Dingo | Canis lupus dingo
This species is well known for their intelligence and adaptability, playing a crucial role in the balance of their ecosystems. They are Australia's largest land predator, having taken the title from the now extinct Thylacine. Due to this placement on the food chain and well-adapted hunting skills, a 3000 mile+ fence was constructed across the states of Queensland and South Australia, primarily to prevent attacks on sheep.
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Meerkat | Suricata suricatta
The Meerkat is a species endemic to Southern Africa, sharing their habitat with various predators such as snakes, jackals and eagles. Due to the wide diversity of predators, they have developed a variety of behaviours such as digging burrows, and the designation of a Sentry individual, who observes the environment and alerts to mob to potential predators. Individuals will then retreat to their burrows until the danger has left.
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Red Panda | Ailurus fulgens
The Red Panda is an arboreal species found in the Eastern Himalayas and some areas of southwestern China. Their diet consists mostly of bamboo, but, unlike what this and their name suggests, they are not related to the Giant Panda. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 2,500 individuals currently remain in the wild, placing this species on the 'Endangered' marker of the IUCN RedList.
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Sumatran Tiger | Panthera tigris sumatrae
Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the subspecies of Tiger, at an average of 120kg (male) and 91kg (female). The photographed individual is Australia Zoo's famous male, Hunter. He was born with a congenital eye condition that unfortunately, despite the best efforts, resulted in him completely losing his eyesight.
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Southern Koala | Phascolarctos cinereus
Southern Koalas are an Australian native, classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Unfortunately, due to the infamous 2019/2020 bushfires that devastated Australia, nearly 15% of their population perished. That amounts to more than 6300 individuals in total (according to IFAW).
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Southern Cassowary | Casuarius casuariu
The cassowary is well known for its infamous defence technique of kicking, which has proven to be powerful enough to break bones and even kill humans. This species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
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Swamp Wallaby | Wallabia bicolor
Swamp wallabies are a small Australian marsupial species found along the East Coast. Some of their biggest threats in the wild are roads, and predators such as wild dogs and dingoes. The IUCN classifies them as a species of Least Concern.
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See photos taken outside of the Zoo grounds here.
