Animal Business as Usual

Although zoos and wildlife parks around the globe have been temporarily closed because of the coronavirus lockdown, it’s life as usual for the residents of Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville, Queensland.

Owner Bob Flemming says his staff have plenty to do, and are maintaining the normal routines of the sanctuary’s 200 animals. This includes the daily bird shows.

Bird manager Elyse Thomas says the bird show is still running without spectators because if the birds stop flying, even for a week, there could be a decline in their behaviour.

The park learned a lot about animal behaviour following the ten-week shutdown caused by Cyclone Yasi in 2011. Flemming says it became very clear that animals appreciate routine, attention and visitors.

So, the koalas get hugs, the wombats get back scratches, and the pythons and crocodiles are brought out and handled. “Sometimes the koalas walk up to us to demand cuddles,” Thomas says.