Foodworks’ fruit feeding furry and feathered friends

TWO large drums of fresh produce are reducing waste and feeding animals each week at the Ballarat Wildlife Park.

Since the park was closed mid-lockdown for two months, the cassowaries’ gold sponsor, Buninyong Foodworks have donated assorted fruit and vegetables that didn’t sell in-store.

Operations manager, Jared Mulholland said the fresh food is not only enjoyed by cassowaries, but tree kangaroos, kangaroos and wombats.

“We had no income during lockdown and our running costs were the same with feeds and power bills. It’s a really big help to us to have them on board,” he said.

“Fruit and veg are a huge part of their diets and there’s a big cost involved. Buninyong Foodworks are great people and it’s nice that they’ve decided to help us out in this extra way, as well as their sponsorship.

“They also ran a colouring competition in their supermarket to help bring awareness to the wildlife park. We really appreciate them helping another local business.”

Lots of produce goes straight to Zena the cassowary, who eats around five kilograms of assorted fruit daily.

“She’s very picky,” Mr Mulholland laughed. “There’s certain things that some days she loves and others she doesn’t, so that’s why we give her such a big variety.

“Kombai, our tree kangaroo, he loves avocado. That’s one of his favourite treats. He’s such a noisy eater, chomping away on an avocado like a toddler. It’s a funny little sight to see.”

Mr Mulholland is grateful that sponsors of varying tiers steadily sign up to support the animals each week.

Over many years, for example, the park has also had a strong relationship with Wilsons Fruit and Vegetables.

“We’ve had a really great response. The funds go towards helping us continue to provide high quality care to all the animals, as well as their diet, enrichment items and veterinary supplies.

“It’s an ongoing program, helps people get an awareness about the animals they’re interested in, and they hear what’s going on in the park, like the births and events through the year,” he said.

Anyone interested in sponsorship can email [email protected].