The Rockhampton Zoo is located within the Botanic Gardens and can be accessed via Spencer or Ann Street, Rockhampton.

Miss B and Hammy have a new love nest!

Miss B and Hammy, our pair of Cassowaries living at the Rockhampton Zoo were transferred to their new enclosure late last week and the viewing deck has now been opened to the public.

Council’s Sport and Recreation Committee Chair, Cr Cherie Rutherford said the Zoo was closed to the public for a couple of hours last week so that Zoo staff could relocate the Cassowaries from their old enclosure to their new enclosures.

“The Cassowaries were walked through the zoo as this was less stressful and safer for them than putting them in crates,” Cr Rutherford said.

“This is a very exciting time for the Rockhampton Zoo, the new viewing platform was opened to the public earlier this week and the cassowaries are settling in well to their new home.

“The new rainforest enclosures are now on display from the visitor viewing deck which can be accessed from within the rainforest aviary.

“This is an important step for this endangered Queensland species following a recommendation from the Regional Zoo Association to breed from this pair.

“However cassowary courtship is not all sweetness and care as the pair have to be kept separate until the breeding season as serious fights may result from untimely introductions.

“So far all looks well with the birds showing a lot of interest in each other and obviously feeling quite relaxed in their new home.

“The construction of the enclosure has been taking place over the past year and is part of the Council’s new master plan for the upgrading of the zoo into habitat zones. “The new location of the cassowaries compliments the walk-through aviary and forms part of the Australian Rainforest zone.

“The enclosure, which cost $130,000 to construct, features a waterfall, ponds and mature Australian rainforest vegetation similar to the Cassowaries wild environment,” she said.

With only around 1800 cassowaries surviving in North Queensland, the establishment of a viable captive breeding program is of high importance.

Miss B and Hammy are a breeding pair and this new enclosure is an important step for Rockhampton Zoo's conservation program for this endangered Queensland species.