Sponsor an animal, save the park

TO supplement its significant loss of income, The Ballarat Wildlife Park are offering sponsorships for each of the animals in their care.

Ballarat Wildlife Park operations manager Jared Mulholland said that this program has been a work in progress for over a year but came into action while they were forced to close during lockdown.

“We had been working on the program to have something so people could sponsor their favourite animal,” he said.

“It helps us out to provide the high-quality care we do to all the animals, it’s become a more important time than ever because we have had to close down to the public.

“Since we started it up in May, there’s been a huge response from businesses and people and all of our supporters.”

Overwhelmed by the communities willingness to help, Mr Mulholland said the park have signed up around 120 sponsors, a

number which is growing daily.

“It’s been really heart-warming considering it’s not just us who are doing it tough, it’s the people who are sponsoring us are most likely doing it tough as well,” he said.

“It means a lot to us that they still dig deep and help us and the animals out with this program.”

“It’s so nice to see the spirit of everybody over this time to still dig deep and help out businesses like us to provide what we do.”

The sponsorship money will provide a specific animal with treats, upgrades and enrichment while also going towards helping the park to survive.

Mr Mulholland said people can choose an any animal to sponsor from the 400 species that live within the park.

“The sponsorship money goes towards a range of things including feed bills, enrichment items which are really important for animal welfare and anything relation to their enclosure that we can upgrade,” he said.

“It’s just spilt between those areas and it helps us continue to do what we do.

“It’s a one-off payment and you will receive a pack and quarterly updates throughout the year of any exciting news to do with that sponsored animal.”

In addition to the sponsorship scheme, the Ballarat Wildlife Park are currently supported by a Go Fund Me page created by owner of Small Dog Design Darren Collinson.

Having raised over $16,000 for the park, Mr Mulholland said they’ve also experienced an outpouring of support for funds and items from the wider community.

“The fundraiser was a huge surprise to us, it was so nice for Small Dog to do that and sign up as gold sponsors as well,” he said.

“Buninyong Food Works have also signed up as a gold sponsor and they now donate their seconds’ fruit and veg to us.

“There’s been so many locals that have contacted with gum leaves for koalas because they’ve had a gum tree go down over night and a lot of other people contacting wanting to donate supplies for the animals.”

Although the sponsorships are more necessary than ever right now, Mr Mulholland said they will continue offering them for residents and the animals into the future.

“This program is something that we will continue for ever, it’s a great gift idea for Christmas and all of those occasions,” he said.

“Throughout the year for anyone wanting to learn a little more about their favourite animal and provide that care can sign up.”

For more information visit wildlifepark.com.au and to sign up for a sponsorship email [email protected].