| Crikey!
The role of the Australian Reptile Park
Madison
Rodier, Jacqueline Nguyen and Jennifer Durnall
Edited by Martin Drinkwater and Ada Tam
The
entrance to the Australian Reptile Park. |
The
Australian Reptile Park (ARP) is the centre of research
activities designed to gain a better understanding of
venomous snakes and spiders. Along
with being the sole supplier of venom from terrestrial
snakes and funnel-web spiders, the
ARP also runs a number of educational programs. These
allow visitors to have a “hands-on” experience with the
animals at the park, increasing public awareness about
the environment.
The
ARP was established originally as the Ocean Beach Aquarium
on the Central Coast in 1948 by Australia’s first naturalist,
Eric Worrel. Since 1996, the ARP has relocated from its
old site in North Gosford to the tranquil bush land in
Somersby to become the home for many species of reptiles
and mammals.
Production
of anti-venom and scientific research at the ARP
The
ARP has a historical role in anti-venom production, and
has been “milking” venom from deadly species of snakes
and spiders for over 50 years. The venom is sent to the
Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL Limited) in Melbourne
– the only Australian manufacturer of anti-venom for snakebite
and spider bite victims. To produce snake anti-venom,
large Percheron horses are regularly injected with the
venom at low levels so that the horses are unaffected,
though develops antibodies to resist the foreign substance.
After a period of 10 to 12 months, a small amount of blood
is drawn from the horse. The plasma (liquid) of the blood
that contains the antibodies is used to treat snakebite
victims. For funnel-web spiders, anti-venom is produced
using rabbits rather than horses. The ARP is the sole
supplier of venom from terrestrial snakes and funnel-web
spiders to CSL Limited, and it is estimated that over
300 lives have been saved as a result.
A
reptile carpet python snake. |
In
recent years, the ARP has been directing more of its efforts
toward conservation projects involving provision of captive
spaces for threatened reptiles and frogs, and captive
breeding. John Weigel, Director of the ARP, says that
by making the ARP’s conservation and research activities
apparent to its visitors, a positive educational response
is achieved - many people become interested in the projects
and the plight of the species being studied.
Apart
from assembling the basic biological story for a species
and identifying that it has very special conservation
needs, projects at ARP help raise awareness and sensitivity
in the wider community to the many facets of Australian
nature. Most importantly, they cultivate appreciation
held for our non-mammalian vertebrates.
The
ARP’s research activities must comply with the NSW Animal
Research Act as well as the NSW Exhibited Animal Protection
Act. Both have extensive guidelines about the treatment
of wild animals used in research. This includes involvement
of an “ethics committee” and regular inspections from
government bodies. “In house” protocols for the projects
are consistent with general zoo-keeping procedures that
ARP staff and volunteers are trained to follow.
Through
his research and work at the Park, John aims to be a part
of the “soul” of the ARP: a tourist attraction that undertakes
a life-saving role in anti-venom production and other
scientific activities. He hopes that the ARP will be known
as “that place doing interesting life-saving and nature-saving
activities”.
Tourism and education
Walking
inside the "crocodile's mouth" at the
ARP. |
The
ARP relies on funding from tourists. Michael Tate, an
education officer at the ARP, spends his time giving demonstrations
on animals and the environment at the park, schools and
media spots. Michael has done over 17,000 shows at the
ARP and frequently conducts “show and tell” sessions on
TV and radio. His primary goal is to entertain the visitors
and provide value for money as a tourist destination.
His second aim is to inform the public about the environment,
reptiles and animals in general. Michael hopes to reduce
fear of reptiles and promote a long-term change in the
attitude of the general public, resulting in a more secure
future for many already endangered or soon to be endangered
species.
Michael
believes that good sound knowledge of the subject is essential
when educating people with relatively little background
knowledge. The ability to think quickly and to judge an
audience is also important; you need to be a very proficient
public speaker and include body language to avoid boring
the audience. Furthermore, demonstrations are a performance
rather than a lecture so you need to be confident! Michael
often uses analogies that the audience can relate to,
for example, “a bearded dragon feels like cat’s tongue”.
He says that it is important to sound excited and accessible.
People will feel comfortable speaking to you if you appear
approachable, not intimidating.
Providing
factual information in an entertaining manner and dispelling
many myths can broaden the public’s perception and general
knowledge. Visitors have been known to become amateur
reptile keepers as a result of the demonstrations. In
school situations, the impact of live animals in a hands-on
situation is permanent for students who may never have
seen a snake. Many children’s attitudes are changed in
a single session and develop a life-long affinity for
animals.
Originally
published in
A
day in the Life Sciences in Australia
|
