The endangered spot-tailed quoll at home at Moonlit Sanctuary
Mornington Peninsula attraction Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park has just introduced its first two rare and critically endangered regent honeyeaters and two endangered spot-tailed quolls.
Well known internationally for its breeding programs of rare and endangered species, Moonlit Sanctuary has settled both pairs into new enclosures, with the regent honeyeaters taking up residence next to the critically endangered orange-bellied parrots.
Fewer than 500 regent honeyeaters are found in the wild, and Moonlit Sanctuary has joined the national recovery program for this species. More birds will be released into the aviary and into the wild.
Moonlit Sanctuary is also hopeful that the male and female spot-tailed quoll will breed together, and their glass-fronted enclosure has a private section to encourage mating.
Many visitors to the park stay for the lantern-lit evening tours, discovering nocturnal creatures that are normally invisible during the day. A new walk-in squirrel glider exhibit is proving very popular, as visitors can hand-feed these graceful, swift and tiny gliders. They are another threatened species.
Moonlit Sanctuary is a member of the Mornington Peninsula Attractions Pass, which includes seven of the Peninsula's top destinations. Costing $63 for adults and $45 for children, the pass delivers more than $100 of value and provides entry plus bonus offers at Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and Peninsula Hot Springs. Searoad Ferries, Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm and Box Stallion Winery all have a special 10% discount offer for pass holders.
Pass holders receive a free bag of food to feed the cute wallabies on Moonlit Sanctuary's Wallaby Walk. They can also upgrade to the evening tour for $40 (adults) and $25 (children).
The Attractions Pass is transferrable, valid for three months and can be purchased online at www.emmp.net.au, at Ashcombe Maze and Lavender Gardens, Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, Peninsula Hot Springs and selected outlets on the Mornington Peninsula.
The Mornington Peninsula is just an hour's easy drive from Melbourne or, for those travelling to or from the west of Melbourne or western Victoria, the ferry crossing from Queenscliff to Sorrento is only 40 minutes. Alternatively, take a return ferry trip and enjoy the spectacular bay experience.