Mugga Lane Zoo

[Terry Thomas]

The Edward's cross were thought to some of the last in the country. Not certain what they were crossed with but you are probably correct. In appearance they were Edward's. These were actually loaned to the zoo, by a pheasant breeding friend, in Canberra. I only managed to get a small number of eggs from them, and none were fertile.

I note the photo of crested macaques. Five years ago I backpacked through northern Sulawesi, and was able to get close to a group of them, as they came down from their tree roosts, early one morning, after a walk through the forest, starting when it was still dark. Bit of an experience.

Just noticed that it was not your photo of the macaques but rather tetrapod, the member above!

 

[Sherryn Groch]

In 1975 a proposal was put to the then Dept,. of the Capital Territory. Three and a half years later approval was given and work began in an empty paddock. . On 19/12/1979 the zoo was officially opened by the. Hon. R.J.Elliott, QC, MP, The then minister for the Capital Territory. Originally known as the Canberra Wildlife Gardens, the name was changed about 3 years later to Mugga Lane Zoo, following a farcical period. The Dept. of Health said that only a registered zoo could have a licence and that as we were not registered we could not have one. Following many months of stupidity, a licence was at last granted. Fierce opposition always came from the Conservation Branch, who advised several departments that no zoo would be allowed to develop in the ACT. Most of the opposition was from the then Director of Conservation, who was responsible for all permission to import and to exhibit wildlife in the ACT. A list of species was submitted and every one refused. The only species to be given permits were all domestic species. An appeal, the first of many over the next ten years, was made. At this time there were heavy restrictions on the species which could be displayed in inland zoos. A typical example was the refusal of a permit to keep a hand reared red kangaroo, on the grounds that "kangaroos should only be seen and appreciated in the wild".
After pressure was brought to bear on the Director, Brian Pratt, by higher authorities, some permits were granted and the place began to make progress. Landscaping, building and planting all continued. As the ACT was entering what turned out to be a severe three year drought, most of thousands of plants did not survive. Only one household water supply was allowed for the 20 acre block, and no concessions given. A bore was sunk almost 90 metres, but only a small amount of water was available from it. A one and a half million gallon dam was constructed, and became a water feature.
Originally all pens and yards were constructed using pine logs, and all shelters were covered with pine off-cuts, the aim being to blend everything into a natural background. In later years these logs were replaced by steel frames and the early aviaries enlarged at the same time.
In about 1987 a building was constructed to house an exhibition of fossils, by Mike Durrant, who later went on to construct another fossil display in the Gold Creek area. By that time there were approx. 120 species on display, including Greater bushbabies, Crab-eating macaques and Bonnet monkeys. The only Pardine genet known to be in the country survived for three years past the longevity record, and continued to survive for another couple of years, after new owners had taken over. Agoutis, skunks, deer, antelope and servals were all displayed, along with a variety of other species, including many native species. A large collection of birds included parrots, pheasants, pigeons and doves, waterfowl, various raptors and many smaller birds. An ecological display was one of the first exhibits. A group of domestic species was popular. Grey kangaroos and wallabies were easily seen in a walk-through enclosure. Many species reproduced and we were proud of our breeding record.

How do I know all this?? Well, I was the one who,with my wife, began this zoo.
We were responsible for the first ten years of it's growth. We sold the zoo to another person in 1989. He seems to have turned the place over to a son, aged about 17, with very little knowledge of anything to do with animals or zoos. Within a short period of time I began to get reports of how sad the zoo was looking. We had moved from Canberra to the Mid North coast of NSW by this time . Phone calls made, and advise offered were not received too well! Staff called me, but there was nothing I could do to help them, as the new owners would accept no assistance or direction. The rest is a very sad history. I have often wondered what became of all the animals. I believe that 3 wedge-tailed eagles went to a zoo in Port Macquarie, but about the others I have no info.
Ten years of my life went into that zoo, and now I look back on it as one of my best achievements. To hear about how it was neglected was, and still is, very hard.
If you want any more info I am happy to oblige.

Hi

In 1975 a proposal was put to the then Dept,. of the Capital Territory. Three and a half years later approval was given and work began in an empty paddock. . On 19/12/1979 the zoo was officially opened by the. Hon. R.J.Elliott, QC, MP, The then minister for the Capital Territory. Originally known as the Canberra Wildlife Gardens, the name was changed about 3 years later to Mugga Lane Zoo, following a farcical period. The Dept. of Health said that only a registered zoo could have a licence and that as we were not registered we could not have one. Following many months of stupidity, a licence was at last granted. Fierce opposition always came from the Conservation Branch, who advised several departments that no zoo would be allowed to develop in the ACT. Most of the opposition was from the then Director of Conservation, who was responsible for all permission to import and to exhibit wildlife in the ACT. A list of species was submitted and every one refused. The only species to be given permits were all domestic species. An appeal, the first of many over the next ten years, was made. At this time there were heavy restrictions on the species which could be displayed in inland zoos. A typical example was the refusal of a permit to keep a hand reared red kangaroo, on the grounds that "kangaroos should only be seen and appreciated in the wild".
After pressure was brought to bear on the Director, Brian Pratt, by higher authorities, some permits were granted and the place began to make progress. Landscaping, building and planting all continued. As the ACT was entering what turned out to be a severe three year drought, most of thousands of plants did not survive. Only one household water supply was allowed for the 20 acre block, and no concessions given. A bore was sunk almost 90 metres, but only a small amount of water was available from it. A one and a half million gallon dam was constructed, and became a water feature.
Originally all pens and yards were constructed using pine logs, and all shelters were covered with pine off-cuts, the aim being to blend everything into a natural background. In later years these logs were replaced by steel frames and the early aviaries enlarged at the same time.
In about 1987 a building was constructed to house an exhibition of fossils, by Mike Durrant, who later went on to construct another fossil display in the Gold Creek area. By that time there were approx. 120 species on display, including Greater bushbabies, Crab-eating macaques and Bonnet monkeys. The only Pardine genet known to be in the country survived for three years past the longevity record, and continued to survive for another couple of years, after new owners had taken over. Agoutis, skunks, deer, antelope and servals were all displayed, along with a variety of other species, including many native species. A large collection of birds included parrots, pheasants, pigeons and doves, waterfowl, various raptors and many smaller birds. An ecological display was one of the first exhibits. A group of domestic species was popular. Grey kangaroos and wallabies were easily seen in a walk-through enclosure. Many species reproduced and we were proud of our breeding record.

How do I know all this?? Well, I was the one who,with my wife, began this zoo.
We were responsible for the first ten years of it's growth. We sold the zoo to another person in 1989. He seems to have turned the place over to a son, aged about 17, with very little knowledge of anything to do with animals or zoos. Within a short period of time I began to get reports of how sad the zoo was looking. We had moved from Canberra to the Mid North coast of NSW by this time . Phone calls made, and advise offered were not received too well! Staff called me, but there was nothing I could do to help them, as the new owners would accept no assistance or direction. The rest is a very sad history. I have often wondered what became of all the animals. I believe that 3 wedge-tailed eagles went to a zoo in Port Macquarie, but about the others I have no info.
Ten years of my life went into that zoo, and now I look back on it as one of my best achievements. To hear about how it was neglected was, and still is, very hard.
If you want any more info I am happy to oblige.

Hi Terry, I'm a journalist at The Canberra Times. Sorry to plunge into this thread but I've been looking into the origins of the wild peafowl population we have here in Canberra's south (in Narrabundah and Red Hill) and both the government and locals tell me they think it most likely the first birds wandered down when the Mugga Lane Zoo closed. It got me thinking about the zoo and what happened to the animals, as it sounds like you yourself have been doing.
Wondering if you had any more info (or photos of peafowl back in the day at the zoo)? I'm on sherryn.groch@fairfaxmedia.com.au and would love to chat more about the zoo. I find it really interesting.
Just as background if you've been out of the loop, the ACT government was planning to move and possibly put down the peafowl as they are not native earlier this year but the locals, who have lived with the birds for more than 15 years now, fiercely opposed it and the plan was scrapped.
More info here: The plan to stop Canberra's feral peacock invasion that's dividing the city
Proposed peacock cull cancelled after 'overwhelming' community outcry
Thanks!

 

[SherryS]

I have accidentally found Terry Thomas’ posts about his Mugga Lane Zoo. I used to live & work at the zoo in the mid 80’s. I thought i might add a few more animals to the list that were on display at the zoo.
3 ostrich, emus, red kangaroo, Tilly the grey kanga (you could pat her & put your hand in her pouch), Stilletto the long-billed corella, 2 or 3 wedge-tailed eagles, dingos, agouti, bush babies, gorgeous pheasants, kakariki parrots, can’t recall the wombats name. i used to love greeting them each morning, for feeding. well most anyway. the womat used to bite the back of my gumboots & ernie the crab-eating macaque terrified me. he knew i was scared & I rarely fed him. Lillian or Terry did that haha