Feeding a lioness at Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
If you had told me a few months ago that I would feed a lion while holding my three month old babe in arms I wouldn’t have believed you. On our recent trip to Hobart and surrounds I expected to be exposed to Australia’s convict history and beautiful scenery not up-close experiences with African animals. Our family has visited many zoos and wildlife parks but never have we laughed as much, and had as much fun at one as we did at Zoo Doo Wildlife Park. The reason – the opportunity for animal interaction provided by the park.
Emu feeding at Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
Zoo Doo Wildlife Park is home to exotic, agricultural and native Australian animals. Animals at Zoo Doo Wildlife park are housed in large enclosures, many of which we accessed in the parks safari bus. “Good Luck” were the only words offered by our guide as we parked in our first stop, a large paddock. With incredible speed our truck was surrounded by emus and ostriches, all competing for the feed each of us held in our hands. My three year old was fearless – holding his container out for every bird that came his way. Once the rest of us overcame our shock at the feathered assault we joined in.
Ostrich Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
As well as giant birds the safari bus took us into enclosures where we fed camels and zebras. Only adults were allowed to feed the zebras as they are apparently a cranky breed – perhaps hubby isn’t quite old enough as he didn’t exercise due care and received a zebra nip as a consequence.
Camel Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
Zoo-keepers at Zoo Doo are excellently informed about their charges, and being less busy than other zoos we had been to meant question time was languerous. As well as a bucket load of important scientific animal facts we learnt that Tasmanian Devils have particularly bad table manners (disgusting), and meerkats in person are as cute as they appear in all the television advertisements that use footage of them for that very reason.
Meerkat Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
Meerkat feeding time Zoo Doo Wildlife Park
The kids also enjoyed hands on with snakes and perentie (giant lizards) and a host of farmyard animals such as pigs, chooks and rabbits. The kangaroo and wallaby feeding was the best we have come across anywhere as the marsupials weren’t overfed as they often are due to large tourist numbers – and all, including albino wallabies wanted to be fed.
Zoo Doo Wildlife Park is located 6 km from the beautiful historic village of Richmond, and a half an hour drive from Hobart. Families visiting Hobart – this is a must do for you.
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