Short-beaked Echidna (Dame)
My name is Dame and I’m a beautiful, sweet-natured and inquisitive short-beaked echidna! I got my name Dame because I was named after the Aussie icon ‘Dame Edna’. I live in the front echidna habitat near admissions, and I love to spend time with my best friend Blue who is one of the younger female echidnas.
Sometimes I can be tricky to spot as, I do like to sleep under my favourite log, and dig down in the mulch to keep nice and cool. I’m easy to distinguish from the other echidnas here at Australia Zoo because the yellow spines on my tail have black tips.
I love to eat ants and termites, but my favourite food is meal-worms. Sometimes for a special treat, my keepers will hide meal-worms in a paperbark parcel and I’m very good at using my thick claws to rip these open quickly!
I have a very long tongue, about 18 centimetres in length! This is perfectly designed for getting my tongue into termite and ant nests. I have lots of personality and I just love meeting our Zoo guests! Make sure you drop by and say g’day!
Adoption Packages
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$50 Bronze Adoption
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$100 Silver Adoption
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$250 Gold Adoption
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$500 Platinum Adoption
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$10,000 Ultimate Adoption
Most of the inclusions in your adoption pack are online, meaning that your adoption is not only helping one of our animals, but the environment too!
All animal adoptions are a single payment and last for 12 months from the date of purchase. You can choose to renew your adoption after this time and continue your support of our animals and wildlife conservation efforts.
If you would like to contribute more than the specified adoption amounts, you are more than welcome to do so! Please contact us by email or phone to find out more.
Adopt an Animal
E: adopt@australiazoo.com.au
P: +61 7 5436 2000
* Each guest pass is valid for a single day entry only, to be used within 12 months of adoption purchase. For Gold, Platinum and Ultimate adoptions, guest passes can be used for multiple single day entries for one person, or single day entries for up to the specified amount of people. For Gold or Platinum adoptions, if you are unable to use the included guest passes you can opt to swap the guest passes for a plush toy animal.
^ The encounter is subject to availability and must be pre-booked. Restrictions based on age, group size, and specific animals apply. Please note that encounters with some animals are not possible due to health and safety regulations (they include: saltwater crocodiles, tigers, elephants, snakes and iguanas); an alternative animal encounter will be substituted.
Please note: While all of the animals available for adoption are usually on display at the Zoo and/or participate in encounters, adopting an animal does not guarantee the chance of seeing or meeting them if visiting the Zoo. Animal availability is subject to change; there may be times when animals may be temporarily off display due to unforeseen circumstances, such as veterinary check-ups or habitat maintenance. If booking one of our amazing animal encounters to meet your adoptee, please advise staff of the animal you adopt at the time of booking.
Animal adoptions and associated elements are non-refundable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.
It is important to note that adopting an animal does not provide a company or organisation license to promote Australia Zoo across their channels. If you desire to include in advertising and/or collateral including your website, further discussions will be required. If interested, please let us know and we can organise a meeting. Thank you again for your support!
*Please allow up to 3 weeks for the delivery of your gift pack, if applicable.