The upgraded entry includes a new ticketing area, retail shop, toilets and a café with views directly into the new meerkat enclosure.
Five meerkats, nine-year-old males Jubjub and Baruti and two-year-old females Acacia, Nyiri and Zahara arrived from Sydney Zoo in NSW, becoming the attraction’s first meercat family.
“Native to southern Africa, these friendly, intelligent little animals live together in family groups, creating a network of burrows underground to keep themselves safe from predators in the wild,” general manager Lachlan Gordon said.
“Meerkats are entertaining, very social and are loved by people all over the world — now residents and visitors to the Kyabram Fauna Park will be able to see these little creatures up close.”
Mr Gordon said the updated visitor entry and facilities were the first major upgrades to the park in 20 years, and created an even better visitor experience, which would have people near and far coming back time after time.
“This is an exciting year for Kyabram Fauna Park, from upgrades and construction works coming together, welcoming new animals such as the Tasmanian devils and meerkats, to our Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasian accreditation,” he said.
The park is also set to become Victoria’s fourth zoo as part of Zoos Victoria.
Funding for the new visitor entry, reptile house and other upgrades was from the Victorian Government with additional support provided by the Federal Government, through the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, Campaspe Shire Council and a $40,000 contribution from the Kyabram Community Bank and Kyabram Community Club.
Construction of the park’s new reptile house is set to be completed later this year.
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