Under Construction
A massive storm in March 2010 battered the Australian Wetlands and Penguin Plunge so we need to undertake some much needed repairs. While we’re closed, the netting will be replaced and new boardwalks installed. Unfortunately, this means that the birds, including penguins, can’t be seen until we reopen later in the year.
You can still see plenty of Australian animals in the Australian Bushwalk, Reptile Encounter, Birds of the South-west Aviary and Nocturnal House. Simmo the Estuarine Crocodile can also be seen in his outdoor exhibit.
The Australian Wetlands and Crocodile Exhibit
Explore the water’s edge in the Australian Wetlands exhibit. Above and below the surface of the water live a myriad of species. Fish, frogs, turtles, birds, lizards and the world’s largest reptile, the Estuarine Crocodile, are all part of this amazing ecosystem. Visitors are immersed in the sights and sounds of the wetlands.
A boardwalk takes visitors through a huge free-flight aviary and lake complex, thrilling visitors with an array of water birds. Some of the Australian wildlife that can be seen in this exhibit include:
| Blue-billed Duck | Black-necked Stork |
| Plumed Whistling Duck | Brolga |
| Little Pied Cormorant | Glossy Ibis |
| Pied Heron | Radjah Shelduck |
| Yellow-billed Spoonbill | Freckled Duck |
| Great Egret | Australian Darter |
| Black Swan | Black-winged Stilt |
| Green Pygmy Goose | Royal Spoonbill |
In the entrance to the Wetlands, visitors can meet different frog species and Australia’s most endangered reptile, the Western Swamp Tortoise. Perth Zoo runs a breeding program for this threatened Western Australian tortoise. For information on this breeding program, see the Native Species Breeding Program.
Simmo the Estuarine Crocodile
One of the Zoo’s most popular attractions also lives in the Australian Wetlands – a 500 kg Estuarine Crocodile called Simmo.
Simmo can be seen in one of two ways. He has an indoor exhibit that features a 4.6 metre long, 32 millimetre thick, water-tight, armourglass window which allows both above and underwater viewing. Simmo is 5 metres long and is free swimming behind the window. Native fish also share his home.
The other is an outdoor exhibitd designed to replicate the Kimberley region of Western Australia where Estuarine Crocodiles are found in the wild. The outdoor area has a heated billabong and land area for basking. One of the features of the exhibit is a platform over the pool from which keepers can feed Simmo in the summer months.
The Crocodile exhibit also features Freshwater Crocodiles which are found adjacent to the Estuarine Crocodile Exhibit. Come along for the special presentation at 12pm.
