AusLeisure

Melbourne Zoo has built a revolutionary, world-first hydro gym for its reptiles - designed to keep the animals fit and healthy.

The concept for the custom-designed exercise pool is the result of more than a decade of extensive planning by the zoo’s Reptiles, Invertebrates & Education Life Sciences team.

Keeper Alex Mitchell said the new facility was keeping the animals fit and active and, in turn, helping prevent illness and disease.

“The hydro gym is a temperature-controlled, filtered body of water, which allows keepers to manage water flow through the tank,” Mitchell said.

“Swimming against the current in the water enables the animals to build up their level of fitness, increase their muscle tone and be active, much like their wild counterparts would.”

Boasting an ultra-violet (UV) steralising unit, inline heating and hydro pumps, it is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

Since the completion of the facility, a variety of the zoo’s reptiles have been reaping the benefits of their new exercise sessions.

“Eastern Diamond-back Rattlesnakes often swim for a good period of time, whilst small monitor lizards, turtles and a variety of other snake species have also been swimming, which will assist with maintaining excellent levels of fitness in these species,” added Mitchell.

He said keepers had been passionately working on the hydro gym project for several years.

“The concept has evolved over time, from attempting to encourage snakes to swim and exercise in a bucket of water, into the revolutionary facility we have today. It has allowed us to raise the bar in the welfare management of reptiles.”

The hydro gym operates in an off-limits facility within Melbourne Zoo’s Reptile House.

Related Articles

19th January 2019 - New African experience comes to Werribee Open Range Zoo 

26th October 2018 - Moshtix extends Zoos Victoria concert series partnership

6th April 2017 - Massive interest in State Swim aquatic fitness programs

10th February 2017 - Australia Zoo’s animals beat the heat

10th August 2016 - Zoos Victoria Awarded San Diego Zoo Conservation Medal

29th July 2016 - Melbourne Zoo highlights plight of orangutans with call for palm oil labelling

22nd October 2014 - Melbourne Zoo Growing Wild area wins Kidsafe design award

13th November 2013 - Melbourne Zoo wins Victoria’s top tourism award

9th January 2013 - Animals beat the heat at Australian Reptile Park

3rd February 2011 - Taronga Zoo Animals Beat the Heat

---

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.