Healesville Sanctuary is a zoo specializing in native Australian animals. The zoo is located at Healesville on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia and has a history of breeding native animals; it is one of two places to have successfully bred a platypus, the other being Sydney's Taronga Zoo.

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 (316,000 m²) 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.

External links

• Healesville Sanctuary