THE animals at the Mansfield Zoo have been waiting patiently for visitors to arrive and say hello once again after almost two months in lockdown due to the coronavirus restrictions.
The zoo opened its gates to visitors this week and is again fully operating with not too many new rules.
Owner and operator Bronwen Wilson said the only restrictions will be a set time for the lion feeding.
“We just have to watch how many visitors are here at the time for feeding the lions as we cannot have a large crowd near the enclosure at the same time," Bronwen said.
“While we are still limited to around 20 people in any one area of the grounds at one time, because we have so much open space this can be regulated around most of the zoo.
“But we have found in the past that when it comes to lion feeding time everyone gathers at the same place which will not be allowed for the time being.
“But apart from that the zoo is open to wander around at visitors’ leisure.”
The only other procedures Bronwen and partner Dave Murphy have had to set in place are hand sanitising stations and sanitising the feed buckets after each use, both of which Bronwen has said will be easy to do.
And Bronwen is excited about a new attraction hopefully coming soon to the Mansfield Zoo.
Currently in the pipeline are applications for permits to house a Maned Wolf – a large canine animal which has a very fluffy ‘ruff’ or mane, very long legs and stands around one metre high.
“The maned wolf is coming from the same wildlife park in New South Wales as the marmasets, meerkats and the bison,” Bronwen said.
Hopefully the permit will be through soon and the ‘wolf’ will be homed in Mansfield.
And also in the pipeline is the zoo’s new café – ‘Zoolicious’, a converted Melbourne tram – in fact quite a well-known tram having always run on the short St Kilda to the Melbourne city run – the Number 69.
Last week a new tram port was built over the top to protect this icon from the weather and to give shade and shelter to future visitors.
The inside of the tram has yet to be refurbished but when completed will house a commercial grade kitchen at one end with seating for about 20 throughout the remainder.
Bronwen said she would like to retain as many of the original features in the tram as possible including some rather old and fascinating advertising posters and a map of the city tram routes.
“But we will be glad to see visitors back at the zoo as the animals have been missing them,” Bronwen said.
“When the lions in particular see people coming near their enclosure they know it is feed time – and the meerkats get excited when they see anyone around the paths."
The zoo will be open every day from 10am to 6pm with the same friendly faces there to greet visitors.
Picnic and barbecue facilities are available within the grounds.
The zoo is situated approximately 8km from Mansfield on the Mansfield-Jamieson Road.
