Arrived at Mogo Zoo at about 9.30. I had booked online, but hadn’t received email – possibly from incorrect email address. (probably my fault!) but it was no problem on entry. Nice welcome.
No Maps handed out due to Covid-19 restrictions, but we could take a photo of the one at the front desk..
Shop on LHS of entry desk, with the café just behind the shop.
On the RHS (opposite Café) there are two small glass enclosures. Top one contained at least 4 small mouse like creatures – unsigned so not sure what they are. Bottom enclosure possibly contained reptile, contained food and a heat lamp. This enclosure was also unsigned.
Next enclosure on RHS contained Meerkats.
Out in front a large glass fronted enclosure contained 4 Grey Gibbons. Glass heavily frosted with dew, which burnt off during the morning. Gibbons 3 Adults and 1 Juvenile. (possible adult pair and 2 off spring?).
From this point on the review will take a left hand route through Mogo Wildlife Park.
To the left, behind the café is the original entrance walkway. The outside seating area was closed due to Covid-19.
The original entry plaque is located here part of which reads
“Somerset Wildlife Sanctuary was officially opened by The HON Tim Moore M.P Minister for the Environment on 17 November 1991”
The first outside exhibit in this area is a nice glass fronted exhibit containing at least 2 Emperor Tamarin.
Next Black Capped Capuchin Troop in wire enclosure.
Well shaded and lightly planted mesh enclosure for Bintourong. Definitely smelt the strong odour of Pop corn… but I also thought that there was a hint of Rat. Enclosure opposite appeared empty and had no signage, but on a later visit sighted a second Bintorong exploring.
Ring tailed Lemur troop next in glass fronted mesh enclosure. Glare and condensation meant not very good photos.
Two Sumatran tiger enclosures next. Well grassed and planted. Nice pool in 1st enclosure. Tigers (1 in each exhibit) seemed relaxed and moved freely around. Although viewing windows and upper viewing deck are much closer that the viewing opportunities at Melbourne zoo – I felt these tigers were more relaxed and didn’t pace around like their Melbourne counterparts. No sign of and no signage for Generic Tigers – possibly no longer in the collection?.
Toilets were located underneath the viewing platform.
On the other side of the viewing platform from the tigers were two large enclosures. The first one had no signage and appeared to be empty. The second enclosure was signed for Lions, but nothing was sighted. It annoys me that signage is lacking. It only takes 5 minutes to print out and laminate a sign saying “Enclosure closed for re-development”…..
2 Red Panda exhibits up next with Large trees and plenty of greenery. (only 1 red panda sighted in 1st enclosure.)
2 x African Servals in wire mesh enclosure. Poor photo opportunities. Both were very playful early on in the morning and one was stalking and pouncing on the other one. Later on they were enjoying the sunshine and lying close to one another.
Walking up from the Servals you come to the back of the Grey Gibbon enclosure. This side is covered in mesh, which gives them plenty of climbing opportunities and they were active brachiating the length of the enclosure. By this time the condensation had cleared from the viewing windows.
Sharing a solid concrete back wall with the Servals, the snow leopard enclosure looked small and old fashioned, with a low roof, possibly not helped with the ground sloping away from the viewing area. Only 1 snow Leopard sighted.
Next a large otter enclosure with two happy and active Oriental Small Clawed Otter.
Walking along the path – most of the enclosures are on the RHS and will be mentioned on the way out of the zoo.
Empty enclosure up next –
Next up Large Cheetah enclosure – only 1 Cheetah sighted.
Fallow Deer in large paddock – the only animals you are allowed to feed, with a small paper bad of food available to purchase at the entry counter for $4. You feed them through the fence, so not as exciting as the deer chewing on your coat at Halls Gap Zoo!
Giraffe in several interconnected paddocks. At least 7 Giraffe including 2 young ones. (7 in total) Giraffe feeding / photo opportunities for $15.00
7 Zebra including 1 juvenile share the next paddock with 6 female ostrich. (No male Ostrich sighted)
1 Southern White Rhino in next paddock . A second rhino sighted in the behind the scenes area.
Primate Islands – these are some of the best primate Islands I have seen in my zoo travels.
The first Island is lushly planted with She-Oaks and Large Gum Trees. It makes for sighting the occupants difficult. Luckily we were there after a scatter feed, so saw the two Siamang Gibbons.
Next island is not so densely planted and has more wooden climbing structures and contains 5 Siamang Gibbons – including 1 juvenile. I am guessing adult pair and 3 offspring.
Post 2 for the rest of the zoo
No Maps handed out due to Covid-19 restrictions, but we could take a photo of the one at the front desk..
Shop on LHS of entry desk, with the café just behind the shop.
On the RHS (opposite Café) there are two small glass enclosures. Top one contained at least 4 small mouse like creatures – unsigned so not sure what they are. Bottom enclosure possibly contained reptile, contained food and a heat lamp. This enclosure was also unsigned.
Next enclosure on RHS contained Meerkats.
Out in front a large glass fronted enclosure contained 4 Grey Gibbons. Glass heavily frosted with dew, which burnt off during the morning. Gibbons 3 Adults and 1 Juvenile. (possible adult pair and 2 off spring?).
From this point on the review will take a left hand route through Mogo Wildlife Park.
To the left, behind the café is the original entrance walkway. The outside seating area was closed due to Covid-19.
The original entry plaque is located here part of which reads
“Somerset Wildlife Sanctuary was officially opened by The HON Tim Moore M.P Minister for the Environment on 17 November 1991”
The first outside exhibit in this area is a nice glass fronted exhibit containing at least 2 Emperor Tamarin.
Next Black Capped Capuchin Troop in wire enclosure.
Well shaded and lightly planted mesh enclosure for Bintourong. Definitely smelt the strong odour of Pop corn… but I also thought that there was a hint of Rat. Enclosure opposite appeared empty and had no signage, but on a later visit sighted a second Bintorong exploring.
Ring tailed Lemur troop next in glass fronted mesh enclosure. Glare and condensation meant not very good photos.
Two Sumatran tiger enclosures next. Well grassed and planted. Nice pool in 1st enclosure. Tigers (1 in each exhibit) seemed relaxed and moved freely around. Although viewing windows and upper viewing deck are much closer that the viewing opportunities at Melbourne zoo – I felt these tigers were more relaxed and didn’t pace around like their Melbourne counterparts. No sign of and no signage for Generic Tigers – possibly no longer in the collection?.
Toilets were located underneath the viewing platform.
On the other side of the viewing platform from the tigers were two large enclosures. The first one had no signage and appeared to be empty. The second enclosure was signed for Lions, but nothing was sighted. It annoys me that signage is lacking. It only takes 5 minutes to print out and laminate a sign saying “Enclosure closed for re-development”…..
2 Red Panda exhibits up next with Large trees and plenty of greenery. (only 1 red panda sighted in 1st enclosure.)
2 x African Servals in wire mesh enclosure. Poor photo opportunities. Both were very playful early on in the morning and one was stalking and pouncing on the other one. Later on they were enjoying the sunshine and lying close to one another.
Walking up from the Servals you come to the back of the Grey Gibbon enclosure. This side is covered in mesh, which gives them plenty of climbing opportunities and they were active brachiating the length of the enclosure. By this time the condensation had cleared from the viewing windows.
Sharing a solid concrete back wall with the Servals, the snow leopard enclosure looked small and old fashioned, with a low roof, possibly not helped with the ground sloping away from the viewing area. Only 1 snow Leopard sighted.
Next a large otter enclosure with two happy and active Oriental Small Clawed Otter.
Walking along the path – most of the enclosures are on the RHS and will be mentioned on the way out of the zoo.
Empty enclosure up next –
Next up Large Cheetah enclosure – only 1 Cheetah sighted.
Fallow Deer in large paddock – the only animals you are allowed to feed, with a small paper bad of food available to purchase at the entry counter for $4. You feed them through the fence, so not as exciting as the deer chewing on your coat at Halls Gap Zoo!
Giraffe in several interconnected paddocks. At least 7 Giraffe including 2 young ones. (7 in total) Giraffe feeding / photo opportunities for $15.00
7 Zebra including 1 juvenile share the next paddock with 6 female ostrich. (No male Ostrich sighted)
1 Southern White Rhino in next paddock . A second rhino sighted in the behind the scenes area.
Primate Islands – these are some of the best primate Islands I have seen in my zoo travels.
The first Island is lushly planted with She-Oaks and Large Gum Trees. It makes for sighting the occupants difficult. Luckily we were there after a scatter feed, so saw the two Siamang Gibbons.
Next island is not so densely planted and has more wooden climbing structures and contains 5 Siamang Gibbons – including 1 juvenile. I am guessing adult pair and 3 offspring.
Post 2 for the rest of the zoo
