Animal encounters at fauna park

Jan 3, 2022

Up close: Visitors to the Kyabram Fauna Park can experience Australian wildlife first hand during an animal encounter.

Feeding time: The southern cassowary is one of the more unique animals at the fauna park and part of the up close and personal experience of an animal encounter.

Hanging out: Kyabram Fauna Park’s alpine dingoes are adept at posing for photographs.

Handle with care: While they are not everyone’s cup of tea, the reptiles of the fauna park often capture the attention of visitors.

Up close and personal animal experiences have become something of a speciality for the Kyabram Fauna Park as the tourist attraction moves further into the animal encounter space.

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General manager Lachlan Gordon said unique wildlife encounters with the park’s cassowary pair, dingoes and koalas were continuing to attract newcomers to the park.

“There are also small group encounters with a behind-the-scenes tour, educational talks from our qualified keepers and unique experiences with some of our most popular residents,” he said.

“Coming face-to-face with the world’s most dangerous birds, the cassowary, and being able to hand feed these modern-day dinosaurs a fruity feast while witnessing their power up close can be breathtaking.”

Gorge and Adelaide are the park’s two southern cassowaries, native to Queensland’s tropical rainforests. Southern cassowaries are ratites, an ancient group of flightless birds that also includes the emu, ostrich, kiwis and rhea.

The fauna park’s alpine dingoes, Dipa and Yula, also feature in the animal encounters — alongside the park’s iconic koalas.

Each encounter runs for about 20 minutes and costs $30 a person. Bookings are essential and can be made at reception, by calling 5852 2883 or emailing enquiries@kyabramfaunapark.com.au. Fauna Park members receive 10% off these encounters.

“We’re working hard to make Kyabram Fauna Park Northern Victoria’s premier wildlife park and these new encounters give people a unique experience and the opportunity to learn more about some of Australia’s magnificent wildlife,” Mr Gordon said.

The park also operates a Zoo Keeper for a Day program, with extremely limited availability for the holiday period.

"We have various dates running all holiday period and guests are encouraged to ring and book their budding zoo keeper in for the session. Zoo Keeper for a Day information is available on our Facebook page,“ Mr Gordon said.