Inside Tamborine Mountain retiree’s exotic animal menagerie that locals love

A former high-flying CEO is being dubbed “Dr Doolittle’’ after amassing a veritable Noah’s ark of exotic animals at his Gold Coast hinterland retreat in just a few weeks. SEE THE AMAZING COLLECTION

Some of the animals in John Taylor's amazing menagerie.

A former high-flying company CEO has tongues wagging after building up a jaw-dropping menagerie of exotic animals in just a few weeks at his Tamborine Mountain rural property.

John Taylor, a self-confessed high school dropout who went on to become a senior executive with a global business, said it had always been his dream to own animals after spending childhood holidays on his uncle’s farm.

After making a tree change recently, buying an 8ha property in the Gold Coast hinterland community, he began stocking it with a Noah’s ark of exotic animals.

He already has locals buzzing after moving the animals on to his property a few weeks ago.

The ostriches have settled in well.

One of the two water buffalo.

So far Mr Taylor estimated about 500 locals had dropped in for a peek.

His extraordinary collection, which has earned him the nickname Dr Doolittle, now included two camels, two ostriches, two elk, two buffalo, a macaw, eclectus parrot, five green tree pythons and six peacocks.

Two bison calves are on order from an Ipswich breeder and he planned to stock his dam with barramundi and Murray cod.

The menagerie includes six peacocks.

The two camels came from Beaudesert.

The two bison calves which will soon arrive.

“I was under so much stress when I was working. I’ve lived in Brazil, Russia, Korea, all over the joint, but this has always been my dream,’’ Mr Taylor said.

“I wanted native animals, but it’s very hard to get the permits so I started ringing around breeders in the area.

“The buffalo came from Maleny, the ostriches from around Toowoomba and the camels are from Beaudesert.

“I’d like a zebra but that would be pretty hard - no one breeds them here.’’

Retired Tamborine CEO John Taylor has had lots of locals dropping by.

Mr Taylor initially retired to Sanctuary Cove after a 30-year career.

He later sold up after becoming sick of restrictions on what homeowners were allowed to do with their properties and decided to move to Tamborine.

He said he ordered many of the animals while he was still getting the property fenced.

He planned to retain the remnant bush, but said there was plenty of cleared land for his menagerie to roam across.

“I get up at 3am every day to start the feeding. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to find a vet if the animals get sick or injured,’’ he said.

“It’s been a big learning curve.

“The question everyone asks is if it’s a money-making venture, but it’s just a hobby.

“Anyone is welcome to stop for a look and just today (January 18) I’ve had 20 mums and kids turn up.’’