Zoo steps up if animals face cruelty, extinction

Rebecca Roskilley and Jarrod Schenk with Tasmanian Devils... Wildlife HQ is open and ready to welcome visitors this school holidays.

Many visitors to the zoo at the Big Pineapple over past decades will no doubt remember it as a small, farmyard style of exhibit. But seven years ago, Wildlife HQ moved to the site and in that time have transformed the zoo into the world class animal conservation attraction that it is today. Wildlife HQ is now home to over 200 animals, with more than 100 species.

“Happily, our farm animals have been rehomed to bigger paddocks where they are very content and much loved,” said Supervisor  Rebecca Roskilley. “The animals that are here today come from Africa, South America, the US and we have Australian natives as well.”

Wildlife HQ is a member of the ZAA (Zoo and Aquarium Association). This means that it has been through a strident process of animal welfare accreditation which audits everything from temperature range to habitat.

“It is fantastic to be a member of ZAA because not only does it ensure our animals are cared for to the highest standards, but it also allows us to work in cooperation with other zoos around the world to safeguard various species from extinction,” Rebecca said.

“We recently received 3 Spider Monkeys from the Auckland Zoo, as they are about to embark on a breeding program with another zoo, and the boys needed to be rehomed. As the COVID restrictions continue to lift we will be welcoming a pair of White Cheeked Gibbons, which are critically endangered. The little boy is currently in Perth and the female will be flown in from France. It is a very exciting programme to be part of,” said Rebecca.

In recent weeks, 4 Radiated Tortoises were added to the zoo family after being seized from wildlife smugglers in Hong Kong. “These animals were part of the black market that unfortunately continues to trade around the world, and would have been killed for their meat and their shells, which are still used in eastern medicine,” said Rebecca. “It is incredibly cruel, and again, we are fortunate that we can play a part in rescuing animals from such situations.”

During the COVID lockdown, Wildlife HQ was forced to close to the public, but for the staff, the care of the animals is a labour of love. “In the early stages, our staff continued to care for our animals, even before the JobKeeper allowance had kicked in,” said CEO, Jarrod Schenk. “They were basically here on a voluntary basis. And we have also enjoyed incredible support from locals and local businesses. It would be very difficult to maintain the standards of what we do without it. We used the lockdown period to make all sorts of improvements around the zoo and it is looking amazing.”

If you are looking for a local wildlife experience to enjoy with your family these school holidays, Wildlife HQ is open and ready to welcome visitors. The lush, tropical grounds and happy animals are perfect for a post lockdown day with the family.