Rescued animals get ready for their close up with the release of Maridan’s Menagerie’s 2021 calendar

After a challenging year treading on water, an animal sanctuary is keeping its chin up in anticipation for a promising 2021.

• Maridan’s Menagerie battle to meet feeding costs during COVID-19 pandemic
• Maridan’s Menagerie a sanctuary for rescued and unwanted animals

AFTER a challenging year treading water, an animal sanctuary is keeping its chin up in anticipation of a promising 2021.

Maridan’s Menagerie at Oak Valley currently cares for 60 rescued animals including camels, roosters, ducks, fish, turtles, sheep, pigs, goats and even a buffalo.

Co-founding director Dan Robson said he was struggling to keep up with the $1000 fortnightly feed bill after its fundraising open days were cancelled due to COVID-19.

“We have taken in very few animals this year because we haven’t had the revenue from our open days to take on animals,” he said.

“Our priority was to maintain and take care of the animals currently in our care.”

Dan and Marianne Robson with Scarlet, 6 months, with Latte the camel and other animals at Maridan's Menagerie at Oak Valley. Picture: Evan Morgan

The menagerie recently released its 2021 calendar with all proceeds going towards keeping the 20ha farm alive.

It is the third year the menagerie has released a calendar featuring an animal from the farm for every month.

After printing delays due to COVID-19, Mr Robson said he was hoping to sell 100 calendars.

“It is always hard to choose animals for the calendar because you obviously want to pick awesome photos but we also have to think whose story we are going to focus on,” he said. “We have a running joke with whoever makes the front cover also makes the back cover so this year we have three arses on the back.”

Calendars are available at maridansmenagerie.org

Originally published as Rescued animals get ready for their close up with the release of Maridan’s Menagerie’s 2021 calendar