Billabong Sanctuary marks its 35th birthday with staff and their 200 Australian native animals
An iconic Townsville tourist destination has reminisced on the last three decades while marking its coral anniversary. SEE THE CUTE ANIMALS CELEBRATE >>
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An iconic Townsville tourist destination has reminisced on the last three decades while marking its coral anniversary with their furry and feathered friends.
Billabong Sanctuary celebrated its 35th birthday yesterday with staff and more than 200 Australian native animals, broadcasting the bash on their Facebook page.
Jacko, the 65y-year-old sulphur-crested cockatoo, has been with the sanctuary since the beginning and enjoyed ripping apart some birthday decorations.
Park owner Bob Fleming said he believed the secret to the wildlife park’s longevity was its traditional values.
“Townsvillians don’t regard it as a tourist attraction, they regard it as their own wildlife sanctuary,” he said.
“We have generations coming back who came here as kids that come back with their children.”
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The sanctuary will hold a “mammoth birthday party” when the wildlife park reopens with a cake big enough to feed their several thousand club members.
Mr Fleming said a few things had definitely progressed over the past three decades.
“When I used to do crocodile shows here 35 years ago, I used to do them by myself so if you got into trouble you would be relying on one of the members of the audience,” he said.
“These days, regulations have changed and if you are doing a crocodile presentation with a male and female, you need three of you in the enclosure.”
Originally published as Billabong Sanctuary marks its 35th birthday with staff and their 200 Australian native animals