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Darling Downs Zoo

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{{Infobox zoo

|zoo_name= Darling Downs Zoo

|logo= Darling Downs Zoo Logo.jpg

|logo_width=

|logo_caption=

|image=

|image_width=

|image_caption=

|date_opened=11 June 2005

|date_closed=

|location=Pilton, Queensland, Australia

|area= {{Convert|50|acre|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-28/the-zoo-in-the-middle-of-nowhere/7974160 |title=Darling Downs Zoo brings a taste of Africa to small Queensland town of Pilton|accessdate=1 January 2020 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |work=Landline |last=Woodward |first=Jenny |date=28 October 2016}}

|coordinates= {{Coord|-27.892277|152.020035|type:landmark_scale:2500|display=it}}

|num_animals=500 (approx.)

|num_species=110+

|members=Zoo and Aquarium Association

|exhibits=

|owner=

|website= {{URL|https://www.darlingdownszoo.com.au/}}

}}

Darling Downs Zoo is a zoo situated in Pilton, Queensland, Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.zooaquarium.org.au/public/Locate/Public/Locate.aspx |title=ZAA Accredited Member Location Map |accessdate=1 January 2020 |publisher=Zoo and Aquarium Association}} The zoo is divided into four separate geographical areas featuring animals mostly from Africa, South America, South-East Asia and Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.darlingdownszoo.com.au/about/ |title=About the Zoo|accessdate=1 January 2020 |publisher=Darling Downs Zoo}}

History

The zoo was closed from 27 March to 9 June 2020 due to government restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.{{cite web |title=ZOO CLOSED - Darling Downs Zoo |url=https://www.darlingdownszoo.com.au/what-happens-and-when/news/item/10-zoo-closed |website=www.darlingdownszoo.com.au |publisher=Darling Downs Zoo |access-date=30 January 2021 |language=en-au |date=27 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=WE'RE OPEN AGAIN!!! – THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED!! |url=https://www.darlingdownszoo.com.au/what-happens-and-when/news/item/12-we-re-open-again |website=www.darlingdownszoo.com.au |publisher=Darling Downs Zoo |access-date=30 January 2021 |language=en-au |date=9 June 2020}} As the zoo had large carnivores it had problems feeding them. It relied on bank loans and generous people to cover costs, and also set up a crowdfunding page to raise money.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=George |title=Staff, volunteers pay for zoo animals' food as coronavirus cripples wildlife parks, sanctuaries |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-16/coronavirus-queensland-zoos-sanctuaries-native-wildlife-animals/12154058 |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=www.abc.net.au |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=16 April 2020 |language=en-AU}}{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Belinda |title=Darling Downs Zoo set to reopen after 11 weeks without visitors |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-09/darling-downs-zoo-reopens-after-11-week-coronavirus-shutdown/12334686 |access-date=30 January 2021 |work=www.abc.net.au |publisher=ABC Southern Qld |date=9 June 2020 |language=en-AU}} The zoo has since re-opened to the public.

On 6 July 2025, a woman was severely injured in the arm after being attacked by a lion at the zoo.{{Cite news |last=McGuirk |first=Rod |date=7 July 2025 |title=A lion attacks a woman in an Australian zoo, severely injuring her arm |url=https://apnews.com/article/australia-lion-attack-arm-darling-downs-zoo-14534dee2316f0b0fa4cc74c8084630c|access-date=7 July 2025 |work=AP News}}

Species

Species at the zoo from different regions (continent alphabetical below) include:

;Africa

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;Americas

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;Asia

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;Australasia

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;Eurasia

Photos

{{multiple image

| align = centre

| image1 =Red-handed_Tamarin_at_Darling_Downs_Zoo,_Queensland,_Australia.jpg|thumb

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| caption1 =Red-handed tamarin at the zoo

| image2 =White_Lions_at_DDZ.jpg|thumb

| caption2 =White-coated African lions at the zoo

| image3 =Whiptail_Wallaby_at_DDZ.jpg|thumb

| caption3 =Whiptail wallaby at the zoo

| image4 =African_Serval_at_Darling_Downs_Zoo.jpg|thumb

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| caption4 =Serval at the zoo

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References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://www.darlingdownszoo.com.au/}}
  • [https://www.abc.net.au/landline/country-zoo/7980138 Country Zoo]. Landline, Woodward, Jenny (29 October 2016). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 January 2021.

{{Zoos of Queensland}}

Category:Darling Downs

Category:Zoos in Queensland

Category:Tourist attractions in Queensland

Category:Zoos established in 2005