The white rhino is affectionate and enjoys a good scratch. A close encounter with the white rhino is a highlight of the Wildlife Sunset Tour. Photo: Mogo Wildlife Park.
Until the end of March, people can have an intimate and personalised tour of Mogo Wildlife Park after it has closed to the public.
Among the wildlife park’s wonderful collection of endangered, exotic, and native species are the white rhino, two female baby giraffes born on 27 and 31 December, and a red panda who gave birth on 6 January.
The Wildlife Sunset Tours are only offered on Saturdays at 4:30 pm and run for about 90 minutes. A maximum of 20 people can book.
Zookeeper Chad Staples said the things you got to do on the tour were “pretty amazing”.
“You are there on your own, so it is a much more intimate experience.”
People who do the sunset tours will see many of the animals at their most active. Many species are most active at dawn and dusk and rest in the middle of the day. Once the temperature cools down in the afternoon, their activity levels change.
Because the animals are not used to having visitors after the wildlife park has closed, it will be something different for them too.
“Just like we like people watching, so do they,” Mr Staples said.
He said people most enjoyed having the park to themselves and talking to one of the 15 zookeepers who were happy to chat about anything. “It is almost tailoring the walk to them.”
The highlight for Mr Staples though is the up-close encounter with Jabari, the 10-year-old white rhino.
“There is something about megafauna, their grandeur,” he said. “I still can’t help but be in awe when I am in front of him.”
He said rhinos were like big dogs and they played with toys. Jabari’s favourite thing is playing in the mud bath.
“They can be very affectionate, love a good scratch, and have a great relationship with their keepers,” Mr Staples said.
Mogo Wildlife Park has been blessed with three very special births this summer.
Two female giraffes were born within four days of each other.
Thanks to a wonderful mothers’ group and experienced mothers, the two giraffe calves are confident and calm. Photo: Mogo Wildlife Park.
The giraffes tend to give birth after 16 months, but it can vary two weeks on either side.
“We knew we were close to them giving birth, but it is always a surprise, the second one more so,” Mr Staples said. “We had just had one birth, so we weren’t thinking about the second.”
The baby giraffes have a wonderful mothers’ group of a grandmother, aunts and sisters. This is reflected in the baby giraffes’ confidence.
“They feed off how calm the rest of the herd are,” he said. “The mums have done it before, so we get these calm beautiful calves.”
Mr Staples is delighted by the birth of a red panda a few days after the giraffes arrived.
Red pandas are very secretive animals so most of the keepers have only seen video footage of the new arrival as the mother changes nesting boxes. She is still carrying the baby around with her.
“They are just adorable. There is something endearing about their face and their colours,” Mr Staples said.
Red panda numbers are in decline around the world so every birth is significant. Photo: Mogo Wildlife Park.
“With their numbers in decline around the world, every birth is significant. Mum is doing a great job so we couldn’t be happier.”
Mr Staples has been a zookeeper for 28 years and births are one of the best parts of the job.
He constantly challenges himself to do better to meet the animals’ physical, mental, and emotional needs.
“Every day you have to tailor what you are doing for their needs, so no day is ever the same.”
The Wildlife Sunset Tour is suitable for all ages, making it perfect for families, couples and groups. It includes an Aussie barbecue dinner served while people enjoy watching the antics and acrobatics of the silvery gibbons. To book this unique and immersive experience visit the park’s website.
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