Close Ad

Australian Zookeeper Saves Animals From Terrible Fires By Taking Them Home
Australian Zookeeper
Uplifting News

Australian Zookeeper Saves Animals From Terrible Fires By Taking Them Home

Australia has been ravaged by bushfires, killing half a billion animals but the Mogo Wildlife Park zookeeper did everything to protect his.

Right now, horrific fires are ravaging Australia, having claimed 24 human lives so far, but also killed 500 million precious animals. That’s an incalculable and disastrous loss to the ecosystem, but brave souls are rising from the ashes to do anything and everything they can to help, and inject hope to what feels like a rather hopeless situation.

The Mogo Wildlife Park rose to the challenge

The Mogo Wildlife Park on the South Coast of New South Wales, Australia, which is 10 minutes from Bateman's Bay (an area severely damaged by the bushfires), is home to nearly 200 endangered and exotic animals. Its fauna hosts Sumatran tigers and southern white rhinos, and also boasts the largest collection of primates in Australia.


The animals seemed to be in a state of peril as thousands of people in the surrounding area started to evacuate, but the zookeepers came up with a rather surprising, but genius plan to save every single animal in the zoo.

He could not leave them behind

Chad Staples, director of the zoo, told the Australian Broadcasting Company that the whole team was prepared, as they had a fire defense plan. Since everyone in the zoo loved the animals "like their family," they all mobilized to put the plan in motion.

Any species of animal that was small enough, or was in an area we couldn't protect, we caught up. Right now in my house there's animals of all descriptions in all the different rooms with different pet packs so that they're safe and protected.

Chad Staples to ABC

That’s right, animals ranging from monkeys to red pandas, and even a tiger, were moved into Staples' home to protect them from the fires. Their efforts were successful, as Chad recounted: "Due to the amazing staff here and a well-executed plan, no one is hurt, not a single animal."

They made it work despite the danger

Staples also mentioned that zookeepers felt it was safer to keep larger and more dangerous animals like lions and gorillas in their night enclosures. This is where they felt more comfortable.

"We've been sitting in a plume of smoke for weeks now, so it wasn't like today set that off worse. But yes, there were times that it got a bit tense," he told the ABC

The zoo confirmed that every animal was "safe and in wonderful care."

The employees of the Mogo Wildlife Park have shown exceptional courage, determination and solidarity by joining together to save the animals from what could have been a terrible fate.

While tragedies can cause lasting damage to people and the environment, they also bring people together and prove that we can overcome almost anything when we stick together.

What can you do to help?

  • The Australian Red Cross is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.
  • GIVIT is an Australian organization that matches donated goods with items that are specifically requested by victims of the fires.
  • NSW Rural Fire Service: donations are being accepted for emergency efforts and nonemergency community work.
  • Save the Children is collecting donations to build “child friendly spaces,” where kids can play together and talk about their experiences in a supportive environment. Donate to them here.
  • Port Macquarie Koala Hospital is still taking donations for drinking water stations in areas burned by wildfire and also to create a wild koala breeding program. According to estimates, more than 8,000 koalas may have been killed by the fires.
  • If you live in Australia and have a spare bed, get connected to a person who could use it through Find A Bed. Fill out this Google form checklist with all the details about what you can offer and for how long.

Hot Stories

Leonardo DiCaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go”
Leo Dicaprio Told Kate Winslet To “Let The Fat Girl Thing Go” …

Forced to feel ashamed for her weight and appearance, Kate Winslet struggled with her body image for years. The media loved to tease her for being “the fat girl,” but there was ONE PERSON who saw the real her. What did Leo see in Kate? And what important message does Kate have for young women everywhere?


Keep ReadingShow less
Videos
Dr Dre points up at text that says 25 rapper quotes to motivate you
Goalcast

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musicians
Man sitting in a wheelchair and a man crying, with text overlay "Dead serious man..."

Man on the Street Offers Quarter to Stranger in Need

TikTok/ @mdmotivator

When an influencer approached a man on the street asking for money one day, he thought he would help him out with a generous gift. What he didn’t count on was an uplifting message to the rest of the world.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News