Currumbin Sanctuary staff “eggstatic” over new arrivals
THERE might not be any dirty nappies to change but the baby boom at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary means there is no rest for sanctuary staff with their new arrivals ruffling up a few feathers.
Spring has brought a flock of chicks to the sanctuary and dozens of eggs waiting to be hatched in incubation where staff can keep a close eye on them, Bird Supervisor Clancy Hall said.
The eggs are from a variety of species including the first nest of 16 Freshwater Crocodile eggs in several years , Knob Tail Geckos, Boyd's Forest Dragons and a mystery chick brought to the sanctuary hospital as an egg that is still too young to identify.
"This is a very exciting time as we get to watch as the embryos develop in the eggs," Ms Hall said.
Ms Hall has been caring for the gouldian finch chicks, which are endangered in the wild, and the macleay's fig parrot chicks born three weeks ago.
They will go on display in the new year in an enclosure near the entrance that is home to last year's chicks.
"This is the best time of year to be a zoo keeper because it's all systems go as everything is breeding," Ms Hall said.
"We are worked off our feet as we are trying to create the perfect environment for our animals to breed."
The Sanctuary is particularly excited about the 17 Mary River Turtle eggs they have in incubation as they are an endangered species, local to south east Queensland and Currumbin is one of only a few institutions that breed them.
The sanctuary has had a very successful year with the prickly arrival of four echidna puggles three months ago, the largest number that any institution has bred in captivity.
It is an achievement the sanctuary is very proud of as echidna's secretive breeding habits make them very difficult to breed in captivity.
"We are really excited that we have been able to contribute so much to the zoo industry," Ms Hall said.
"I work here definitely for the love of it and it is such a rewarding job.
"I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to work with animals everyday."
