Australian Reptile Park launch new personalised virtual tours during COVID-19

In an industry first and as an effort to keep people connected with nature during the isolation of lockdown, the Australian Reptile Park is implementing personalised one-on-one virtual zoo tours, Behind the Scenes Tours and Animal Encounters, with an experienced zookeeper. Virtual visitors meet and virtually interact with some of the stars of the Australian Reptile Park like Elvis the crocodile, koalas and Hugo the giant Galapagos tortoise.

From Wednesday 29th April 2020, virtual visitors can book online and choose between an hour-long Behind the Scenes Tour or a variety of 20-minute Animal Encounters that take participants behind the scenes at the Australian Reptile Park for a private experience with a zookeeper. Participants can also ask questions one-on-one and have a personalised experience and choose between the focus of either mammals and birds or reptiles and venom. The tours will commence from Monday 4th May 2020.

This innovative new program will run in addition to the popular series of educational wildlife videos and live streams the Australian Reptile Park commenced in March that have taken Australia (and the world) by storm. Launched less than a week after the Park was forced to temporarily close its doors due to the coronavirus health crisis, there has been an overwhelming response from parents, teachers and of course, children. The videos have had a combined viewership of over two million and with many children being online or homeschooling, the videos offer some reprieve for parents.

The Australian Reptile Park is a native wildlife facility that is founded on education and connection of people with nature. In addition to the virtual experiences launched during the current health crisis, the Park continues its lifesaving work through the production of anti-venom for Australian terrestrial snakes and funnel web spiders which saves 300 lives a year, and over 20,000 lives since the 1950’s.  The Australian Reptile Park also founded Aussie Ark, New South Wales largest private conservation organisation working with thousands of native species and habitats.

Australian Reptile Park Director, Tim Faulkner advises “just because you’re stuck at home, doesn’t mean you can’t experience the wonders of wildlife! We wanted to provide options to parents to keep the kids entertained at home through these unprecedented times.

“During our virtual experiences, our keepers will get you up close with your favourite animals, taking you on an unforgettable online experience. They are the perfect way to bring the family together, educate your children about wildlife and connect with nature. Parents will be able to utilise the one-on-one sessions for educational lessons, and people can even gift these one-of-a-kind virtual experiences as gifts to loved ones.”

“We’re so excited to launch these exclusive, intimate tours with real keepers. Real (but virtual!) tours where people can ask questions, engage with wildlife and inspire a thirst for knowledge about our natural world. Personally, I’m looking forward to hosting my own tours and connecting with Aussie families during this really tough time.

“As a conservationist, connecting kids with nature is what I do! I have to seize every opportunity to do that. These new, virtual experiences will act as a conduit to nature when we are locked in our houses.”

The Australian Reptile Park will facilitate Virtual Behind the Scenes Tours and Virtual Animal Encounters via the Zoom Video Conferencing platform, with bookings open from Tuesday 28th April 2020 and tours commencing from Monday 4th May 2020. Virtual Behind the Scenes Tours will be priced at $200 per household and Virtual Animal Encounters will be priced at $100 per household. Virtual visitors can also choose to splurge with a $500 Elvis the crocodile encounter or a $400 Premium Virtual Behind the Scenes Tour, hosted by Park Director Tim Faulkner or Head of Reptiles, Dan Rumsey.

For more information, head to www.reptilepark.com.au

Images courtesy of The Australian Reptile Park