Wildlife Habitat Day set to celebrate local conservation
HABITAT DAY
BUSINESS FEATURE
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes to protect our local wildlife and their habitats? Want to get up close with native animals, and maybe even help name a koala joey? Wildlife Habitat Day on Thursday, July 10, 2025, is your chance to dive into the wild and find out.
Families, nature lovers, and curious minds are invited to this full-day celebration at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, showcasing the incredible animals of our region and the conservation efforts working to protect them.
Now in its inaugural year, Wildlife Habitat Day was created to bring the community closer to nature and deepen awareness about the wildlife and ecosystems that surround us.
Assistant General Manager Sybella Salter said Wildlife Habitat Day was a natural extension of the park’s mission.
“At Wildlife Habitat, aside from being an eco-accredited, immersive Australian wildlife exhibit, we strive to educate our visitors about the importance of wildlife conservation and the impact of our daily actions on the environment,” she said.
“The idea of Wildlife Habitat Day came up fairly naturally, with our growing efforts to spread the word even further.”
The event is designed to raise awareness about threatened species and support local organisations on the front lines of rescue and rehabilitation.
It will feature hands-on activities, live talks, and educational displays from guest organisations, including Tangaroa Blue, Green Food Australia, Daintree Life, Wet Tropics Wildlife Rescue, and Douglas Shire Council.
One of the day’s biggest highlights is the announcement of a name for the park’s newest resident; a koala joey.
“Having a little koala joey is always so special,” Ms Salter said.
“Coincidentally, July 10 is also our koala mum Lulu’s birthday. But that was a true coincidence!”
Other highlights include a kids’ dress-up competition and parade, wildlife triage lessons, hopscotch, seed-planting workshops, and gift bags for the first 150 children through the gates.
All attendees will also go in the draw to win one of three Douglas Shire eco-experience prize packages.
Funds raised on the day will go toward purchasing a commercial washing machine for the Tropical Animal Rehabilitation Centre (TARC), which operates on-site at Wildlife Habitat.
The upgrade is part of a larger animal care initiative, currently also supported by a grant application.
Special guests from TARC will also be on hand to offer practical advice, such as what to do if you find injured wildlife, how to protect native species from domestic pets, and even how to build your own frog hospital or prepare a car rescue kit.
Sybella says the event is all about inspiring people to care for the world around them in simple, actionable ways.
“We hope people leave with an even greater appreciation for our wildlife and the environment we live in, and they learn easy ways to help protect both,” she said.
“They’ll also get to meet the new joey, take home a goodie bag, gain some knowledge, and help us raise funds for TARC. Hopefully, they might even win one of our amazing prizes!”
And what is she most excited about?
“All of the above!” she laughed. “Being able to share our passion and love for our region and its wildlife, that’s what it’s all about.”
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