This zoo is one of my favourite zoos in Australia! Here's why:
Unlike the big, government owned zoos such as Melbourne, Werribee, Healesville, Taronga (Sydney), Dubbo, Adelaide, Monarto and Perth, Mogo Zoo is a privately owned zoo - and does not receive government funding. This means that as a business, it is starting behind the eight-ball when it comes to competing with these larger, more established zoos. Yet, considering the place is privately run, and only approx. 25 years old, it is doing magnificently well!
I will start with the collection of animals displayed:
Most private zoos house a lot of species which I call "fillers" - ie domesticated and semi-domesticated animals such as goats, sheep, pigs, camels, peafowl etc, as well as token, easy to obtain Australian animals such as wallabies, koalas and various Australian reptiles. Mogo Zoo DOES NOT do this. The animals displayed at Mogo are all exotic animals, from overseas (except for one kangaroo).
Mogo displays: White rhinos, giraffes (6 or 7 of them), zebras, ostrich, European fallow deer (which you can feed), lions (including white lions), tigers, snow leopards, cheetah, meerkats, otters, red pandas, serval (a small cat from Africa), and a huge selection of primates - including gorillas, 3 species of gibbon, at least 7 species of monkey, and 2 species of lemur.
For a private zoo to keep rhinos and gorillas is a seriously impressive achievement!
The animals are housed in large, planted out enclosures made to look as natural as possible. Many of the primates are housed on islands (meaning that no fences are needed). The enclosures for the giraffe, zebra, rhino and deer are all huge too.
The other thing that Mogo does which I really love, are the "Animal Experiences". For approx. $100, visitors can do an "Experience", where they go into the enclosure with certain animals and give them their enrichment (which basically means a foraging exercise where the animal searches out the hidden food - thus keeping the animal stimulated), give them some food, have a pat and a photo etc. I've done the experience with the red pandas, squirrel monkeys, emperor tamarins (a tiny species of monkey) and the pygmy marmosets (the world's smallest species of monkey). Next time I might do the meerkat experience. These experiences help the zoo to gain vital funds needed (remember, unlike the bigger zoos, Mogo doesn't get government funding).
The zoo is a nice family outing and is not too big for kids to walk around. You can buy deer feed for $2 per packet and feed the deer through the fence (which kids generally love) too. It's also a lovely place to go with your partner or with friends. I will also add that if you're into photography, especially animal photography, Mogo is a really good place to take photos - because of the lack of wire, fencing etc - you can often get some good photos of the animals without fences or wire spoiling the shot.
The other thing I really like about Mogo Zoo is the cafeteria - it's only small, but it's old school - they do a burger called the "Zoo Burger" which really is simply delicious! It has a beef pattie, lettuce, red onion, tomato, cheese, relish etc. Sit and eat your zoo burger while watching the family of Silvery Gibbons or the meerkats.
All in all, I love Mogo Zoo. I live in Melbourne but I go up there at least once per year and I have bought a membership (which gets you free entry and a discount on the "Animal Experiences"). If you're up around Bateman's Bay or Canberra (it's a 2 hour drive from Canberra through beautiful scenery), I'd highly recommend a trip to Mogo Zoo. read more
