Healesville Sanctuary
Healesville Sanctuary is a zoo specializing in native Australian animals. The zoo is located on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia and has a history of breeding native animals; it is the only place to have successfully bred a platypus.
The zoo is set in bushland where paths wind through different habitat areas showcasing wallabies, kangaroos, and over 200 native bird varieties.
Conducted tours, bird shows and interpretive skill are available to visitors.
Dr. Colin MacKenzie (knighted in 1929) set up the Institute of Anatomical Research in 1920 on 78 acres of land which had formerly been part of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve. The Reserve passed to the Healesville Council in 1927 and became the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary in 1934.
The first platypus bred in captivity was born at the Sanctuary in 1943.
