Featherdale Wildlife Parks marks 50th anniversary

The Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park has marked its 50th year of operating since it first officially opened in 1972.

Originally founded on the site of a family-owned poultry farm, in its 50-year history Featherdale has grown to proudly now care for the largest collection of Australian animals in the world, with over 2000 Australian native animals across 260 species.

The wildlife park has been a champion for Australian wildlife throughout its history, playing an important role in breeding and conserving many endangered Australian species from the koala, to brush tailed rock wallabies, the regent honey eater and many more vulnerable species.

Along with its animals, Chad Staples, Managing Director of both Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park and Mogo Wildlife Park, is the attraction’s most high-profile team member, being a regular commentator on wildlife matters on Channel Ten - with programs such as ‘Totally Wild’ - and having more than 200,000 followers on Instagram.

Staples, who has worked at the Wildlife Park for 25 years, is passionate about the Featherdale and the important role it plays to enrich the relationship between Australians and the incredible native animals that call Australia home.

Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park offer its guests hands-on wildlife experiences, including hand-feeding wallabies and kangaroos, petting a koala, and now even the opportunity to take a selfie with a Quokka.