Playing in the snow: a taste of winter wonderland for Aussie Ark animals

The Advertiser

10-06-2025

SNOW dusted across the Barrington Tops on Monday afternoon, turning the Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary into a winter wonderland for its animals.
Hand-raised rufous bettong, Buttercup, had a quick play in the alpine conditions before she and Parma Wallaby, Petey, were moved into indoor enclosures where they could stay warm and protected.
Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid said while the snow wasn't deep, the strong winds and steady flurries created dramatic, alpine-like conditions that lasted well into the evening.
He said the Tasmanian devils took it all in stride, relishing the icy change - a climate not unlike their native Tasmania.
Just last week the sanctuary welcomed 10 new, healthy Tassie devil joeys.
"A dusting of snow like this is exactly what our Tasmanian devils love; they come alive in these conditions," he said.
"Watching them explore and enjoy the snow is a special reminder of how well-adapted they are to this environment."
Mr Reid said rangers prepared and fed animals for a comfortable night ahead and dry straw was added to provide warm bedding where needed.
"Dry straw gives the animals extra insulation against the cold. It was a calm, coordinated response from a team experienced in managing wildlife through the extremes of the Australian bush," he said.
The snowfall followed severe flooding that affected the sanctuary just weeks earlier.
National parks, including the Barrington Tops, remain closed until further notice. The public is urged to avoid affected areas.
Gale-force winds swept across the Hunter over the King's Birthday long weekend, bringing icy temperatures and damaging weather.
SNOW dusted across the Barrington Tops on Monday afternoon, turning the Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary into a winter wonderland for its animals.
Hand-raised rufous bettong, Buttercup, had a quick play in the alpine conditions before she and Parma Wallaby, Petey, were moved into indoor enclosures where they could stay warm and protected.
Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid said while the snow wasn't deep, the strong winds and steady flurries created dramatic, alpine-like conditions that lasted well into the evening.
He said the Tasmanian devils took it all in stride, relishing the icy change - a climate not unlike their native Tasmania.
Just last week the sanctuary welcomed 10 new, healthy Tassie devil joeys.
"A dusting of snow like this is exactly what our Tasmanian devils love; they come alive in these conditions," he said.
"Watching them explore and enjoy the snow is a special reminder of how well-adapted they are to this environment."
Mr Reid said rangers prepared and fed animals for a comfortable night ahead and dry straw was added to provide warm bedding where needed.
"Dry straw gives the animals extra insulation against the cold. It was a calm, coordinated response from a team experienced in managing wildlife through the extremes of the Australian bush," he said.
The snowfall followed severe flooding that affected the sanctuary just weeks earlier.
National parks, including the Barrington Tops, remain closed until further notice. The public is urged to avoid affected areas.
Gale-force winds swept across the Hunter over the King's Birthday long weekend, bringing icy temperatures and damaging weather.
SNOW dusted across the Barrington Tops on Monday afternoon, turning the Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary into a winter wonderland for its animals.
Hand-raised rufous bettong, Buttercup, had a quick play in the alpine conditions before she and Parma Wallaby, Petey, were moved into indoor enclosures where they could stay warm and protected.
Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid said while the snow wasn't deep, the strong winds and steady flurries created dramatic, alpine-like conditions that lasted well into the evening.
He said the Tasmanian devils took it all in stride, relishing the icy change - a climate not unlike their native Tasmania.
Just last week the sanctuary welcomed 10 new, healthy Tassie devil joeys.
"A dusting of snow like this is exactly what our Tasmanian devils love; they come alive in these conditions," he said.
"Watching them explore and enjoy the snow is a special reminder of how well-adapted they are to this environment."
Mr Reid said rangers prepared and fed animals for a comfortable night ahead and dry straw was added to provide warm bedding where needed.
"Dry straw gives the animals extra insulation against the cold. It was a calm, coordinated response from a team experienced in managing wildlife through the extremes of the Australian bush," he said.
The snowfall followed severe flooding that affected the sanctuary just weeks earlier.
National parks, including the Barrington Tops, remain closed until further notice. The public is urged to avoid affected areas.
Gale-force winds swept across the Hunter over the King's Birthday long weekend, bringing icy temperatures and damaging weather.
SNOW dusted across the Barrington Tops on Monday afternoon, turning the Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary into a winter wonderland for its animals.
Hand-raised rufous bettong, Buttercup, had a quick play in the alpine conditions before she and Parma Wallaby, Petey, were moved into indoor enclosures where they could stay warm and protected.
Aussie Ark operations manager Dean Reid said while the snow wasn't deep, the strong winds and steady flurries created dramatic, alpine-like conditions that lasted well into the evening.
He said the Tasmanian devils took it all in stride, relishing the icy change - a climate not unlike their native Tasmania.
Just last week the sanctuary welcomed 10 new, healthy Tassie devil joeys.
"A dusting of snow like this is exactly what our Tasmanian devils love; they come alive in these conditions," he said.
"Watching them explore and enjoy the snow is a special reminder of how well-adapted they are to this environment."
Mr Reid said rangers prepared and fed animals for a comfortable night ahead and dry straw was added to provide warm bedding where needed.
"Dry straw gives the animals extra insulation against the cold. It was a calm, coordinated response from a team experienced in managing wildlife through the extremes of the Australian bush," he said.
The snowfall followed severe flooding that affected the sanctuary just weeks earlier.
National parks, including the Barrington Tops, remain closed until further notice. The public is urged to avoid affected areas.
Gale-force winds swept across the Hunter over the King's Birthday long weekend, bringing icy temperatures and damaging weather.