OH baby, see our native wildlife as you’ve never seen them — pint-sized, up close and personal, and very, very cuddly.
The Australian Reptile Park is in full bloom with a new generation of spring babies, including dingo pups Banjo and Bronte, baby koala June, Tasmanian devils Hank and Tank, and Baby Bear, a tiny rescued wombat.
All bottle-fed and hand-raised, the cute new arrivals are now ready to meet some adoring fans.
“Our shows are aimed at people being able to see the animals other than in an enclosure,” says park ranger Mick.
“It gives kids and their parents one on one time with keepers. You certainly can’t get it sitting on the lounge, you have to have that contact. It cultivates our future ambassadors.
“You can see them on TV, but it’s nothing like standing next to them. They are real, they’re not just something you see on TV and in a book.”
Located in Somersby on the Central Coast, the Reptile Park spans across 17ha of natural bush setting and leafy parklands.
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Koala June is fed milk formula by syringe every four to five hours, sleeping at Julie Mendezona’s home in her beanie bed created to replicate a pouch.
June even has a teddybear koala as a replica mother to teach her how to hold on. June’s mother Jill is over 12 years old and was unable to care for June, hence the need for Julie to step in as her surrogate mother.
Sisters Taylah and Eli Doyle cuddle up with dingo pups Bronte and Banjo. Picture: Sam RuttynSource:News Corp Australia
A baby American alligator born at the Australian Reptile Park. Picture: Sam RuttynSource:News Corp Australia
Australian Reptile Park general manager, Tim Faulkner, said giving people a hands-on experience, rather than staying behind an enclosure, was all important to teaching a conservation message.
“Our wildlife is so unique. We try not to change things too much, as they can’t adapt to that change,” he said.
“Every guest will enjoy meeting all the new spring babies, and alligator feeding season always provides a thrilling show. Keepers will be out roaming the park with Komodo dragons, dingo puppies, lizards, snakes, and native birds.
“We focus on Australian, native wildlife because that’s our passion.”
Originally published as Park gets biggest ever baby animal boom
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