Mogo Wildlife Park’s Chad Staples reflects on fires two years on

Selfless zookeepers, led by wildlife warrior Chad Staples, didn’t hesitate to jump in and save animals surrounded by raging flames at Mogo Widlife Park during the Black Summer bushfires.

It has been two years since New Year’s Eve bushfires surrounded Mogo Wildlife Park leaving staff to battle flames and shelter animals.

Zookeeper and managing director, Chad Staples, was living onsite when evacuation orders were called for Mogo at 6am on December 31, 2019.

“I started just getting hoses running on all the dry grass areas around the zoo. And didn’t really know who else would show up,” he said.

Without the support of fire trucks, 15 committed zookeepers joined Mr Staples onsite to protect the park.

This photo taken by Chad Staples of fires threatening Mogo Wildlife Park went viral.

“That was so amazing, they all live in the area, they have houses and families but they came here to help their animal family so that was unbelievable,” he said.

By noon, the sky was black and fires raged towards the park’s perimeter.

“We had two vehicles that had tanks on the back of them and we would drive around the zoo,” Mr Staples said.

“Also, spotters would walk around just constantly looking for fires that started so we could put them out before they got big.”

Small animals including monkeys and red pandas were moved to Mr Staples’s onsite property, while the more dangerous animals, including big cats and gorillas, stayed cool and protected in their night bedrooms.

“They were far more hidden from what we were having to do out in the zoo,” he said.

After a photo of the giraffe enclosure shrouded in smoke went viral the wildlife park “became a symbol of what happened” in Mogo.

Chad Staples, from Mogo Wildlife Park, feeding the giraffes a year after the New Year's Eve bushfires threatened the park and its animals. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The hard work and determination of staff ultimately saved all animals and the property after five days of fire threat.

“If I had been alone the place would have been lost, it couldn’t have been done without everyone who was there that day,” Mr Staples said.

Other areas in Mogo weren’t so lucky with the South Coast bushfires destroying Gold Rush Colony and half the historical town.

“That was the second-largest business in the region apart from us and was lost,” he said.

“They have never returned, they are just gone.”

Members of the Mogo community took refuge at the wildlife park in the weeks that followed.

“I was letting people move into the houses here if they couldn’t get back to their home, people were living on site with their pets and belongings,” Mr Staples said.

“I also had people pitching tents and parking caravans, we were just getting food in the best way we could.”

Mogo Wildlife Park is hoping for a bumper summer season after years of natural disasters.

Every year a community day is held in February to remember the park’s reopening.

“We do cheap tickets for locals and put on a few bits and pieces, we really try and commemorate that happy day after it all,” he said.

In 2022, the event will be held on February 26.

After bushfires and Covid lockdowns, Mogo Wildlife Park is hoping for a good summer season although this year, even though the battle this time is La Niña rainfall.

“I never want to be too negative about rain but I hope it doesn’t rain too many days,” Mr Staples said.

“We really would like to be busy this summer holidays.”

Bega state Liberal MP Andrew Constance posted a message on his Facebook page on Thursday urging residents to stay strong.

“Tomorrow is a tough day for many,” he wrote.

“The memories are raw and it’s as if it happened only yesterday. The worst thing is what happened to so many post fires with trauma and pain that has left lifelong scars.

“We must take action so that it never ever happens again and there is a long way to go before we reach that point. I want to pay tribute to all those who did their best to keep us safe two years ago.”

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher also reacted to the anniversary of the bushfires.

“Please remember those doing it tougher than you and those still recovering from the bushfires. Reach out to your neighbour and check on them,” he said.