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Conservation

Habitat Heroes Adopt an Animal

Here at the Wildlife Habitat, we are all about the natives!

Our focus is native animals endemic to the far northern region of Australia. From this Wet Tropics area comes some of the country’s most endangered and vulnerable species. When you adopt an animal and become a Habitat Hero, you will not only be helping your sponsored animal, you will also be helping us to assist with efforts to protect these native species.

When you adopt an animal, your contribution will also assist us with

  • Threatened species breeding programs
  • Animal husbandry
  • Food & exhibit maintenance
  • Vet requirements
  • Rehabilitation of native animals brought to our onsite Wildlife Care Centre


Our Wildlife Care Centre is funded by the generosity of The Woodward Family CaPTA Group and from donations from people like you. We take in sick, injured and orphaned native animals found in the surrounding community and brought to us by concerned citizens. We assist in the rehabilitation, veterinary provision and wild release of these animals.

For full Terms & Conditions for the Habitat Heroes program, please read below.

Be a Habitat Hero
Our beautiful Tia was born wild in approximately 2012.  She was orphaned and consequently rescued and taken to a sunshine coast wildlife hospital. She was placed with a registered carer for hand raising. Further checks on Tia revealed she had reproductive cysts. One successful operation later Tia was well, however due to the nature of the operation she is now sterile, and cannot be released back into the wild. She arrived here to Wildlife Habitat early in 2014. Tia likes to travel, and we let her come with us to some off site venues on occasions. When she is on site with us, she is a model! She is super photogenic and sits in her tree captivating her audience. Tia eats Eucalyptus and there are over 700 different species in Australia. However, of those 700, she will only eat 25, and of that 25, she may only eat the ones she knows – talk about fussy!!!! Your average koala will sleep for 18- 22 hours a day and Tia is no exception!

One of Wildlife Habitat’s greatest success stories was James, Jabbie and their family. Jabbie was wild born and rescued as a malnourished juvenile. James and Jabbie were the WORLDS only successful breeding program of these birds in captivity. This impressive pair of Black-necked storks had 18 offspring. The chicks have been sent out far and wide, with some relocating to South Australia, New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Unfortunately James passed away in August 2018.

Goliath, a true icon of Far North Queensland, has recently found a new home at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas after captivating audiences at Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. Aged between 60 and 70 years, Goliath’s journey began two decades ago when he was captured as a ‘problem crocodile’ near Cairns. Originally destined for a crocodile farm owned by Louis Vuitton, Goliath’s inability to co-habit with his girlfriends redirected him to Rainforest Dome, later known as Cairns ZOOM & Wildlife Dome. There, he not only became the star of the show but also the first animal of the attraction. With dimensions of 4.3m and a weight of approximately 500kg, Goliath, adorned with no scars except for a hole in the webbing of his back right foot, is now a living legend at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas.

Cassie really is a southerner! She was born in Adelaide in 1992. She arrived to us at Wildlife Habitat in April 1993.  It is believed that there is only about 4000 Southern Cassowaries left in the wild. Cassie has a lot of sass, and has a funky little walk that she was born with. She spends her days eating fruit and “booming” to Airlie, her male counterpart next door. Almost prehistoric looking, and related to emu’s and the ostrich, Cassowaries are not known for their beauty, but Cassie’s talents are vital in other ways. She is an essential part of germinating seeds to keep Rainforests growing. She can digest some fruits toxic to other animals, especially the Cassowary plum. It needs to pass through the digestive system of the Cassowary to be able to germinate. She is a woman of many talents!.

Ethan

The story of Ethan, our loveable Eastern Grey Kangaroo, certainly tugs at the heartstrings! After being ejected from his mother’s pouch at a mere 720 grams and enduring torment from wild birds, Ethan was found and hand-raised by one of our amazing Wildlife Keepers for 9 months. Requiring urgent medical treatment, four-hourly feeds, and around-the-clock care, he finally gained the strength and mobility to have supervised visits at Wildlife Habitat. He learned how to become independent, ensuring acceptance by our established mob of Kangaroos. Still bearing scars on his tail from the wild birds, he was given the name Ethan, meaning strength and endurance. Now, he takes pride of place in our Savannah habitat with all his mates.



Charismatic, Casanova, charmer and heart-breaker are just a few words to describe our lovable Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Max! An unwanted pet that was passed down to relatives, Max found himself caged and positioned far away from the house. As Max is a social bird and loves affection and human interaction, he became too noisy and irritable for his owners and surrendered to a bird rehabilitator in Townsville. They deemed him unsuitable for release as he was a heavily imprinted aviary bird. We were contacted in 2017 to see if Wildlife Habitat could provide him with a forever home where we could meet his psychological needs. The rest is history, as Max has fast become a favourite with keepers and guests alike, spending his days meeting and greeting guests from all over the country and world to Wildlife Habitat with his extraordinary social skills and loveable nature.

Acacia is just a little bit special to us. Not only is she beautiful, adorable and an endangered species, she is also a part of a population management program for the Australian Zoo Aquarium Association.  She is one of only a small population in captivity in the country. First documented in the 1800’s mahogany gliders were so rare to see in the wild, they went for nearly 100 years without being detected again.  Rediscovered in 1989, scientists realised that they weren’t extinct, but critically endangered. Their home in the wild is a narrow 122 km corridor in the Wet tropics south of Ingham – 300 km south of Port Douglas. Acacia has a little membrane that extends from her wrist to her ankle that helps her to “fly”. She is our little super hero in more ways than one! And for now, her home is with us!

Spotted-Tail Quoll

Meet our beautiful Spotted – tailed Quoll, Capone. Often referred to as a Tiger Quoll, the Spotted – tailed Quoll is the largest member of the Dasyurid family on mainland Australia. Numbers of this species have been greatly affected by feral animals such as dogs, cats, foxes and cane toads as well as destruction of habitats, making the Spotted Tailed Quoll an endangered species. Born in July 2022, Capone came to us from Victoria where he was part of the Australian Zoo and Aquarium Association managed species breeding program. A carnivorous animal, his diet ranges from insects, birds, eggs, small mammals and carrion, however his favourite food is big juicy grubs or grass hoppers. Capone is a well loved member of the Wildlife Habitat family. You may find him dipping his toe in his water on a hot day or sleeping in his hanging hollow log.



Quinton was born with us here at Wildlife Habitat in January 2012. He is one of our favourite babies. Quinton lost his mum to illness when he was very young, so he was intensively hand raised by our keepers. A handsome young man, he is bold, cheeky, flamboyant and naughty all at once.

Sponsorship Options

When you adopt an animal, your sponsorship is valid for 12 months from the commencement of the sponsorship.

You’ll receive your Care Package in the mail shortly after signing up to your sponsorship, or you can arrange to collect from Wildlife Habitat on your next visit!

Woodlands

$ 50 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Monthly Email
  • Wallpaper picture for your mobile device or computer
  • Special offers throughout the year

Billabong

$ 100 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Monthly Email
  • Animal Fact Sheet for your sponsored animal species
  • 2x Habitat Heroes bumper stickers
  • Special offers throughout the year

Savannah

$ 200 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Monthly Email
  • Animal Fact Sheet for your sponsored animal species
  • 2x Habitat Heroes bumper stickers
  • Special offers throughout the year
  • Photo of your sponsored animal
  • Wallpaper picture for your mobile device or computer

Wetlands

$ 500 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Monthly Email
  • Animal Fact Sheet for your sponsored animal species
  • 2x Habitat Heroes bumper stickers
  • Wallpaper picture for your mobile device or computer
  • Special offers throughout the year
  • 1x Family pass for entry + Breakfast with the Birds
  • 1x Feature Creature family photo
  • 1x Plush Toy of your sponsored animal

Rainforest

$ 1,000 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Monthly Email
  • Animal Fact Sheet for your sponsored animal species
  • 2x Habitat Heroes bumper stickers
  • Photo of your sponsored animal
  • YOUR Wildlife Habitat Breakfast with the Birds Experience (max. 4 people)
  • 1x Feature Creature photo per person
  • 1x Plush Toy of your sponsored animal
  • 10% off all purchases in Wildlife Habitat Gift Shop
  • Acknowledgement of sponsorship on Habitat Heroes website
  • Special offers throughout the year

Planet Earth

$ 5,000 Annually
  • Official Habitat Heroes Adoption Certificate
  • Wallpaper picture for your mobile device or computer
  • Monthly Email
  • Animal Fact Sheet for your sponsored animal species
  • 8 x Habitat Heroes bumper stickers
  • Photo of your sponsored animal
  • YOUR Wildlife Habitat Breakfast with the Birds experience (max. 8 people)
  • 1 x Feature Creature photo for each person travelling on the YOUR Wildlife Habitat tour
  • 1 x Plush Toy of your sponsored animal
  • 20% off all purchases in Wildlife Habitat Gift Shop

Here at Wildlife Habitat, we try to help the environment where we can. Where we are able, we will send parts of your care package online, thus not only helping our animals, but minimising the impact on our environment too.

All animal adoptions are valid for a 12 month period from date of purchase. You can choose to renew after this time if you wish to continue your valued support. Adoption payments can only be made with a single payment.

For Wetlands, Rainforest and Planet Earth adoptees, the upgrade component of the park ticket of food and beverage or a personalised tour is valid for day of initial entry only. The Entry component of the ticket is valid for the following 4 consecutive days. Tickets must be used within a 12 month period and cannot be rolled over or redeemed for cash. The entry for the amount of people allowed per ticket is directly associated with the amount of people allowed in the adoption package purchased. Animal adoption monies are non-refundable and non-transferable to other persons.

If you would like to contribute an amount greater than what is available on the website, or offer a corporate adoption, please contact us directly for assistance.

Sybella Salter
Assistant Manager
E: am@wildlifehabitat.com.au
P: +61 7 40 99 32 35

While most of our animals available for adoption are usually on display at the park (even the nocturnal ones at the right time!), not all are available for interaction. Adopting an animal does not guarantee the opportunity to see, meet, or interact with them when you visit the park.

There may be occasions where animals may be off display due to breeding programs, health checks, or unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, animal availability is subject to change.

Some adoption levels have tours that require reservations. These must be pre-booked to avoid disappointment and are subject to availability and advance notice. Please advise staff at the time of booking of your adopted animal. Age, group size and animal restrictions apply. Some adoption animals are available for handling, although conditions apply. Due to health and safety restrictions, Saltwater Crocodiles are not available for interaction. With notice, and subject to availability, reserved seating may be organised for the Croc Feeding show, however this is not guaranteed.

While every effort is undertaken to ensure the health and wellbeing of your adopted animal, there may be occasions where, due to age, act of god or unforeseen circumstances, your animal may pass away. In this instance, a mutually agreed upon substitute animal may take the place of the original adopted animal.

Please allow 3 weeks for delivery by mail of your care package where applicable. Plush toys are subject to availability and may be substituted at our discretion.