A local wildlife carer is helping to shine the spotlight on Zambi Wildlife Retreat so it can raise funds to develop its public area for innovative new programs.
Bilpin’s Dannii Warner is an animal carer at the retreat, located in Walacia, which rescues, rehabilitates, re-homes and offers shelter to a wide range of species.
“We are developing our public area and hope to be open for innovative group and educational visits in the near future,” Ms Warner said.
“While our focus will be on exotic animals needing retirement from zoo breeding programs, circuses and private ownership, we will also provide care and shelter to domestics, farm animals and native wildlife.
“At present we are working towards building a tiger and puma enclosure that will offer a bigger and individualised design for the big casts who will live there. Aspects such as a swimming pool for the water loving tigers and elevated sunning platforms are a few of the many inclusions within this inspiring new environment.
“A new lion habitat is also a possibility too once we reach our current goals. We are hoping to raise some more much needed funds from the kindness of the public and hope our lion-hearted friends out there will dig deep.”
Zambi has a variety of animals in its care, ranging from pigs and monkeys, to lions, tigers, birds, snakes, horses, lizards, sheep and a beautiful puma, Kota.
“The sanctuary is managed by passionate, highly qualified staff and volunteers who ensure the health, safety and dignity to all animals in our care,” Ms Warner said. “Animal carers offer quality care through a providing a balanced diet and the best veterinary care from our amazing vet Rob Zammit.
“Animals are also offered a species-specific enrichment program as to encourage natural behaviours and keep the animal stimulated, which is of extreme importance in a captive environment.”
Enrichment can consist of changes in an animal’s physical space such as a new platform or barrel, various toys, and in the hotter months blood ice blocks.
“Most recently the big cats had watermelons to investigate and giant boxes to sit in and the monkeys were given new rope ladders and swings,” she said..
”The more enclosures we can build will enable us to take in more animals and our aim is to provide loving and forever homes for all our furry, feathered and scaled creatures that are in need.”
Those who would like to make a donation to the big cat habitat can go to zambiwildliferetreat.com.au and click the donate button.
The retreat is also looking for those with building skills to donate a bit of their time to the cause. Email Donna at donna@zambiwildliferetreat.com.au.
