Featherdale Wildlife Park

Agile Wallaby Photo #1 of 5 Diet and feeding: The Agile Wallaby is quite a holistic diner. In addition to grazing on native grasses, sometimes when food on the surface is less plentiful this species will dig up the grasses that it would normally graze on and eat the rootstock as well. As well as grass and roots, the Agile Wallaby will dine on the foliage and bark of native plants and trees. Where this species is found, the middle of the day is quite unbearable and subsequently the Agile Wallaby rests in the shade at this time preferring to feed in the early morning or late afternoon. Habitat: Unlike many other Australian animals, this species is extremely common and occurs in great numbers in the right habitat. The Agile Wallaby inhabits the coastal plains of tropical Australia and southern Papua New Guinea. This species is aptly named, because when moving around their rugged, open habitat, these animals are almost impossible to catch. Reproduction: Before a male Agile Wallaby can mate with a female, he must impress her with his size and the colour of his chest. Before a male reaches sexual maturity, he will spend the first few years of his life like a body builder, making sure to eat enough food that in the same period of time, he will grow twice as much as a female would. When he reaches sexual maturity, his chest will start to turn red as a sign of his virility. As he gets older, the colour of his chest will continue to intensify. This will advertise to any curious females that he is a mature male and has managed to survive longer than anyone whose chest is less colourful. Once a male has successfully impressed a female and chased off his rivals, he will mate with her and leave. Following this, the Agile Wallaby reproduces like all other marsupials by giving birth to a single tiny, blind and furless young. This can occur at any time of year providing that the conditions are right and the timing is entirely controlled by the female. If conditions are unfavourable she can freeze her embryo at its current stage of development until conditions suit. This process is called 'Embryonic diapause' and occurs in over 100 species of mammal across the globe but is particularly common in marsupials. Following the birth of her young, the female will provide milk for her joey in her pouch until it is 8 months of age.   See thumbnails of all photos for this point of interest.

Crocodile balcony

Virtual tour #1 of 12

Overview

From the initial greeting at the Park's entrance by our resident 'swaggy' holding his pet joey Kangaroo, visitors to Featherdale Wildlife Park are encouraged to embark on a unique journey, discovering over three hundred species of Australia's diverse wildlife.

Featherdale provides all-day FREE encounters with Australia's most beloved and iconic 'Aussies', the Koala and Kangaroo.

Education and Conservation form an integral component of Featherdale's philosophy. Not only is Featherdale renowned throughout the tourism industry but also its extensive captive breeding programs have set the standard for animal conservation and management in the zoological industry. As a result, Featherdale animals and animal husbandry techniques are highly sought after by zoos and fauna parks all over the world.

From Poultry beginnings…

Established on 7 acres of land originally purchased by Charles and Marjorie Wigg in 1953, Featherdale has evolved from a poultry farm into one of the best privately own wildlife parks in Australia.

The Wigg's son-in-law, Bruce Kubbere studied Australian fauna from early childhood and with his vision and encouragement, Featherdale opened to the public as a wildlife park in 1972.

In the early years Bruce, and his wife Margaret, operated a plant nursery on conjunction with the Wildlife Park. Beautiful Australian native trees and plants now line the walkways and landscape the enclosures as a legacy of the park's history.

Featherdale's future was threatened in 1975 with plans to use the property for a housing commission development. The then Premier, Sir Robert Askin was presented with thousands of signed petitions, most of which were signed behalf of local residents who stressed "the importance of Featherdale Wildlife Park" to district school children. Fortunately the government rescinded its original decision and the park was saved.

In December 1996, Featherdale was purchased by Amalgamated Holdings Limited and is now an integral part of Amalgamated Pty Ltd. In 1998 Featherdale carried out a number of upgrades including new entrance, amenities with disabled facilities and displays that closely depict the animals natural habitats to heighten the sense of arrival to one of Greater Western Side's major tourist attractions.

Featherdale has a commitment to animal and environmental education. The Wildlife Education Program is well established and very successful. The "Learning Burrow" is an open-air amphitheatre with seating for up to 90 students. The "Wildlife Wanderer" is Featherdale's mobile education program. Lessons are interactive experiences that reflect the school curriculum.

Through innovation Featherdale has developed into one of Australia's finest tourist attractions in Greater Western Sydney and has played an important part in the growth of tourism, not only in Greater Western Sydney, but the whole of New South Wales.