Hang out with the wildlife this summer

WHILE the weather was not brilliant for getting out and about at the start of the new year, the team at Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation & Wildlife Education Centre is hopeful it will get better for the rest of the school holidays. 

Tehree Gordon has owned the five-acre park with her husband Hamish Gordon since 2005. 

Ms Gordon said until 31 January, the centre is offering a 10 per cent discount on family passes to see the native Australian animals, and said it is not just for kids. 

“The adults are always surprising,” she said. “We had a lady here one day when we were just doing tours and she said could you please open longer hours, I would just love to come and sit and listen and talk to the birds. 

“I’ve seen her here a couple of times, and the other day she brought a little picnic lunch and probably spent about four hours here because there’s lots of areas around in the gardens where you can just sit and chill out.” 

The team at Jirrahlinga was hoping to kick off an overnight experience to witness the nocturnal animals. 

However, Ms Gordon said the wet conditions have meant night encounters have been postponed until probably Easter.  

Management is also aiming to start tours specifically for people in aged care, like the company did when the business was based in Geelong. 

“We had a lady here last year who was 80 and was blind, and so we adjusted animal encounters for her and taught her how to look at the animals with her hands,” Ms Gordon said.  

Staff taught the lady how to touch the animals with plush toys first so she would know what to expect. 

“Her husband said don’t forget she’s blind, and I said your wife will actually see the koala better than you will,” said Ms Gordon. 

“After she then felt the real koala, she was able to tell him about the high cheekbones and the back and front end, you know.  

Entry to Jirrahlinga includes optional encounters with the reptiles, koalas, emus, echidnas, wombats, and dingoes, and Ms Gordon suggests bringing a picnic lunch.