By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
MOONLIT Sanctuary may draw visitors from across the world, but it offers much more than the standard tourist attractions.
The winner of the 2015 Casey-Cardinia Business Award in the Tourism category runs breeding programs that have helped save critically endangered species.
Director Michael Johnson said conservation was a priority for the sanctuary.
“We look at sustainability in all our operations, which is very important to us, and also the breeding of endangered species,” he said.
“The most important breeding program has been for the orange-bellied parrot, and there’s only about 60 of those left in the wild.”
In conjunction with other conservationists, Moonlit Sanctuary runs a program whereby birds are bred and eventually released into the wild. The initiative has saved the parrot from extinction.
The sanctuary believes ecotourism is crucial to raising awareness on the issues facing native Australian plants and animals.
Their lantern-lit evening tours have proven especially popular with guests.
“All Australian mammals are night animals – that’s something that people don’t realise,” Michael said.
“Even kangaroos and wallabies are more active at night and more inclined to be friendly at night. You’ll see things like gliders which don’t come out during the day and you can hand feed some of the animals.
“It’s a really intimate experience.”
The popular tours are only one of a vast array of experiences offered by the park. Excursions and incursions educate students on the Australian ecosystem and day tours, animal encounters and talks provide guests with the chance to get up close with their favourite Australian wildlife.
Michael says there are plans to grow Moonlit Sanctuary in both its conservation and tourism programs.
“We’ll continue to ensure visitors are well catered for and we’re able to give them the best experience possible,” he said.
“The sanctuary has a very important role to play.”
