thecommunity to helpussearch invertebrates inthestate andcall understand thecurrent state of science program to better Zoos Victoria willlead acitizen data of invertebrates inourstate. general lackof systematic survey With some exceptions, there isa received little attention inVictoria. conservation of thisgroup has of ecosystem processes, the invertebrates inthemajority Despite theimportance of Cormac Hanrahan Photograph by OF VICTORIA’S INVERTEBRATES UNEARTHING THEWONDERS Under themagnifying glass BIOLOGICAL $5,000 p.a. YEAR 1TO 3 CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN APPROACH FOR ANINVERTEBRATE INVESTIGATE THEBEST SOCIAL $10,000 p.a. YEAR 3TO 5 into Victorian threatened invertebrates. species. of athreatened Victorian invertebrate behaviours to progress theconservation fosters pro-wildlife attitudes, beliefs and WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

CONDUCT BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH

that

invertebrate-friendly behaviours. Victorians inunderstanding andtaking up event thatengages awidereach of Victorian invertebrate. develop initiatives target thatsupport action. activation of campaign and conservation YEAR 3&4 PARTNERS. ENGAGING COMMUNITY AND $350,000 AND ACTIVE – KEEP OURCOMMUNITY INFORMED $10,000 p.a. YEAR 4&5 $20,000 p.a. YEAR 3 attitudes, beliefs andbehaviours. to understand ourimpact inshifting $685,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $5,000 p.a. YEAR 5 $10,000 p.a. YEAR 3&4 SCHOOLS – SUPPORT INVERTEBRATE-FRIENDLY $125,000 A GRAND GESTURE – $20,000 p.a. YEAR 5 $40,000 p.a.

UNDERTAKE SOCIAL RESEARCH resourcing for schools to onsite, offsite andonline an offsite/online

87

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION In order to mobilise Victorians Photograph by Cormac Hanrahan to care and act for our wildlife, it’s essential we understand what drives individuals. We must build initiatives that engage communities based on this understanding, and evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives. This is where our social science research comes in.

Emily McLeod

SENIOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH MANAGER ZOOS VICTORIA these steps: opportunities we willtake To continue providing these champions for wildlife. of theircommunities andbecome how students can shapethefuture example we have seen first-hand orang-utans. This isjust one labelling of palm oilto helpsave Zoos Victoria to call for mandatory schools from across thecountry join Rainforest Day, more than200 natural world. Each year onWorld solve complex problems facing the and dispositions necessary to can develop theskills, knowledge programs, we believe thatstudents Education for Conservation young peopleinspeciallydesigned education experiences. By engaging in powerful conservation-inspired Victoria annuallyto participate Over 160,000 students visitZoos of every Victorian child’s education. Zoos Victoria aspires to beapart Education for Conservation CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS Schools. Marine DebrisDatabase. Spotter, Birds inSchoolyards, Australian community, i.e. Frog IDproject, Seal conservation activities withintheirlocal engage students inscience-based and Catholic Education Melbournefor of theirsupport theconservation education programs. * We acknowledge andthankoursignificant funding partners Department of Education and Training READERS FIGHTING EXTINCTION SCHOOL $20,000 p.a $15,000 p.a. CONSERVATION $665,000 CONSERVATION INNOVATION TRIALS SUPPORT EDUCATION FOR $380,000 ACTIVATION OFVIRTUAL REALITY $45,000 p.a ANNUAL STEM CHALLENGESERIES EDUCATION FOR CONSERVATION $1.6 millionp.a* PROGRAMS CONSERVATION EDUCATION SOCIAL $9,615,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $170,000 future. challenges they willface now andinthe people neededto solve theconservation to buildengagement andskillsinyoung Augmented Reality innovation. educational offerings. - planning,testing andevaluation of new LEARNING RESOURCES. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

SUPPORT SCHOOL FRIENDLY to berolled outinallVictorian using inquirylearning. BASED TEACHING

that

and AND

Zoos Victoria Hallof Fame. Advocate of theYear award atthe students went onto wintheYoung across thestate. For theirefforts, the shared withschools andstudents resulting incopies of the gamebeing to professionally produce Survival, collaboration withStreets Ice Cream refine thegame. They then worked in and other amphibianexperts to help the students met withZoos Victoria Over thecourse of thefollowing year, an extremely challengingthingto do!) win (because conserving aspecies is together inreal life) anddifficult to (because organisations must work that Survival shouldbecooperative educational, thestudents decided and threats to frogs. Aswell asbeing while learning aboutthelife cycles of threats andtake positive actions Players conduct research, manage populations of frog species to the wild. conservation science to return stable a card gamethat draws oncurrent designed anddeveloped ‘Survival’ – to dosomething. Together, they the students decidedthey wanted the plight of Australian frog species, Frog. After research further about Endangered Southern Corroboree the class learned abouttheCritically excursion to Healesville Sanctuary, classrooms across Victoria. Onan project thathasmadeits way into into athree-year conservation what started asasmallidea grew School, Berwick FieldsPrimary For theYear 5students at BERWICK FIELDS PRIMARY SCHOOL Case Study

89

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Fighting Extinction Schools

SOCIAL The Education for Conservation programs work to create Fighting MOBILISING A VICTORIAN SCHOOL Extinction Schools that act as COMMUNITY committed to Fighting satellites throughout the community Extinction through online and onsite to drive and inspire wildlife initiatives. conservation. Initially, these schools $110,000 join the community by visiting one of Zoos Victoria’s three great zoos, EVENTS THAT CELEBRATE, recognise and supporting one of Zoos Victoria’s and share how schools are Fighting Extinction, including an awards program. conservation campaigns. From this foundation, they take Education $225,000 for Conservation to the next level RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR – acting as mentors within their SCHOOLS to activate conservation own networks and communities, projects, including building capacity for driving support for Zoos Victoria’s teachers to embed conservation in their conservation initiatives, or creating school and community. their own initiatives that are relevant $225,000 to their passions and/or region. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS EMPLOYING A FIGHTING EXTINCTION With more than 500 Victorian SCHOOLS COORDINATOR. schools already awarded Fighting $450,000 Extinction School status by 2018, we believe that Zoos Victoria can play a significant part in every TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS Victorian’s education journey. Our aim is to support 70% of $1,010,000 Victorian schools in becoming part of the Fighting Extinction Schools’ community by 2024.

Critical next steps include:

90 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 include: Membership programs, steps To extend ourYATZ andTeacher changing world. to andthrivinginourquickly to engageyoung learners inadapting teachersopportunities willsupport conservation-inspired education and conferences connecting to change. Arange of workshops to use curriculum asatool for builds theircapacity as educators with professional development that provides highly engaged teachers creating acommunity of practice and Our Teacher Membership program is the Zoos Victoria community. involvement of younger children in wildlife advocates anddeepenthe another generation of passionate school students, we can create YATZ program to these primary 8-12 year olds. By extending the and implementing aprogram for children, we willfocus ondeveloping the gapfor younger school aged upon thisinitiative andbridging work of Zoos Victoria. Building them to thestaff, animalsandthe tap into theirpassions andconnect across thecourse of ayear that and development opportunities in conservation-inspired activities These young leaders are immersed change throughout thecommunity. action for conservation andinspire knowledge andconfidence to take people, aged13-18, develop theskills, membership program helps young The Youth attheZoo (YATZ) wildlife conservation. will have leaders thatchampion program, itensures thatourfuture YATZ isourhumaninsurance Youth attheZoo andTeacher Members youth audience across theState. beyond themembership program to that extend thereach andimpact of YATZ $145,000 ESTABLISHING JUNIORYATZ – $15,000 p.a. ENGAGEMENT - VICTORIAN YOUTH CONSERVATION $170,000 members. the leadership qualities withinYATZ across thecourse of ayear thatdevelop inspired development opportunities a sequenced range of youth-led and YOUTH LEADERSHIPPROGRAM - $90,000 complex wildlife conservation problems. skills thatlead to innovative solutions to design-thinking andproblem solving for young peopleto develop andinitiate YOUTH CONSERVATION HACK EVENT - SOCIAL understanding and be advocates for wildlife. 8-12 years oldsto buildtheirwildlife and implement aprogram thatsupports WILDLIFE CONSERVATION supporting initiativessupporting develop

opportunities. in conservation-inspired learning their capacity to engagelearners Victoria teacher members to enhance DEVELOPMENT SERIES - DIGITAL PROFESSIONAL $280,000 TEACHER CONFERENCES - CONSERVATION-INSPIRED MARQUEE $130,000 ‘HACK’ EVENT - TEACHER WILDLIFECONSERVATION $955,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS $65,000 Victoria conservation-inspired initiatives. the Victorian Curriculum through Zoos that engageVictorian teachers to teach up to three large initiatives each year Victoria’s networks andpartnerships. schools across thestate through Zoos problems thatcan thenbeexpanded to to wildlife conservation education Victorian teachers to co-create solutions an annualevent for

for Zoos supporting supporting 91

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Zoos Victoria’s volunteers OUR CONSERVATION AMBASSADORS

SOCIAL

NEXT GEN VOLUNTEER PROGRAM - targeted recruitment of volunteers with new and special skill sets to support the growth and reach of our conservation programs. $61,000

VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIP PROGRAM - develop and implement a range of engagement and support opportunities for all volunteers to deepen their connection with Zoos Victoria. $250,000

CONSERVATION AMBASSADORS PROGRAM - expand the Conservation Ambassadors role to engage the

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Victorian community beyond the walls of our three Zoos. $10,000 p.a.

VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION PROGRAM – a range of annual events and opportunities across the organisation that recognise and celebrate the Photograph by significant contribution of all volunteers Cormac Hanrahan in supporting the work of Zoos Victoria. $170,000

Zoos Victoria’s 890 volunteers Beyond the Visitor Experience roles, TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS contribute over 65,000 hours a year volunteers contribute behind the across our three properties. scenes to ensure that Zoos Victoria 531,000 maintains the best possible standard We believe in strength through for every program we deliver and diversity, and Zoos Victoria every animal in our care. is enriched by the range of personalities, skillsets and Volunteering is based on reciprocity backgrounds that make up our and, as such, Zoos Victoria will focus volunteer group. When visitors not only on growing the number of enter the gates, our volunteers participants in the program, but on are often the first people to greet deepening the level of engagement them, adding value to their day out of each of our volunteers. and helping to form all-important Relationships are important, and we first impressions of Zoos Victoria. want to ensure that we are providing The power of our volunteers as opportunities for members of the advocates shows in campaign results. community to get involved with Zoos Mobile phone collections through Victoria at all stages of life. They’re Calling On You experienced a seven-fold increase purely because To support our volunteers and of the introduction of face-to-face nurture pathways for their ongoing interaction with volunteers who engagement with us, we will pursue explained the campaign. the following:

92 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 technology we will: To advance ourapplication of pursue these avenues. closely withtechnology partners to This isnosmallfeat, andwe willwork zoo experience beyond ourwalls. extend theimpact andreach of the of digital andphysical worlds can we willinvestigate how theblending based conservation organisation, vision of beingaworld leading zoo- In alignment withZoos Victoria’s cryopreservation. pursue proven technologies suchas allow usto continue to effectively hardware andsoftware. This will the growing fields of open source biotechnology andgenetics and with emerging possibilities in preparing Zoos Victoria to engage of threats. Itisalso focuses on and wildlife trends for themitigation abilities to monitor habitat condition technologies thatenhance our early adoption of conservation This project provides for the conservation actions. available to usthatsupport and to capitalise onopportunities application of new technologies, to progress thedevelopment and need for conservation practitioners Zoos Victoria understands the Conservation Technology cameras. acoustic monitoring andlater generation Species, prioritised each year including and monitoring Fighting Extinction Victoria programs. in Fighting Extinctionandother Zoos conservation technology for application and breeding applications. Sarah Summers Photograph by $1,000,000 TOTAL OVER FIVEYEARS $30,000 TATTOO KEEPER– $30,000 TECHNOLOGY HOST ABIENNIALCONSERVATION $45,000 CONDUCT ABIENNIALREVIEW $120,000 APPLY GENETICTECHNOLOGY $60,000 p.a BEHAVIOURAL DATA COLLECTION OFCAPTIVE ANIMAL INVESTIGATE AUTOMATED $475,000 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES EMPLOY CURRENT ANDADOPT BIOLOGICAL Fighting ExtinctionSpecies’ recovery. with andcompassion for key species. augmented reality to foster engagement WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIAL WORKSHOP/SYMPOSIUM. scope project to use for health, welfare

for tracking to aid of

the message. topartner extend thereach of come onboard asanengagement App build.WWFAustralia will also agencies indelivering theTattoo Zoo to identify ahighcalibre of external quality of theuser experience and Google Creative Labs to ensure the Victoria willwork withpartners at partners inFighting Extinction.Zoos work doneby Zoos Victoria andits over ananalogueof theconservation ‘wild’- givingtheuser digital agency is successfully released into the period, theaugmented reality animal commitments withina48 hour intervals intheappandfulfilling performing care events atnominated to theanimalsof Zoos Victoria. By experience thatbringsusers closer is agamifiedaugmented reality mobile phoneapp. Tattoo Keeper then bringingitto life witha animal tattoo to your skin,and Imagine applyingatemporary Tattoo Keeper! 93

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Cryopreservation SECURING A FUTURE BY FREEZING THE PAST & PRESENT

BIOLOGICAL A key threat to each of our priority

threatened species is a loss of MAINTAIN A FROZEN RESEARCH genetic diversity and subsequent HUB at Zoos Victoria. fitness. Once genetic diversity is $5,000 p.a lost, it is usually irretrievable and significantly decreases recovery SUPPORT MONASH FROZEN ZOO potential. By storing genetic material, and cryopreservation research. including reproductive material $10,000 p.a (gametes), there is potential to reinstate lost diversity in the future, INCORPORATE GENETIC SAMPLES, including the development of live cell and to track changes over time that lines, from the highest priority Fighting assist with recovery planning. Extinction Species into the Frozen Zoo. Zoos Victoria has already made some $30,000 p.a progress in this space involving the New Holland Mouse. Together with SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL our partners at Monash Frozen Zoo, FAUNABANK WORKSHOP and research bringing together our partners we have cryopreserved live tissue for a national strategy and support of

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS material from this mammal and now wildlife banks. have an innovative project underway to bring back the genetic diversity $40,000 that was lost when a key population became extinct. An Australian first! TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS By preserving genetic material in $265,000 an ultra-low temperature freezer from Endangered species within our care (prioritising our Fighting Extinction Species, but also including globally threatened taxa such as tree kangaroos, broad-headed snakes, gorillas and rhinoceros) Zoos Victoria has the potential to demonstrate a level of forward planning and tangible commitment to long-term conservation. By working with our partners at Monash Frozen Zoo, Museums Victoria and FAUNABank, we hope to secure a future rich in wildlife with healthy genetic diversity.

To do this we must:

94 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ZOOS VICTORIA BOARD MEMBER, CHAIR Professor Ken Hinchcliff leadership. boldness enabledby effective open mindandadegree of best technologies requires an Being anearly adopter of the our fight against extinction. couldn’t otherwise consider in conservation actionsthatwe provide uswithoptions for Rapidly evolving technologies Photograph by Sarah Summers TASMANIAN DEVIL

95

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

MOUNTAIN PYGMY-POSSUMS Photograph by Amie Hindson

96 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Love Your Locals include: Steps to encourage Victorians to conservation efforts. alike to get involved withlocal opportunities for children andadults broader community, we can create scientists andmembers of the barriers thathave existed between By breaking down thetraditional by members of thegeneral public. of data relating to thenatural world science isthecollection andanalysis targeted citizen science. Citizen them through initiatives including Victorians’ deeperengagement with Extinction Species, andwe willfoster the publicprofiles of ourFighting wildlife. To dothis, we willbuild and behaviours for the benefit of and shiftingtheirattitudes, beliefs Our focus isonnew audiences for those most inneed. empowering each of usto take action to reaching allVictorians and includes projects thatare dedicated this five year Master Planthat futures. Zoos Victoria hasdeveloped our responsibilities to ensure their activities, andwe feel itisallof threats resulting from human These species are facing imminent next decade withoutourassistance. species could disappear withinthe In south-east Australia alone, 27 NECESSARY TO FIGHTTHEIREXTINCTION WILDLIFE ANDTAKE THEACTIONS HELPING ALLVICTORIANS TO VALUE Love Your Locals Love Your Locals program. bolster therigourandintegration of the identification prioritisation workshop to audience. $15,000 YEAR 1 AND MOOMBA ENVIRONMENTS NATURE FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIP WITHVIC $110,000 INITIATIVE. FIGHTING EXTINCTION LEGO SOCIAL AUSTRALIA PARTNER WITHBEHAVIOURWORKS $50,000 YEARS 2TO 5 $140,000 YEAR 1 WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

to runbehavioural to reach amainstream

the Central Highlands. species inVictoria’s forests, includingin citizen science to survey for threatened $140,000 $50,000 YEARS 2TO 5 $150,000 YEAR 1 MOST INNEED COMMUNITY ACTION TO SAVE OUR $955,000 TOTAL COST OVER FIVEYEARS scope includedonspecies’ page. observed inVictoria for 40years. *Note: Matchstick Grasshopper, aspecies not – usingcitizen science to search for Key’s species orproject. going towards adesignated threatened Extinction related item) withallfunds (pledge amount orpurchase Fighting initiative where community can donate

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT INVERTEBRATE INVESTIGATORS –large scale fundraising – using

97

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Building Capacity EXTENDING OUR REACH FOR CONSERVATION IMPACT

BIOLOGICAL Since the founding of Melbourne wellbeing. In the public sphere, we Zoo in 1862, Zoos Victoria has grown will increasingly shine a spotlight on ENSURE SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE - across three properties and matured our scientific talents, ensuring that Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation and into a world-leading zoo-based our female and male scientists are Science Team. conservation organisation. Now into celebrated and profiled to young $8,182,000 our third century of existence and boys and girls. consolidating on this position, we are ENLIST THE SERVICES OF A BIRD We are also looking close to home, focused on extending our strategic SPECIALIST TO SUPPORT OUR striving for operational excellence reach for more measureable INVESTMENT IN BIRD SPECIES. across our three properties and conservation impact. $400,000 equipping Zoos Victoria’s valuable

Ensuring that Zoos Victoria’s staff with the tools they need to PROVIDE SMALL GRANTS Fighting Extinction efforts are embed our Connect-Understand- PROGRAM for research on the Fighting grounded in science is critical, and Act model in their roles and be Extinction Species. requires a significant investment to ambassadors for our vision. Ensuring $210,000 secure scientists that are experts that we continue to demonstrate within their respective field. leadership in high quality training SOCIAL programs for both our staff and In a bid to better understand the Establish and implement the

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS members of the conservation social fabric of the world around ZOOS VICTORIA TRAINING AND community more broadly, we will us, we will increase investment in CONSULTANCY program to share the conduct a cost analysis and scope out research expertise and projects zoo-based conservation organisation the potential for developing an onsite that examine a diverse range model worldwide to benefit conservation Centre for Conservation Excellence. of areas such as perceptions of and the zoo community. wildlife tourism and the impacts YEAR 1 Critical next steps are to: of zoo visits on human health and $266,000 AND YEAR 2 $294,000

EMPLOY A COMMUNITY CONSERVATION CAMPAIGNER to extend the reach and impact of behaviour change campaigns, and support delivery of new campaigns. $90,000 p.a

Provide training and support for our people to embed CONNECT- UNDERSTAND-ACT in their roles $10,000 p.a

GROW OUR SOCIAL RESEARCH PROGRAM, enabling us to increase our efficacy in generating positive conservation outcomes. $505,000

CENTRE FOR CONSERVATION EXCELLENCE – develop a high level concept design, including cost analysis. $40,000

TOTAL COST OVER FIVE YEARS $10,397,000

98 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Endowment fund Team on 1300 966 784 contact Zoos Victoria’s Philanthropy Make adifference for tomorrow today, investment through our work today. start to see thereal returns onyour Zoos Victoria Endowment Fund and come. Joinus asacontributor to the and conservation for many years to the forefront of wildlife protection that Zoos Victoria continues to beat Our Endowment Fund willensure You can make adifference today. Our past isrichandourfuture iswild. FUNDING FOR CONSERVATION SUSTAINABLE SOURCES OF PROVIDING ONGOING, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

99

CAMPAIGNS CONSERVATION Our commitment 2019-24 PROJECT TIMELINE SUMMARIES

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 YEAR 5 TOTAL $

PROJECT

Fighting 8,732,000 8,630,000 8,014,000 8,172,000 8,046,000 41,594,000 Extinction & Watch List Species

Wildlife Health 190,000 190,000 190,000 190,000 190,000 950,000

Habitat 685,000 940,000 700,000 750,000 710,000 3,785,000 Restoration

Building 255,000 270,000 305,000 325,000 370,000 1,525,000 Threatened Species Alliances

International 522,000 605,000 608,000 574,000 565,000 2,874,000 Conservation

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Campaigns 767,000 874,000 856,000 808,000 671,000 3,976,000

Education for 2,400,000 2,470,000 2,230,000 2,240,000 2,240,000 11,580,000* Conservation, Youth and Teacher Members*

Volunteers – 100,000 100,000 105,000 108,000 118,000 531,000 Our Conservation Ambassadors

Conservation 205,000 205,000 285,000 285,000 285,000 1,265,000 Technology

Love Your Locals 415,000 170,000 170,000 100,000 100,000 955,000

Building Capacity 2,064,000 2,338,000 1,979,000 2,012,000 2,004,000 10,397,000

TOTAL 16,335,000 16,792,000 15,442,000 15,564,000 15,299,000 79,432,000

* We acknowledge and thank our significant funding partners Department of Education and Training and Catholic Education Melbourne for their support of the conservation education programs.

100 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of the species andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat EBBS may bereleased Engage French Island community where recovery efforts across Victoria EBB Project Officer to coordinate populations Maintain Zoos Victoria’s captive insurance fox-free status EBBfencedSupport reserves to maintain the conservation projects of thespecies andgenerate for support increase community care andknowledge through theannual‘HopFest’ event to Integrate theplight of thewallaby populations thegeneticSupport health of EBB Search for remnant populations French Island Assist theeradication of feral cats from release to thewild & MtRothwell andproduce young for population atTidbinbilla Nature Reserve strengthen thefree-ranging insurance Assist partners to maintain and establish anew population strategy to wildpopulationand support Design andimplement atranslocation EASTERN BARRED BANDICOOT wild population population andestablish atleast onenew translocation strategy to thewild support Design, implement andmonitor a BRUSH-TAILED ROCK-WALLABY SUB TOTAL SUBTOTAL Project Timelines

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 160,000 130,000 130,000 551,000 20,000 91,000 60,000 10,000 20,000 30,000 30,000 70,000 60,000 YEAR 1 165,000 130,000 135,000 536,000 20,000 91,000 60,000 20,000 30,000 30,000 50,000 75,000 YEAR 2 170,000 100,000 100,000 130,000 511,000 20,000 91,000 60,000 20,000 30,000 50,000 YEAR 3 175,000 100,000 240,000 270,000 526,000 10,000 20,000 91,000 60,000 20,000 30,000 50,000 YEAR 4 180,000 240,000 270,000 411,000 10,000 91,000 60,000 20,000 30,000 50,000 YEAR 5 2,535,000 455,000 850,000 300,000 100,000 460,000 150,000 270,000 715,000 935,000 TOTAL $ TOTAL 90,000 10,000 10,000 60,000 101

TIMELINE CONSERVATION LOWLAND LEADBEATER’S POSSUM

Design and implement a translocation 175,000 175,000 175,000 175,000 175,000 875,000 strategy so support wild population and establish a new population

Design and implement a genetic rescue 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 strategy for the wild population

Maintain population monitoring and 30,000 85,000 45,000 30,000 30,000 220,000 nest box monitoring throughout range to determine its condition and inform necessary interventions

Maintain Zoos Victoria’s captive breeding 160,000 165,000 170,000 175,000 180,000 850,000 program with a focus on overcoming barriers to breeding

Investigate extent of cat and fox 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 120,000 predation on wild LBPs and control feral predators

Species (Lowland) Coordinator for the 122,000 122,000 Leadbeater’s Possum recovery

Partner with the “Yarra4Life” program 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 run by the PPWCMA to increase community engagement, with a focus on habitat restoration on private land

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Collect a compilation of video and images 10,000 30,000 40,000 to share the rare and magical experience of meeting a “forest fairy”

Erect roadside signage near LBP 60,000 60,000 population sites to build community connection and support

Activations at our zoos and online 40,000 40,000 that aim to increase community care and knowledge of Victoria’s faunal emblems and generate support for the conservation projects (note: also for Helmeted Honeyeater)

Community and targeted stakeholder 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 engagement to obtain support for the establishment of new release sites (note: also for Helmeted Honeyeater)

SUB TOTAL 557,000 565,000 440,000 430,000 435,000 2,427,000

PROTECTING THE POSSUM IN THE SNOW

Undertake detailed population monitoring 50,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 130,000 at sites such as Mount Loch and investigate the loss of pouch young in a changing climate

Timms Spur Tunnel of Love: Connect 260,000 260,000 MPPs via new corridors with inbuilt monitoring systems and restore native vegetation

Assess the efficacy of the Tunnel of 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 Love at Mt Little Higginbotham through population surveys and monitoring

102 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Cinnamon Fungus to helpMouse habitat boot cleaning stations for mitigationof Raise awareness andfacilitate use of from current andlocally extinct NHMsites traditional custodians andcommunities engagement planthatintegrates Develop anddeliver acommunity reintroductions inthefuture investigate additionallocations for New sites for New HollandMouse: Zoos Victoria New HollandMouse –ondisplay at Help peopleget to know andlove the for reintroduction Commence captive breeding (*ifrequired) Holland Mouse extinct populationback to theNew Restore genetic diversity lost from an and reporting rescue through amulti-state workshop and triggers for New HollandMouse Develop along-term monitoring program Botanic Gardens) the Mornington Peninsula (at Cranbourne Reintroduce theNew HollandMouse to education andregular encounters population of MPPs for research, Maintain Zoos Victoria’s captive bred at Healesville Sanctuary tunnel for MPPs inNocturnal House Create new enrichment anddisplay forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat for translocations to new sites wild –includingpre andpost collection Monitor theNew HollandMouse inthe NEW HOLLANDMOUSE and recovery carrying capacity andmapfor protection undiscovered populations, determine Survey potential MPPhabitat to find enclosures and installing infrared cameras captivity by buildingnew enrichment Conduct MPPbehaviour research in SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 220,000 292,000 110,000 20,000 20,000 40,000 30,000 12,000 225,000 567,000 130,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 60,000 30,000 12,000 40,000 230,000 272,000 115,000 20,000 20,000 40,000 30,000 12,000 5,000 235,000 377,000 185,000 30,000 10,000 50,000 20,000 40,000 30,000 80,000 20,000 12,000 5,000 240,000 282,000 190,000 30,000 10,000 30,000 20,000 40,000 60,000 12,000 1,150,000 1,790,000 100,000 220,000 180,000 730,000 60,000 20,000 10,000 40,000 80,000 20,000 60,000 80,000 20,000 40,000 103

TIMELINE CONSERVATION SMOKY MOUSE

A song of mice and fire - monitoring the 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 60,000 180,000 Smoky Mouse in the Central Highlands and Grampians-Gariwerd National Park

Develop a long-term management 20,000 20,000 program and triggers for Smoky Mouse rescue through workshops and written plans

Research the first release of Smoky Mice 30,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 50,000 from captivity to Nullica

Bringing our mice back to where they 30,000 30,000 60,000 belong - investigate locations for Smoky Mouse reintroduction

Help people get to know and love the 15,000 10,000 10,000 35,000 Smoky Mouse – on display at Zoos Victoria

Commence captive breeding (*if required) 50,000 30,000 80,000 for reintroduction

Activations at our zoos and online that 10,000 10,000 aim to increase community care and knowledge of the species and generate support for the conservation projects

Raise awareness and facilitate use of 10,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 boot cleaning stations for mitigation of ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Cinnamon Fungus to help Mouse habitat

SUB TOTAL 60,000 55,000 55,000 150,000 135,000 455,000

SOUTHERN BENT-WING BAT

Protecting Victoria’s maternity site 400,000 400,000

Understand the population dynamics of 100,000 100,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 425,000 the species

Contribute to Australian Research 40,000 20,000 20,000 80,000 Council (ARC) funded study of White-nose Syndrome

Habitat restoration of maternity cave 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 surrounds

Investigate threats facing SBWB habitat 20,000 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 80,000

Activations at our zoos and online that 10,000 10,000 aim to increase community care and knowledge of the species and generate support for the conservation projects

SUB TOTAL 570,000 150,000 125,000 105,000 95,000 1,045,000

TASMANIAN DEVIL

New intensive breeding enclosures and 650,000 650,000 monitoring system to maximise Zoos Victoria’s breeding efforts

Install virtual road fences with the Save 100,000 100,000 100,000 300,000 the Tasmanian Devil Program to protect devils, quolls, bandicoots and other species from cars

104 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 program atWerribee OpenRange Zoo Maintain theGuardian Dogtraining Bandicoots for theprotection of Eastern Barred Complete thetrialuse of Guardian Dogs Dog science incursions Fighting ExtinctionSchools Detection Community andprivate land engagement Feral predator scat detection surveys support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat fencingvirtual assist inroad killhotspots withnew Install signageandprovide to support Healesville Sanctuary of a Detection Dogsprogram at forSupport development &launch captive breeding efforts anddisplays Maintain Zoos Victoria’s Tasmanian Devil species of additionalFighting Extinctiontarget Training &development for detection breeding andlactation Understand theendocrinologyof devil Coranderrk to maintain natural behaviours inthe Constructing new large group enclosures into the captive population incorporate missing genetic diversity Collect new devils from thewildto program Maintenance of theZV Detection Dogs breeding of natural behaviours, foraging and enclosures to investigate maintenance in mainlandfree ranging population Research andmanagement of devils complement monitoring andcollections Dog training andin-situ surveys to ZOOS VICTORIA’S FIGHTING EXTINCTION DOGSQUAD secrets drone technology to reveal thedevil’s wild Invest innew Crittercam camera and tolerance to Devil Facial Tumour Disease Molecular research into resistance and SUB TOTAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 1,337,000 100,000 440,000 211,000 200,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 35,000 30,000 55,000 40,000 32,000 15,000 100,000 450,000 216,000 130,000 757,000 32,000 10,000 10,000 35,000 15,000 10,000 55,000 30,000 40,000 22,000 15,000 460,000 221,000 637,000 34,000 50,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 55,000 15,000 30,000 30,000 22,000 470,000 300,000 226,000 837,000 36,000 10,000 15,000 55,000 15,000 30,000 20,000 22,000 480,000 231,000 677,000 38,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 10,000 55,000 15,000 30,000 20,000 22,000 2,300,000 1,105,000 4,245,000 170,000 250,000 115,000 275,000 300,000 420,000 150,000 120,000 20,000 50,000 45,000 20,000 30,000 45,000 30,000 30,000 105

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Expand the size of current trial sites to 50,000 50,000 20,000 120,000 allow the growth of EBB populations

Investigate additional applications for 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 200,000 Guardian Dogs in conservation, including habitat restoration

SUB TOTAL 521,000 563,000 515,000 462,000 439,000 2,500,000

HELMETED HONEYEATER

Maintain Zoos Victoria’s captive breeding 260,000 270,000 280,000 290,000 300,000 1,400,000 program with a focus on gene-pool mixing

Translocations to support the wild 80,000 80,000 80,000 80,000 320,000 population and establish at least one new population

Design and implement a genetic rescue 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 75,000 strategy for the wild population

Release HeHos into Coranderrk Bushland 55,000 85,000 35,000 175,000

Assess and develop approaches to 35,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 80,000 address fertility concerns

Support monitoring of breeding season 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 100,000

Database development and maintenance 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000

Pre-release predator avoidance training 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 as required ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS SUB TOTAL 320,000 415,000 475,000 515,000 475,000 2,200,000

MALLEE EMU-WREN

Support wild to wild translocation within 140,000 140,000 280,000 the species’ former range in South Australia

Investigate captive breeding and 50,000 50,000 100,000 husbandry as required

Welcome this new species onto Zoos 10,000 5,000 15,000 Victoria’s Priority List. Establishing the Mallee Emu-wren’s presence at our zoos and online as part of our local threatened species commitment

SUB TOTAL 10,000 145,000 140,000 50,000 50,000 395,000

ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT

Maintain Zoos Victoria’s captive 320,000 330,000 340,000 350,000 360,000 1,700,000 populations at Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo

Provide support for annual releases 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 200,000 and over-winter ranching

Construct and maintain a new captive 600,000 80,000 85,000 90,000 855,000 breeding research facility at Healesville Sanctuary

Provide support for development and 30,000 30,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 120,000 implementation of a vaccine for Beak and Feather Disease Virus

106 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat community aboutcritical habitat areas major roads to raise awareness inthelocal Erect signageatstrategic locations along Terrick Terrick partnership withtheCMNandFriends of Increase community engagement in breeding to identify new founders for captive Undertake surveys atadditionallocalities Conduct trialrelease of captive birds through acquisition andcovenanting Increase thearea of habitat protected for captive-bred birds management to provide release sites Undertake habitat monitoring and population management Undertake genetic monitoring to inform Identify release sites support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat OBPs andhabitat restoration citizen science approaches for monitoring Investigate apartnership to support Maintain populationmonitoring inthewild (in single-sex groups) accommodate 15pairs andchickclusters Increase thenumberof enclosures to monitoring system atthebreeding sites operationSupport of anautomated population to release support to thewild Expand Zoos Victoria’s captive breeding PLAINS-WANDERER Open Range Zoo the wildwithanew complex atWerribee breeding program to releases support to Expanding Zoos Victoria’s captive REGENT HONEYEATER of aresident mainlandpopulation Investigate thefeasibility anddesirability SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 130,000 100,000 150,000 425,000 502,000 40,000 15,000 25,000 12,000 25,000 10,000 20,000 5,000 5,000 1,055,000 130,000 130,000 155,000 552,000 15,000 15,000 25,000 12,000 15,000 25,000 10,000 40,000 10,000 20,000 5,000 1,197,000 130,000 130,000 600,000 160,000 510,000 20,000 60,000 15,000 15,000 25,000 12,000 25,000 10,000 40,000 20,000 5,000 130,000 130,000 165,000 650,000 525,000 502,000 15,000 20,000 12,000 25,000 10,000 20,000 5,000 130,000 130,000 170,000 540,000 507,000 15,000 20,000 12,000 25,000 10,000 20,000 5,000 3,055,000 3,260,000 100,000 115,000 650,000 620,000 125,000 800,000 640,000 100,000 690,000 20,000 60,000 45,000 25,000 60,000 20,000 50,000 10,000 107

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Building the capacity of our partners to 80,000 80,000 undertake captive breeding

Support field actions to identify 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 150,000 important habitat and enhance breeding performance

SUBTOTAL 30,000 110,000 70,000 680,000 30,000 920,000

SWIFT PARROT

Support field actions to increase nesting 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 200,000 success by reducing predation from Sugar Gliders

Identify important mainland habitat 40,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 160,000 though modelling and implementation of new survey methods

Investigate the need for captive breeding 30,000 850,000 880,000 and initiate a program if required

Welcome this new species onto Zoos 10,000 5,000 15,000 Victoria’s Priority List. Establishing the Swift Parrot’s presence at our zoos and online as part of our local threatened species commitment

SUB TOTAL 90,000 75,000 70,000 100,000 920,000 1,255,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS BAW BAW FROG

Maintain the captive insurance population 85,000 85,000 85,000 85,000 85,000 425,000 at Melbourne Zoo

Conduct field monitoring to better inform 50,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 290,000 conservation actions

Identify an environmental refuge for 10,000 10,000 10,000 40,000 40,000 110,000 reintroducing Baw Baw frogs to their wild habitat

Create disease free safe havens in wild 100,000 100,000 200,000 habitat for re-introduction

Assist the Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 to engage with the community

Build on and celebrate the annual 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 Baw Baw Frog day

SUB TOTAL 160,000 170,000 170,000 300,000 300,000 1,100,000

GIANT BURROWING FROG

Conduct on-ground surveys in key habitat 50,000 50,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 160,000

Establish Giant Burrowing Frog 30,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 70,000 husbandry protocols

Undertake eDNA survey of key streams 50,000 50,000 20,000 20,000 140,000

Welcome this new species onto Zoos 10,000 5,000 15,000 Victoria’s Priority List. Establishing the GBF’s presence at our zoos and online as part of our local threatened species commitment

SUB TOTAL 90,000 115,000 80,000 50,000 50,000 385,000

108 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 recovery objectives Maintain captive populationto support to secure theSpotted Tree Frog Use ground breaking scientific techniques breeding program Review andanalyse genetics of captive reintroduction ortranslocation and bolster populationsthrough Establish new wildsafe havens forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat populations on NCFfrom highandlow elevation Conduct thermaldevelopment research broader community with recreational fishingindustry and native fishmanagement in partnership Creation of wildsave havens vianon- efforts for SCFs Continue Zoos Victoria’s captive breeding in our care Brown Tree Frog andsecure individuals Establish husbandry protocols for Large National Park field enclosures withinMt Kosciuszko Construct additionaldisease free to improve recruitment Conduct in-situ habitat augmentation the NCF Continue captive breeding efforts for NORTHERN CORROBOREE FROG the Threatened Species Hubof NESP management actionsinpartnership with Annual monitoring to key support SPOTTED TREEFROG SCF in MtKosciuszko NationalPark Create anenvironmental refuge for SOUTHERN CORROBOREE FROG SUB TOTAL from recently discovered populations Develop along-term monitoring program LARGE BROWN TREEFROG SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 100,000 121,000 145,000 121,000 222,000 54,000 70,000 15,000 45,000 30,000 52,000 60,000 90,000 160,000 122,000 145,000 100,000 100,000 145,000 222,000 132,000 55,000 30,000 35,000 50,000 15,000 52,000 30,000 124,000 145,000 100,000 100,000 145,000 224,000 103,000 57,000 95,000 25,000 50,000 30,000 15,000 53,000 30,000 126,000 125,000 100,000 100,000 326,000 103,000 59,000 65,000 25,000 50,000 50,000 10,000 53,000 30,000 30,000 70,000 128,000 125,000 100,000 100,000 348,000 104,000 61,000 45,000 25,000 50,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 54,000 30,000 30,000 70,000 1,241,000 286,000 205,000 125,000 100,000 300,000 315,000 621,000 264,000 685,000 200,000 260,000 400,000 180,000 520,000 664,000 20,000 80,000 109

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Assist our allies to run community 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 projects in and around critical STF habitat

SUB TOTAL 269,000 405,000 362,000 334,000 296,000 1,666,000

STUTTERING BARRED FROG

Survey newly identified habitat 50,000 50,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 160,000

Conduct eDNA survey of key streams 50,000 20,000 20,000 90,000

SUB TOTAL 50,000 50,000 70,000 40,000 40,000 250,000

FUTURE PROOFING VICTORIA’S AMPHIBIANS

Future proof ZV Fighting Extinction 985,000 85,000 85,000 85,000 85,000 1,325,000 amphibian program - Healesville infrastructure and staff support

ESTABLISHING A CHYTRID RESEARCH FUNDING PROGRAM

Targeted chytrid mitigation in Fighting 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 250,000 1,250,000 Extinction species

International symposium on Amphibian 10,000 40,000 40,000 90,000 Chytrid Fungus

SUB TOTAL 260,000 290,000 250,000 250,000 290,000 1,340,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS ALPINE SHE-OAK SKINK

Wild monitoring of known populations 30,000 30,000 30,000 35,000 35,000 160,000

Survey new habitat to better understand 60,000 80,000 80,000 220,000 Victorian distribution of species, including on the Wellington Plains

Analyse Alpine She-oak Skink genetic 20,000 20,000 samples to determine feasibility of short- distance translocation for genetic rescue

Analyse data to determine population 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 trends

Develop and implement a translocation/ 30,000 80,000 110,000 recovery strategy

Activations at our zoos and online that 10,000 10,000 aim to increase community care and knowledge of the species and generate support for the conservation projects

SUB TOTAL 95,000 145,000 115,000 70,000 120,000 545,000

GRASSLAND EARLESS DRAGON

Conduct surveys for extant population 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 200,000

Assist partners to develop GED husbandry 20,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 70,000

Constructing breeding facilities at 70,000 70,000 Melbourne Zoo

110 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 support forsupport theconservation projects knowledge of thespecies andgenerate aim to increase community care and Activations atourzoos andonlinethat numbers of skinks inthewild Develop andimplement aplanto build species commitment ofonline aspart ourlocal threatened butterfly’s presence atour zoos and Victoria’s Priority List. Establishing the Welcome thisnew species onto Zoos Maintain Captive population Construct andmaintain anexhibit and reintroduction Investigate therequirements for display population diversity of Victorian GuthegaSkink enhance theextremely low genetic ‘genetic rescue’ isaviableoption to Determine through captive trialswhether required secure populationsandimplement, as Investigate wild-to-wild translocation to through management andrevegetation protectionSupport andrestoration reintroduction, asrequired Initiate andmaintain captive breeding for and reintroduction Provide for support habitat restoration program of animalsfor thecaptive breeding Wild monitoring plustargeted collection GUTHEGA SKINK Undertake systematic fieldsurveys GOLDEN-RAYED BLUE remaining Victorian populations Undertake fieldsurveys to identify any KEY’S MATCHSTICK GRASSHOPPER SUB TOTAL projects generate for support theconservation and knowledge of thespecies and that aim to increase community care Activations atourzoos andonline SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

100,000 220,000 125,000 10,000 90,000 60,000 40,000 30,000 15,000 20,000 10,000 70,000 190,000 130,000 236,000 200,000 10,000 30,000 91,000 50,000 55,000 20,000 5,000 5,000 150,000 283,000 225,000 80,000 93,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 50,000 60,000 20,000 30,000 50,000 5,000 205,000 95,000 50,000 50,000 30,000 40,000 60,000 30,000 50,000 85,000 5,000 212,000 125,000 97,000 50,000 50,000 30,000 40,000 65,000 40,000 30,000 50,000 5,000 1,156,000 466,000 110,000 250,000 300,000 190,000 130,000 270,000 120,000 350,000 760,000 10,000 15,000 90,000 35,000 90,000 60,000 10,000 111

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Welcome this new species onto Zoos 10,000 5,000 15,000 Victoria’s Priority List. Establishing the grasshopper’s presence at our zoos and online as part of our local threatened species commitment

Citizen science – creating invertebrate 40,000 30,000 30,000 100,000 investigators, a community-led search for Key’s Matchstick Grasshopper, a species unobserved in Victoria for 40 years

SUB TOTAL 30,000 25,000 140,000 100,000 100,000 395,000

LORD HOWE ISLAND STICK INSECT

Maintain existing captive insurance 90,000 95,000 100,000 105,000 110,000 500,000 population at Melbourne Zoo

Survey the wild population and, if 50,000 50,000 100,000 appropriate, collect new founders from Ball’s Pyramid

Expand the Melbourne Zoo population to 40,000 45,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 250,000 support re-introductions to the wild

Genetic research to guide captive 40,000 40,000 40,000 120,000 management and reintroduction planning

Establish a second wild population on 20,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 60,000 Blackburn Island

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Support for reintroduction to Lord 30,000 20,000 20,000 70,000 Howe Island

Activations at our zoos and online that 20,000 20,000 aim to increase community care and knowledge of the species and generate support for the conservation projects

Support community engagement on LHI, 30,000 30,000 and promote community support for reintroduction as required

SUB TOTAL 240,000 270,000 250,000 190,000 200,000 1,150,000

WATCH LIST SPECIES

Invest in initiatives being undertaken 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 200,000 1,000,000 by third parties to conserve Watch List species

WILDLIFE HEALTH

Fighting Extinction species health 140,000 140,000 140,000 140,000 140,000 700,000 monitoring to focus on pathology and health studies, such as wild and captive microbiome analyses and kidney disease in MPPs and LBPs

Undertake Disease Risk Analyses for 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 250,000 nominated species

SUB TOTAL 190,000 190,000 190,000 190,000 190,000 950,000

112 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 partnership withindigenouscommunities in threatened species management in understanding of Aboriginal knowledge thedevelopmentSupport and around threatened species conservation our engagement withtheircommunities Torres Strait Islandergroups to help guide Initiate conversations withAboriginaland Habitat restoration onprivate land threatened species conservation protection of Victoria’s land conservation networks inthe privateengaging andsupporting Expand ourreach andimpact through Coranderrk to Yarra –habitat restoration outcomes Extinction species and conservation Coordinator to ourFighting support Employ aCitizen Science &Outreach researchers rewilding for practitioners and Biannual forum onpredators and restoration Coranderrk Bushland Reserve– habitat Yarra Valley –habitat restoration projects atZoos Victoria Standards for conservation planning Transition to Healthy Country/Open Conservation Coffee program Program Managerto manage theYUS Enable TKCP Community Livelihoods Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program: restoration Haining Farm andsurrounds –habitat Victoria conservation planningprojects atZoos the transition to OpenStandards for Compliance Project Officer to oversee Appoint anAdministration and BUILDING THREATENED SPECIES ALLIANCES Project Officer Engage anInternational Conservation INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION SUB TOTAL habitat protection andrestoration Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve – HABITAT RESTORATION SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 120,000 100,000 240,000 180,000 685,000 255,000 20,000 20,000 10,000 65,000 40,000 20,000 40,000 40,000 85,000 120,000 100,000 240,000 350,000 100,000 125,000 940,000 270,000 40,000 20,000 65,000 20,000 40,000 40,000 85,000 5,000 120,000 100,000 240,000 100,000 195,000 700,000 305,000 60,000 10,000 65,000 20,000 40,000 25,000 40,000 40,000 85,000 5,000 100,000 120,000 100,000 240,000 160,000 100,000 125,000 750,000 325,000 10,000 65,000 40,000 25,000 20,000 85,000 5,000 120,000 120,000 100,000 240,000 160,000 100,000 125,000 710,000 370,000 10,000 65,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 85,000 5,000 1,200,000 3,785,000 1,525,000 340,000 600,000 325,000 500,000 120,000 470,000 150,000 440,000 425,000 400,000 750,000 40,000 60,000 40,000 113

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program: 10,000 10,000 10,000 5,000 35,000 Coffee program in-field support

Port Moresby Nature Park Sister Zoo: 13,000 10,000 7,000 5,000 5,000 40,000 Enhance animal management and welfare outcomes for Life Science staff

Port Moresby Nature Park Sister Zoo: 5,000 3,000 4,000 3,000 15,000 Strengthen education and interpretation staff capacity

Port Moresby Nature Park Sister Zoo: 5,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 Develop campaigns to engage the Port Moresby community in environment and wildlife protection

Port Moresby Nature Park Sister Zoo: 10,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 5,000 50,000 Establish staff skills to future proof PNG frogs against amphibian chytrid fungus

Port Moresby Nature Park Sister Zoo: 4,000 2,000 4,000 3,000 13,000 Increase capacity and skills of other Park Department staff to sustain Nature Park growth

SUB TOTAL 87,000 85,000 80,000 50,000 31,000 333,000

Oceania: Define and develop Partnership 10,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 Agreement with MANU-SOP

Oceania: Reduce the impacts of 20,000 25,000 20,000 30,000 30,000 125,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS introduced predators (cats and rats) on Polynesian birds and other wildlife

Oceania: Expand MANU-SOP’s sustainable 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 55,000 alternative income projects

Oceania: Strengthen MANU-SOP 15,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 15,000 65,000 community programs/education

Oceania: Provide in-kind materials and 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 equipment to increase conservation outcomes

SUB TOTAL 65,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 65,000 295,000

Philippine Crocodile surveys and 35,000 35,000 35,000 10,000 5,000 120,000 protection

Support community engagement and ISU 10,000 10,000 10,000 5,000 35,000 student projects to strengthen outcomes for wildlife in San Mariano Municipality

Increase Mabuwaya Foundation staff 5,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 capacity and skills to manage the Philippine Crocodile Conservation Centre

Manila Zoo sister Zoo: Establish ZV- 10,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 Manila Zoo relationship and support framework

Manila Zoo sister Zoo: Improve animal 15,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 50,000 management and welfare at Manila Zoo

Manila Zoo sister Zoo: Develop and 5,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 5,000 40,000 support implementation of conservation education at Manila Zoo

SUB TOTAL 80,000 85,000 75,000 40,000 25,000 305,000

114 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 engagement through campaign initiatives Zoo: Strengthen UWEC community Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Sister with RFUandcommunities Zoo: Develop UWEC education support Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Sister programs andengagement South-east Asia:Strengthen community African zoos asopportunities arise training/support, extending to other welfare through UWEC Life Science staff Zoo: Enhance animalmanagement and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Sister frameworksupport Zoo: Establish ZV-UWEC relationship and Uganda Wildlife Education Centre Sister Community Conservation Teams South-east FFI-Vietnam’s Asia:Support communities the Ziwa RhinoSanctuary andadjacent education delivery andoutcomes at Rhino Fund Uganda:Strengthen community programs andengagement Dian Fossey GorillaFund: Strengthen National Park welfare for captive wildanimalsinPuMat South-east increased Asia:Support RFU rangers Rhino Fund for Uganda:In-kindsupport social andbiological outcomes (materials,support etc.) to strengthen Dian Fossey GorillaFund: Provide in-kind patrols andmonitoring Rhino Fund RFUranger Uganda:Support Partnership Agreement withDFGF Dian Fossey GorillaFund: Define/develop of gibbonsandelephants (materials, etc.) to strengthen protection South-east Asia:Provide in-kindsupport gorillas field patrols andmitigate threats to Dian Fossey GorillaFund: DFGF Support Partnership Agreement withFFI South-east Asia:Define/develop SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL Elephant Conflict mitigation South-east Human- Asia:Support WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 40,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 30,000 53,000 85,000 52,000 10,000 7,000 8,000 6,000 5,000 5,000 4,000 5,000 5,000 40,000 10,000 10,000 13,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 35,000 55,000 80,000 50,000 15,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 7,000 40,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 30,000 53,000 85,000 50,000 15,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 3,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 40,000 54,000 70,000 60,000 30,000 5,000 4,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 10,000 10,000 20,000 15,000 45,000 54,000 60,000 70,000 30,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 175,000 180,000 269,000 380,000 282,000 100,000 17,000 18,000 45,000 45,000 49,000 50,000 85,000 15,000 25,000 60,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 37,000 115

TIMELINE CONSERVATION International conservation grant projects 100,000 100,000 110,000 120,000 140,000 570,000

INTERNATIONAL SUB TOTAL 522,000 605,000 608,000 574,000 565,000 2,874,000

DON’T PALM US OFF

Social research to understand our 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 10,000 impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Keeping our community informed 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 250,000 and active – onsite, offsite and online activation of campaign and collection of signatures

Beyond labelling – designing and 25,000 25,000 50,000 implementing our next phase of approach

Provide leadership - for a regional 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 initiative with ZAA that promotes the production of CSPO with members and the community

Amplify the voice of young people across 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 Australia – support through resources to assist schools in running education units and advocacy in favour of palm oil labelling and CSPO

Annual day of school action – Turn 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Orange for World Rainforest Day

SUB TOTAL 102,000 102,000 77,000 77,000 77,000 435,000

BUBBLES NOT BALLOONS

Biological research into the impact of 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 single use plastics on wildlife, including ongoing seabirds data sets and how balloons respond to environmental conditions

Social research to understand our 5,000 5,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 16,000 impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Secure support of collaborators, 10,000 10,000 20,000 supporters and key organisations that can assist in supporting a social movement towards using bubbles not balloons

Take ‘bubbles not balloons’ to the 20,000 20,000 40,000 community through support for existing or special medium-large scale outdoor community events

Keep our community informed and active 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 175,000 – onsite, offsite and online activation of campaign and collection of pledges

Investigate our next issue to tackle – 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 balloons are just the beginning when it comes to the impact of waste on wildlife

116 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 Cat, Safe Wildlife campaign that extends reach andimpact of theSafe aregionalSupport initiative through ZAA and ‘Birds inBackyards’ census BirdLife Australia’s ‘Birds inSchoolyards’ and thecommunity to contribute data to Citizen Science for –support schools the program inschools Extinction schools – resources to activate Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife inourFighting impact of feral cats onwildlife next phase approach to tackling the Collaborate withpartners to investigate online/community activation reach andimpact each year withone Connect withcat owners –extend the campaign – onsite, offsite andonlineactivation of Keep ourcommunity informed andactive be required where future zoo-based intervention may better inform trends inwaste andidentify Australian MarineDebrisDatabase to source –initiatives thatcontribute to the citizenSupport science ingetting to the behaviours impact inshiftingattitudes, beliefs and Social research to understand our behaviours impact inshiftingattitudes, beliefs and Social research to understand our activate theprogram inschools Fighting ExtinctionSchools –resources to Bring ‘bubbles not balloons’ into our the impact of domestic cats onwildlife ongoingbiologicalSupport research into SAFE CAT, SAFE WILDLIFE production onwildlife into theimpact of unsustainable coffee ongoingbiologicalSupport research WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY COFFEE eliminate plastic waste for wildlife existingSupport social movements to Guinness World Record attempt of Turn MelbourneOrange event and wildlife-friendly party; onthescale Grand gesture –Melbourne’s biggest SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 110,000 160,000 55,000 10,000 40,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 25,000 10,000 5,000 240,000 162,000 125,000 55,000 15,000 40,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 25,000 10,000 5,000 5,000 2,000 110,000 15,000 40,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 77,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 107,000 15,000 40,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 77,000 5,000 5,000 2,000 5,000 5,000 110,000 15,000 40,000 30,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 77,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 110,000 200,000 150,000 581,000 649,000 125,000 30,000 25,000 60,000 50,000 24,000 60,000 35,000 50,000 95,000 50,000 117

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Keep our community informed and active 150,000 120,000 50,000 40,000 40,000 400,000 – onsite, offsite and online activation of campaign and conservation action

Collaborate with Victoria’s coffee 20,000 30,000 30,000 20,000 20,000 120,000 community – collaborate with local cafes to provide their customers the opportunity to be informed and active with wildlife-friendly coffee

Coffee for Wildlife – work with a coffee 60,000 60,000 120,000 supplier to brand a blend of shade grown coffee as wildlife-friendly

Grand gesture – take wildlife friendly 125,000 125,000 coffee to the streets offsite/online stunt to extend the reach and impact of wildlife- friendly coffee message

SUB TOTAL 285,000 245,000 230,000 80,000 80,000 920,000

HARVESTING AND HOMES

Looking beyond toilet paper – ‘chain of 20,000 15,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 50,000 custody’ research to inform next phase approach to alleviate the threat of native timber harvesting on local wildlife

Keeping our community informed and 10,000 10,000 30,000 30,000 10,000 90,000 active – onsite and online activation to

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS promote purchase of products made from 100% recycled paper

Collaborating with partners to boost 5,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 35,000 reach and impact of forest friendly consumer behaviours

Undertaking a grand gesture - an offsite/ 125,000 125,000 online stunt to increase reach of forest friendly messaging and influence consumer behaviours

Fighting Extinction Schools – supporting 5,000 5,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 40,000 and resourcing for schools to share the message and switch to products made from 100% recycled paper

SUB TOTAL 35,000 35,000 55,000 180,000 35,000 340,000

THEY’RE CALLING ON YOU

Social research to understand our 5,000 5,000 5,000 15,000 impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Collaborate with other key organisations 10,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 18,000 to facilitate bulk mobile phone collection and extend reach and impact into the community

Keeping our community informed 10,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 5,000 60,000 and active – onsite, offsite and online activation to facilitate action

118 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 i.e. charter boats testing new binfor commercial ventures, reach andimpact by developing and Commercial fishinginitiative - extending illegally minedcoltan entering Australia to weaken ourlinkto transparency for electronic components advocacy campaign calling for source Getting to thesource -acommunity Debris Database contribute data to theAustralian Marine through for support initiatives that Citizen Science -getting to thesource mobile phonerecycling drives and resourcing for schools to develop Fighting Extinctionschools –supporting community programs to actionthrough integration into Offsite community engagement -call financially viable year 3andcontinue bead sales aslong our involvement –enactexit strategy in and thankourpartners aswe conclude Celebrate thesuccess of thisprogram Boost theinvolvement of other zoos their existing e-waste initiatives promote mobilephonerecycling through Collaboration withother organisations to recruitment drive campaign celebration andnew donor Boosting phonerecycling through 15year Producing binsandcampaign materials SEAL THELOOP informed Keep ourcommunity up-to-date and BEADS FOR WILDLIFE a threatened Victorian invertebrate species behaviours to progress theconservation of fosters pro-wildlife attitudes, beliefs and invertebrate conservation campaign that Investigate thebest approach for an INVERTEBRATE CAMPAIGN taking inbulkphonedonation part to grow thelist of institutions supporting Victorias annualphonerecycling drive Connecting with community – ‘Ape-ril’ Zoos SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 10,000 10,000 45,000 10,000 15,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 7,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 37,000 13,000 35,000 5,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 62,000 10,000 2,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 57,000 10,000 2,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 20,000 10,000 10,000 62,000 10,000 2,000 2,000 5,000 1,000 5,000 5,000 263,000 11,000 10,000 60,000 25,000 25,000 27,000 10,000 20,000 20,000 50,000 10,000 53,000 15,000 50,000 5,000 119

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Conduct biological research into Victoria 10,000 10,000 10,000 30,000 threatened invertebrates

Undertake social research to understand 20,000 10,000 10,000 40,000 our impact in shifting attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Keep our community informed and active 150,000 150,000 50,000 350,000 – onsite, offsite and online activation of campaign and conservation action

Engaging community and partners 40,000 40,000 20,000 100,000

A grand gesture – offsite/online event 125,000 125,000 that engages a wide reach of Victorians in understanding and taking up invertebrate friendly behaviours

Support invertebrate-friendly schools 10,000 10,000 5,000 25,000 – resourcing for schools to develop initiatives that support target Victorian invertebrate

SUB TOTAL 5,000 5,000 235,000 220,000 220,000 685,000

EDUCATION FOR CONSERVATION

Conservation education programs using 1,600,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 8,000,000 inquiry learning

Education for Conservation annual STEM 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 45,000 225,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS challenge series to build engagement and skills in young people needed to solve the conservation challenges they will face now and in the future

Activation of Virtual Reality and 80,000 80,000 100,000 60,000 60,000 380,000 Augmented Reality innovation

Support Education for Conservation 305,000 240,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 665,000 innovation trials - planning, testing and evaluation of new educational offerings

Conservation based teaching and 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 75,000 learning resources

Support school friendly citizen science 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 100,000 projects that engage students in science- based conservation activities within their local community, i.e. Frog ID project, Seal Spotter, Birds in Schoolyards, Australian Marine Debris Database

Fighting Extinction School Readers to be 60,000 110,000 170,000 rolled out in all Victorian Schools

SUBTOTAL 2,125,000 2,110,000 1,820,000 1,780,000 1,780,000 9,615,000

FIGHTING EXTINCTION SCHOOLS

Mobilising a Victorian school community 15,000 15,000 20,000 30,000 30,000 110,000 committed to Fighting Extinction through online and onsite initiatives

Events that celebrate, recognise and 30,000 30,000 45,000 60,000 60,000 225,000 share how schools are Fighting Extinction, including an awards program

120 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 opportunities learners inconservation-inspired learning to enhance theircapacity to engage - for Zoos Victoria teacher members Digital Professional Development Series conservation-inspired initiatives Curriculum through Zoos Victoria Victorian teachers to teach theVictorian large initiatives each year thatengage Conferences upto -supporting three Conservation-inspired Marquee Teacher and partnerships state through Zoos Victoria’s networks then beexpanded to schools across the conservation education problems thatcan teachers to co-create solutions to wildlife Event -anannualevent for Victorian Teacher Wildlife Conservation ‘Hack’ wildlife understanding andbeadvocates for 8-12 years oldsto buildtheirwildlife implement aprogram thatsupports Establish JuniorYATZ –develop and youth audience across theState beyond themembership program to extend thereach andimpact of YATZ initiativesEngagement -supporting that Victorian Youth Conservation leadership qualities withinYATZ members the course of ayear thatdevelop the development opportunities across range of youth-led andinspired Youth Leadership Program -asequenced Coordinator Employ aFighting ExtinctionSchools complex wildlife conservation problems skills thatlead to innovative solutions to design-thinking andproblem solving young peopleto develop andinitiate Youth Conservation HackEvent -for YOUTH AT THEZOO ANDTEACHER MEMBERS SUB TOTAL community embed conservation intheirschool and building capacity for teachers to activate conservation projects, including Resources for andsupport schools to SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 125,000 150,000 10,000 50,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 30,000 50,000 10,000 30,000

100,000 175,000 185,000 10,000 50,000 20,000 40,000 15,000 30,000 20,000 30,000 100,000 210,000 200,000 15,000 60,000 30,000 30,000 15,000 30,000 20,000 45,000 100,000 250,000 210,000 15,000 60,000 30,000 30,000 15,000 40,000 20,000 60,000 100,000 250,000 210,000 15,000 60,000 30,000 30,000 15,000 40,000 20,000 60,000 1,010,000 280,000 130,000 145,000 170,000 450,000 225,000 955,000 65,000 75,000 90,000 121

TIMELINE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS

Next Gen Volunteer Program - targeted 20,000 15,000 10,000 8,000 8,000 61,000 recruitment of volunteers with new and special skill sets to support the growth and reach in our conservation programs

Volunteer Engagement and Relationship 40,000 45,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 250,000 Program - develop and implement a range of engagement and support opportunities for all volunteers to deepen their connection with Zoos Victoria

Conservation Ambassadors Program - 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 expand the Conservation Ambassadors role to engage the Victorian community beyond the walls of our three Zoos

Volunteer Recognition Program – a range 30,000 30,000 35,000 35,000 40,000 170,000 of annual events and opportunities across the organisation that recognise and celebrate the significant contribution of all volunteers in supporting the work of Zoos Victoria

SUB TOTAL 100,000 100,000 105,000 108,000 118,000 531,000

CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGY 50,000 50,000 125,000 125,000 125,000 475,000

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Employ current and adopt emerging technologies for tracking and monitoring Fighting Extinction species

Investigate automated collection of 60,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 300,000 captive animal behavioural data for health, welfare and breeding applications

Apply genetic technology to aid Fighting 15,000 35,000 35,000 35,000 120,000 Extinction species’ recovery

Conduct a biennial review of Conservation 15,000 15,000 15,000 45,000 technology for application in Fighting Extinction and other Zoos Victoria program

Host a biennial conservation technology 15,000 15,000 30,000 workshop/symposium

Tattoo Keeper – scoping using augmented 30,000 30,000 reality to foster engagement with and compassion for key species

SUB TOTAL 155,000 140,000 235,000 235,000 235,000 1,000,000

CRYOPRESERVATION

Maintain a frozen research hub at Zoos 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 25,000 Victoria

Support Monash Frozen Zoo and 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 cryopreservation research

Incorporate genetic samples, including 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 150,000 the development of live cell lines, from the highest priority Fighting Extinction species into the Frozen Zoo

122 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024 included underspecies page in Victoria for 40years. *Note: scope Grasshopper, aspecies not observed science to search for Key’s Matchstick Invertebrate Investigators -usingcitizen outcomes in generating positive conservation enabling usto increase ourefficacy Grow oursocial research program, forests, includingintheCentral Highlands survey for threatened species inVictoria’s Project spotlight –usingcitizen science to roles embed Connect-Understand-Act intheir Training for andsupport ourpeopleto project a designated threatened species or related item) withallfundsgoingtowards amount orpurchase Fighting Extinction where community can donate (pledge need –large scale fundraising initiative Community actionto save ourmost in Locals program rigour andintegration of theLove Your prioritisation workshop to bolster the to runbehavioural identification Partner withBehaviourWorks Australia and support deliveryand support of new campaigns impact of behaviour changecampaigns, Campaigner to extend thereach and Employ aCommunity Conservation projects to ourinvestment support inourbird Enlist theservices of abird specialist mainstream audience Nature festival andMoomba to reach a Partnership withVic Environments Fighting ExtinctionLEGO initiative LOVE YOUR LOCALS Science Team Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation and Ensure Scientific Excellence - Zoos BUILDING CAPACITY SUB TOTAL ofsupport wildlife banks our partners for anationalstrategy and workshop andresearch bringingtogether internationalSupport FAUNABank SUB TOTAL

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 1,590,000 150,000 140,000 415,000 78,000 60,000 10,000 15,000 90,000 50,000 50,000 5,000 1,648,000 116,000 100,000 170,000 40,000 10,000 50,000 90,000 50,000 30,000 20,000 65,000 1,648,000 100,000 170,000 91,000 40,000 10,000 50,000 90,000 50,000 30,000 50,000 5,000 1,648,000 114,000 100,000 100,000 10,000 50,000 90,000 50,000 50,000 5,000 1,648,000 106,000 100,000 100,000 10,000 50,000 90,000 50,000 50,000 5,000 8,182,000 505,000 140,000 350,000 450,000 340,000 400,000 110,000 265,000 955,000 50,000 15,000 40,000 123

TIMELINE CONSERVATION Establish and implement the Zoos 266,000 294,000 560,000 Victoria Conservation Consultancy program to share the Zoos Victoria ZBCO model worldwide to benefit conservation and the zoo community

Centre for Conservation Excellence – 40,000 40,000 develop a high level concept design, including cost analysis

Provide small grants program for 30,000 40,000 40,000 50,000 50,000 210,000 research on the Fighting Extinction species

SUB TOTAL 2,064,000 2,338,000 1,979,000 2,012,000 2,004,000 10,937,000

TOTAL 16,335,000 16,792,000 15,442,000 15,564,000 15,299,000 79,432,000 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

124 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024

ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS

126 MASTER PLAN 2019-2024