The Andrews Labor Government is boosting regional tourism and jobs while fostering Victoria’s unique native wildlife, with a fourth site for Zoos Victoria.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that the management of Kyabram Fauna Park will be taken over by Zoos Victoria, supported by $3 million from the Labor Government.

Kyabram Fauna Park joins Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary, benefiting the resident wildlife, delivering improved staff opportunities and increased tourism to northern Victoria.

From October, Kyabram Fauna Park will be included in the Labor Government’s $20 million Kids Go Free offer, where children under 16 receive free admission to Victoria’s Zoos on weekends, public holidays and school holidays, and members of the two zoos will have access to both.

The 55-hectare parkland and wetland Kyabram Fauna Park site is two and a half times bigger than Melbourne Zoo and has more than 600 animals, the largest collection of Australian animals in Victoria after Healesville Sanctuary.

The extensive collection of Australian animals includes Tasmanian Devils, quolls, dingoes, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, echidna, emus, flying foxes and southern cassowary along with an impressive collection of reptiles and birds.

The Park has looked after wildlife and delivered conservation programs since 1979, planting more than 7,000 native trees and plants to create a range of habitats to provide food and shelter for free-ranging wildlife and encouraged the return of 35 species of birds to the local Kyabram area.

The two wildlife organisations already share close strategic alignment across animal welfare, conservation, sustainability and visitor experience. The transition process is now underway, with full integration to be complete within the next 18 months.

The Government has invested more than $305 million in Zoos Victoria since 2014. Over the same period, the Government has invested more than $560 million into protecting biodiversity – more than any other in Victorian history – working to halt the decline of Victoria’s plants and animals through the landmark plan Biodiversity 2037.

Quote attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio

“Welcoming Kyabram Fauna Park to the Zoos Victoria family is a win for tourism and jobs in northern Victoria and our precious biodiversity.”

Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp

“Zoos Victoria taking management control of the Kyabram Fauna Park will mean new tourists from all over Victoria and the world will have even more reason to visit Kyabram and north central Victoria.”

Quote attributable to Zoos Victoria Chief Executive Officer Dr Jenny Gray

“Zoos Victoria will work hard to ensure a smooth transition, and we are thrilled to have an even broader reach to connect community with nature right across the state of Victoria, to secure a future rich in wildlife.”