Support one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world.
Support one of the busiest wildlife hospitals in the world.
Creativity has been at an all-time over the last couple of months with businesses forced to come up with new ways to keep things moving forward amidst the strangeness.
We’ve seen the Gold Coasts’ fine dining restaurants switch to takeaway, online exercise classes becoming the norm and takeaway cocktails becoming our new favourite thing. Genius the lot of it.
One sector that has taken a big hit is the events industry and we’ve seen many that have had to cancel or reschedule. Some though, have found ways to go ahead and the one in particular we are here to discuss is the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation’s annual Benefit Under the Stars.
The event, which of course usually takes place in person, will this year switch to a digital version, meaning we can all attend along with rest of the world and support our much-loved, local animal hospital.
So what will happen at this new virtual gala we speak of? Well, many fun things that you can enjoy from the comfort of your bed while also sipping on wine and laying down when it’s time to sleep instead of having to get an Uber home, take your makeup off, get undressed, all the most annoying things.
It will be an evening of entertainment, performances, interviews, wildlife stories and an inside look at one of the world’s busiest wildlife hospitals. Stay tuned for announcements of celebrity guests and hosts who will be making appearances throughout the evening.
In 2019 the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital admitted over 12,000 wildlife, a record, which is on the rise in 2020. Their mission is to treat, rehabilitate and release wildlife back to their home while finding ways via research and projects to protect the most vulnerable patients.
The Hospital depends on the community for support to continue their work and the annual gala each year helps to raise much-needed funds to continue the service free of charge to the community.
No doubt, most of us have had the pleasure of visiting the Sanctuary at some point to pat and stare lovingly at the huge array of animals that are lucky enough to live and be rehabilitated at the Hospital there.
It’s so good to be able to see the Hospital doing their thing for the wildlife, right here on the Gold Coast and so supporting Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Foundation is something we’re quite passionate about.
Tickets to the Virtual Benefit Under the Stars are just $25 each and the event wil take place on Saturday May 9th from 6pm until 7.30pm.
Get yours here and prepare yourself for an entertaining evening filled with lots of cuddly creatures.
How nice.
Words by Kirra Smith
Birds hey, just casually flying all over the place, landing wherever they like, seeing the world from way up high, what a life. They don’t even know how good they have it. We’re quite envious to be honest. Of birds. Who knew.
Complex little creatures too aren’t they? So much we don’t know about them. Until now.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has come to the rescue of bird lovers (and those who are simply a little bit curious about our feathered friends) everywhere with the launch of a brand new show featuring, you guessed it, all of the birds.
Wild Skies will take flight onTuesday January 1st at the Gold Coast’s favourite animal playground and we recommend hightailing it down to Currumbin to check it out for yourself at the earliest available opportunity.
As you know, the crew at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary are a clever bunch, all knowledgeable and friendly and extremely adept at handling wildlife and Wild Skies is no exception.
The show, taking place in a newly built section of the Sanctuary, is free with entry to the park and it’s both a sight to behold and a good time to learn a few facts about these incredible animals.
We don’t want to give too much away but the show will take you on a sky-high journey of your own through the past, present and future of our winged friends.
You’ll meet some of Australia’s most beautiful species of birds including the largest bird of prey in Australia – the Wedge-tailed Eagle, the Australian Pelican (hilarious) and plenty of colourful parrots to name a few.
We particularly loved the Black Cockatoos, beautiful little guys, who flew across the heads of the audience all colourful and majestic and a fluffy white chicken who pretty much did as he pleased.
There’s also an incredible owl that’ll absolutely mesmerise you and the aforementioned Wedge-tailed Eagle who will absolutely knock your socks off, particularly due to his (could be her) very close proximity to your head.
So, if you’re into witnessing some of the most incredible, up-close animal encounters around, make a date with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Wild Skies, it’s pure magic.
LOCATION: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin Street, Currumbin
HOURS: The Sanctuary is open from 8am until 5pm daily
Words and photo by Kirra Smith
There is not a single thing better in the world than having a tiny little monkey look into your eyes with gratitude and (probably) undying love after you’ve fed him a worm from your outstretched palm. Seriously, nothing.
And that, gang, is something you are able to experience for your animal-loving selves as of right this minute at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Yes siree, you can feed the Sanctuary’s family of Cotton-top Tamarins in their very own house on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays (there are only four spots per day) and what an absolute treat it is to be alive.
Here’s how it’ll go down. You’ll be let in to the Tarmarin’s enclosure with one of the highly knowledgeable minders on site who will then drop live, squirmy worms into your hand (worth it). Then, the magic happens.
Papa Tamarin (Mitu) and his three sons (Toro, Arami and Pablo) will scamper down from their respective trees and pluck the worms from your hands to pop into their hungry mouths. After consuming each worm, they will gaze lovingly (or perhaps hungrily, unsure) at you and you will say ‘oh I love them’ 867 times.
The four little fellas will run back and forth, lay their little palms on your hand, eat directly from your fingers and generally ensure you’re having the absolute time of your life.
AND GUESS WHAT: it only costs $39 (plus entry into the entire Sanctuary of course)! Guys, $39 to make four new friends, that’s less than $10 a head you guys. Far more affordable than a round of margaritas and you get to hold live worms, what are you actually waiting for.
Cotton-top Tamarins are some of the smallest primates in the world and are named after the little tuft of white hair atop their cute heads. On average they weigh less than 500 grams and they usually live amongst the trees, attempting to masquerade as birds so predators leave them alone. They even make adorable little cheeping noises as a way to communicate with each other.
You’ll find the Tamarins, along with Ring Tail Lemurs, Red Pandas, Capybaras (world’s largest living rodent), free-flying birds and exotic reptiles in Currumbin Wildlife’s recent addition, Lost Valley.
It’s a five-acre tropical precinct allowing you to get up close and personal with flora and wildlife from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana. It’s an actual living, breathing rainforest and it’s absolutely breathtaking.
So the Tamarins; go book yourself a spot right now and experience the joy of bonding with exotic creatures. Best.
LOCATION: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 28 Tomewin St, Currumbin
EXPERIENCE TIMES: Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 12pm
Words and photos by Kirra Smith
