3 minute read
Reptiles for Miles
Photos Gary Sissons
Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park in Pearcedale opened its new reptile centre on Thursday, 4 July. The sanctuary’s newest attraction includes venomous snakes, pythons, a freshwater crocodile, green tree frogs, and a range of lizards in purpose-built reptile habitats.
Each habitat in the new reptile centre has been designed to cater to the specific needs of its inhabitants, with precise requirements for temperature, humidity, water quality, and lighting. The centre has seven climate-controlled zones that provide basking, climbing, and camouflage areas. The enclosures replicate southeastern bushland, Central Australia, and the scrubland of Western Australia.
The sanctuary’s owner and director Michael Johnson said, “our reptile centre represents a significant milestone in our mission to inspire and educate our guests about the critical role amphibians and reptiles play in our ecosystems.” “This new space highlights some of Australia’s wildlife that don’t always receive a lot of love but are crucial to our ecosystems. It allows us to continue our mission of strengthening the bond between humans and wildlife by providing access and education around a great range of fascinating reptiles and fostering an appreciation for them,” he said.
Michael’s interest in wildlife developed as a child and he recalls a fascination with books by British naturalist and zookeeper Gerald Durrell, particularly on the subject of endangered species. This passion continued well into adulthood, but it wasn’t until 1998 that he decided it was time to dedicate himself to conservation work. He then found the 10-acre site at Pearcedale and began to build Moonlit Sanctuary. He imagined a place where people could experience firsthand the rare and unusual animals that roam the Australian bush, especially the many species that no longer live locally.
Much more than a petting zoo, Moonlit Sanctuary focuses on educating the public about Australia’s native animals and is also involved in a number of successful conservation programs. Each animal within the park has been hand-picked to fulfil his lifelong desire to help halt the rapid extinction of animal species in Australia.
Moonlit Sanctuary has come a long way from its humble beginnings back in 2001, when the sanctuary first opened offering solely moonlit tours. Over 20 years later, the park is now open daily and a whopping 100,000 visitors pass through its gates each year.
Guests can not only learn about endangered and threatened species through daytime visits or by participating in one of the moonlit tours, but they can also get up close and personal in one of thirteen exclusive animal encounters or tours offered daily.
