Caring for our critters: How you can help the Ballarat Wildlife Park

COVID-19 brought with it widespread financial devastation for many Victorian businesses with the Ballarat Wildlife Park being no exception.

According to its owners, the Ballarat Wildlife Park expenditure for animal welfare related products and services are near $46,000 for one month alone.

Without revenue from ticket sales and with government grants looking to dry up, the operators are finding it difficult to continue providing this level of care to its animals.

To lend out a helping hand, director of Small Dog Design Darren Collinson kick started a Go Fund Me page to raise essential funding to assist the Wildlife Park.

He has put out a call out for the local and wider community to support the cause and said any kind of donation will help.

“At our business, we’ve been doing as much as we can to help out other local businesses, doing what we can,” he said.

“We’ve been working with the Wildlife Park for around six years and I’ve been taking my kids there for years, so it’s close to our heart because it’s a wonderful place.

“Right now, they’re managing okay so the animals aren’t going without, but they are pouring everything they’ve got into keeping the zoo going.”

Although the future remains unclear, owners of the park are hopeful about welcoming visitors back at some point.

Owner Greg Parker said while they are proud of Ballarat’s support, the most important thing is being able to get locals and tourists back in, interacting with the animals.

“The support from Darren and the community so far is very appreciated,” he said.

“These are difficult times, this is our second lockdown, with no avenues of income and large overhead costs which nothing can be done about.

“It’s frightening because I don’t think there will be a second round of funding, there’s no sign of them extending that for another two quarters.”

Life support systems including heating, filtration systems, food, veterinary services and equipment is just a start on animal welfare systems the park has in place.

Because of the high quality of care provided to their animals, Mr Parker said once you start adding up the costs they quickly escalate.

“It’s a very expensive business and you don’t realise it so much until your income is pulled away,” he said.

“What so many people don’t realise is having the animals on show is only the tip of the iceberg.

“There’s so much work done behind the scenes that benefits the environment and the future of our world populations.”

To donate to Mr Collinson’s Wildlife Park Go Fund Me page, search at gofundme.com.