A handful of dingoes are relishing their new-look home at a Sunshine Coast zoo.
Simba, Nala, Sampson, Tully and Winter are enjoying life in their Wildlife HQ habitat, which was completely transformed in just five hours by scores of workers.
Landscaping supplier Aquascape Australia donated its time and expertise to make it possible, with more than 60 workers converging for an industry workshop.
Zookeeper Sue Tonga said the canines were making the most of new water attributes, including a 10m stream, large pond, waterfalls and rocks.
“The dingoes are loving the new feature and our visitors are too,” she said.
“The addition of the beautiful waterway has transformed the habitat and will be greatly enjoyed by our dingoes.
“It is the sixth water feature Aquascape have installed at Wildlife HQ.
“Our gibbons, siamangs, spider monkeys, African servals and capybara all have beautiful waterways in their habitats.”
Aquascape managing director and feature designer Patrick Handley said the new-look enclosure was a sanctuary for the dingoes.
“They can hop into the creek and hang out there, which will be perfect during summer, and there is a mound at the back that they can climb on to, because dingoes like to get up high sometimes,” he said.
The zoo is set to add more foliage and landscape to the enclosure, which is about 25m by 35m.
The water project had an estimated cost of about $25,000 but, due to the donation of resources, the zoo was left with minimal expenses.
The creek has a membrane liner under it, while the rocks were carefully placed to assist ideal water flow.
“There’s no concrete in our constructions,” Mr Handley said.
“And the water is reticulating. It disappears under the ground (at the base) and is pumped back up to the top again and through a filter,” he said.
“You don’t see the equipment, just the effect.”
Dingoes in Queensland are protected inside designated areas including national parks, and are regarded as a restricted invasive animal elsewhere in the state.
“Dingoes are apex predators and play a critical ecological role in nature,” Ms Tonga said.
“They not only keep natural ecosystems in balance, but they also help regulate and suppress populations of feral pests such as rabbits, foxes and cats.
“This helps the survival of native species.
“Dingoes are sadly misunderstood and are still considered a pest species in Queensland.
“Consequently, they are under severe threat of eradication.”
Ms Tonga said dingoes could be found in a variety of habitats, from desert to lush rainforests, in all states except Tasmania.
“The dingoes at Wildlife HQ are important ambassadors for their wild cousins and our visitors love watching them play and relax in their habitat,” she said.
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