Published On: 02 Oct 2020

Meet Our Wildlife

A Day In The Life Of A Wildlife Keeper

Experience the life of our passionate and educational Wildlife Keepers for a day at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

There are more than a hundred reasons why our Wildlife Keepers love their job and walk around with a spring in their step. Working to ensure the many native species we look after are happy, healthy, protected and thriving is just one of them. They provide enrichment activities for their well being, nurture their nutrition and present valuable knowledge to the public.

Our commitment to animal welfare and wildlife preservation is what we stand for. With the help of the community, we can ensure our legacy carries on. And so, we invite you to come and visit us at our leafy oasis filled with our fury, feathery and scaly companions.

Conservation At The Sanctuary

With an escalating number of Australian wildlife species facing the dreaded possibility of extinction every day, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is working tirelessly to support projects which are, at present, conserving 15 endangered animal species. Thankfully, with the amazing work of our expert wildlife hero’s, we are a step closer to improving our natural ecosystem.

“THE SANCTUARY PARTICIPATES IN 15 CONSERVATION PROJECTS TO HELP SAVE SOME OF THESE AMAZING SPECIES FROM EXTINCTION"

Reptiles and Amphibians

Step Inside Our World

One of the key team members of our Reptile and Amphibian Conservation Project is Chris Halliwell whose fascination for wildlife animals began eight years ago when he began as a volunteer at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Chris joined us for a live Q & A to answer all of your questions virtually.

How long have you been involved with wildlife?

My love for wildlife started when I was really little. Rummaging through my parent’s backyard and encountering possums and other interesting animals really inspired me, so I decided to follow that as my career.

What inspired you to follow your passion for animals?

I have always been curious about our amazing animals in Australia. When I started learning the scientific aspect of animals, I began to see how human interactions can positively impact them. I thought maybe there’s a chance for me to make a difference. Now, I am able to educate people about animal behaviour through our Keeper Talks and live demonstrations which I have found truly leave an imprint and inspire others to do the right thing.

What is the most meaningful part of your role?

The most meaningful part of my job is releasing animals back into the wild. There are so many species that are struggling out there and this is our opportunity as the human race to make things right again. Educating the public about what we do as a sanctuary for the wildlife really gives me drive. If I can get across to one person every day one little thing that inspires them to change something in their life that benefits wildlife, then I feel like I am doing my job.

What are your three top tips for the broader community to make a difference for wildlife?

Educate yourself about wildlife so you understand their habits and behaviours. This helps us appreciate the animal and teaches us how to co-exist.
Make one simple change in your life. For example: stop using single use plastics.
Make your backyard animal friendly. Every animal has a right to wander.

What Conservation Programs are you involved in?

I am heavily involved in the Kroombit Tinker-Frog project. This species is really struggling in the wild. There is only a small surviving population at Kroombit Tops National Park, about 80km west of Gladstone Qld. They have been affected by the chytrid fungus and also by feral species. There are six species of tinkerfrog, all found in isolated pockets along the Qld coast. Two species of tinkerfrog are presumed extinct while the remaining species are some of the rarest animals in the world. The Sanctuary has a great breeding program working in conjunction with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services. We have high hopes for a great season ahead this coming Spring. The program is the first of it’s kind for the species.

Can you describe how you take care of the frogs and influence breeding?

Every day we check in on our frogs to keep a close eye on how their eggs are developing. We keep an ear out for calls from the male frogs and we monitor the weather as that plays a huge part in our breeding efforts. Lots of rainfall and low pressure systems really spruke the environment and influence the frogs mating season. This is when it starts to get really exciting for us as this is what we have been working years and years on behind the scenes.

Can you tell us how ticket sales contribute to the Conservation Project?

A portion of every ticket sold goes directly to our Conservation Projects. By having you guys come into the Sanctuary, it truly impacts the animals in a positive way. We are just at the beginning of what we can do. So please, if you see me at the Sanctuary, please stop me and ask any questions. I would be happy to help educate you on any of our wildlife.

If you could invoke one message of change about the conservation and preservation of wildlife, what would it be?

By making one small change, you can make the biggest difference to one small animal. It’s up to you to make an impact and influence the world around you. Think about what you’re doing and enjoy our amazing environment.