Jirrahlinga Dingo Conservation and Wildlife Education Centre at Chewton has been a hive of activity over the school holiday period with visitors enjoying an up close and personal experience with wildlife at the centre.
Centre founder Tehree Gordon said they had been working hard behind the scenes for a number of years now to redevelop the facility, lovingly care for the existing dingo population, and integrate the wildlife from their former Barwon Heads facility on one site at Chewton.
“It’s been an incredible amount of hard work by our small team of dedicated staff and volunteers but it’s wonderful to be able to now share the space and our wildlife with the wider community and visitors to this beautiful region,” Tehree said.
Tehree established the not-for-profit sanctuary at Barwon Heads 50 years ago to care for injured roos, and it later became home to many species and varieties of Australian native animals.
Tehree and husband Hamish tendered for and were successful in acquiring the 15-acre Chewton property, formerly known as the Australian Dingo Farm in 2005.
There were 295 adult dingoes and more than 200 pups on death row, facing euthanasia, when they took over the facility.
True to their commitment to preserve the purity of the dingoes, they quickly implemented a de-sexing program of the many hybrid dingoes and have spent a considerable amount of time and energy since securing the facility, managing the health and wellbeing of the local dingo population and re-vegetating and enhancing the property.
The new-look Jirrahlinga is fast becoming a showplace that will ensure the conservation of Australia’s native dog.
Tehree said dingoes were largely misunderstood.
“They are not like a normal dog, they require special training and care,” she said.
“For example, we had one young dingo Ralph surrendered to us. His family had moved from New South Wales to Victoria. In NSW dingoes can be purchased like domestic pets, but in Victoria you require a licence and a proper enclosure.
“It was heartbreaking. The single mum to five kids simply could not meet the conditions required, and was advised that even if they did strive to meet all the conditions there was still no guarantee they would win approval to keep Ralph. So they made the tough decision to surrender the pup to us, rather than have him euthanised.
“The good news is he has found a happy home and a partner here and his family can visit him any time they like,” she said.
The care of the dingo population at Jirrahlinga is supported by a dedicated group of volunteer dingo walkers.
Dingo walker Andy Dunne said he had been supporting the program at Jirrahlinga for about 10 months and had found it an extremely rewarding experience. In fact, he is now training other volunteers to work with the unique native animals.
“It’s not only beneficial for the fitness and socialisation of the dingoes but also for the walkers – both physically and mentally,” Andy said.
“One of my favourites is Buddy. He lost his mate some time ago. They mate for life and he is still mourning her loss. When we enjoy our walks I need to be wary not to pass their former enclosure. They are such intelligent creatures.”
In addition to the local dingo population, Jirralinga is also home to a range of other native wildlife including koalas, wombats, roos, reptiles and birds, cared for by a dedicated team of experienced rangers passionate about passing on their knowledge to the next generation.
“It’s vital that this knowledge is passed down to the younger generation. We have already lost so much of our precious Australian native wildlife and we need the next generation to step up and learn what’s required to secure its future,” Tehree said.
The conservation and wildlife centre is open to the public Monday-Sunday 10am to 4pm (closed Wednesdays). The ticket price includes close encounters with various furry, cuddly and scaly residents at the sanctuary.
Visit www.jirrahlinga.com.au for more information on opening times, tickets. Or grab your ticket on arrival at the Billabong Cafe.
You’ll find the wildlife centre in Eureka Street, Chewton. Just follow the paw prints from the Pyrenees Highway.
