How animals at Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat will stay safe in Cyclone Jasper

The Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat was eerily silent as staff arrived for work on Tuesday with the animals sensing the coming cyclone. This is how they are preparing.

The Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat was eerily silent as staff arrived for work on Tuesday with the animals sensing the coming cyclone.

General Manager Clare Hunt said dozens of staff had worked tirelessly to make sure the hundreds of animals that call the popular tourist attraction home would be safe during Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

General Manager Clare Hunt secures the animals at Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat before the arrival of TC Jasper. Picture: Liam Kidston

“There are half a dozen snakes in my office and I’ve got some bettongs about the turn up at the reception and a koala in the shop,” she said.

General Manager Clare Hunt secures the animals at Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat before the arrival of TC Jasper. Picture: Liam Kidston

“What we do with them (during the cyclone) is all very much about the welfare of each individual animal, we assess on species but then as individuals because they all have different personalities.

A satellite image showing Tropical Cyclone Jasper at 3.30pm on Tuesday, courtesy of Zoom Weather.

“Some prefer that human contact and others are content as long as they’re not in danger.”

Ms Hunt said some of the 500 animals were able to stay in their normal shelters with extra food, while others had been moved inside or even sent home with staff.

The aviary, normally filled with birdcalls, was eerily quiet on Tuesday.

“The silence has been really noticeable all day,” Ms Hunt said.

“They would absolutely be aware of the change in pressure.”

She also pointed out the dozen or so birds by the water’s edge, saying at that time of day, there would usually be about 200.

“They’re all sitting high in the trees taking cover,” she said.

Ms Hunt has worked at the Wildlife Habitat for 23 years and said it was hugely stressful worrying about the animals during a cyclone.

“As I say to my team, I worry about them too, we’re all a big family including the animals.

“You very much want to know everyone is safe and sound.

“There’s some really special animals here that are dear to all of us.”

Originally published as How animals at Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat will stay safe in Cyclone Jasper