'Overwhelming devastation' at Aussie Ark after worst floods in 15 years

The Advertiser

22-05-2025

High up in the Barrington Tops, conservation group Aussie Ark is scrambling to protect its animals after heavy floods.
Critical fencing that surrounds the not-for-profit's endangered wildlife has been destroyed, enclosures have flooded, power is down and roads are washed out.
After more than 420 millimetres of rain in a few days, the organisation said in an online statement the "devastation was overwhelming",
Aussie Ark is NSW's largest independently owned conservation group housing seven species once native to the Barrington Tops such as Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and long-nose potoroos.
Deputy managing director Liz Gabriel said massive rivers were running through the sanctuary area after the worst floods they'd seen in its 15-year history.
"The floods have just been extreme, we have never seen anything like it at the Ark," Ms Gabriel said.
"We are waiting for the weather to change, the rivers are still rising at the moment, until that changes the road will be closed," she said.
She said staff couldn't leave the mountain headquarters due to the floods, with support staff from the Australian Reptile Park bringing food for animals via helicopter today.
"For our smaller mammal species we need fresh food and vegetables every few days," she said.
Staff have been working around the clock to relocate animals to safe ground, with every animal accounted for and in good condition, Ms Gabriel said.
She said with the damage still unfolding, the recovery would be extensive and long-term.
Crews from the Australian Reptile Park were on-site assisting with flood response efforts and the sanctuary remained inaccessible to the public.
"A formal flood recovery appeal has been established to support the major repair work ahead and to future-proof the sanctuary against worsening extreme weather events," the group said.
The group was calling for community donations to help in the rebuild effort. Donations can be made at https://bit.ly/FloodRebuild
High up in the Barrington Tops, conservation group Aussie Ark is scrambling to protect its animals after heavy floods.
Critical fencing that surrounds the not-for-profit's endangered wildlife has been destroyed, enclosures have flooded, power is down and roads are washed out.
After more than 420 millimetres of rain in a few days, the organisation said in an online statement the "devastation was overwhelming",
Aussie Ark is NSW's largest independently owned conservation group housing seven species once native to the Barrington Tops such as Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and long-nose potoroos.
Deputy managing director Liz Gabriel said massive rivers were running through the sanctuary area after the worst floods they'd seen in its 15-year history.
"The floods have just been extreme, we have never seen anything like it at the Ark," Ms Gabriel said.
"We are waiting for the weather to change, the rivers are still rising at the moment, until that changes the road will be closed," she said.
She said staff couldn't leave the mountain headquarters due to the floods, with support staff from the Australian Reptile Park bringing food for animals via helicopter today.
"For our smaller mammal species we need fresh food and vegetables every few days," she said.
Staff have been working around the clock to relocate animals to safe ground, with every animal accounted for and in good condition, Ms Gabriel said.
She said with the damage still unfolding, the recovery would be extensive and long-term.
Crews from the Australian Reptile Park were on-site assisting with flood response efforts and the sanctuary remained inaccessible to the public.
"A formal flood recovery appeal has been established to support the major repair work ahead and to future-proof the sanctuary against worsening extreme weather events," the group said.
The group was calling for community donations to help in the rebuild effort. Donations can be made at https://bit.ly/FloodRebuild
High up in the Barrington Tops, conservation group Aussie Ark is scrambling to protect its animals after heavy floods.
Critical fencing that surrounds the not-for-profit's endangered wildlife has been destroyed, enclosures have flooded, power is down and roads are washed out.
After more than 420 millimetres of rain in a few days, the organisation said in an online statement the "devastation was overwhelming",
Aussie Ark is NSW's largest independently owned conservation group housing seven species once native to the Barrington Tops such as Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and long-nose potoroos.
Deputy managing director Liz Gabriel said massive rivers were running through the sanctuary area after the worst floods they'd seen in its 15-year history.
"The floods have just been extreme, we have never seen anything like it at the Ark," Ms Gabriel said.
"We are waiting for the weather to change, the rivers are still rising at the moment, until that changes the road will be closed," she said.
She said staff couldn't leave the mountain headquarters due to the floods, with support staff from the Australian Reptile Park bringing food for animals via helicopter today.
"For our smaller mammal species we need fresh food and vegetables every few days," she said.
Staff have been working around the clock to relocate animals to safe ground, with every animal accounted for and in good condition, Ms Gabriel said.
She said with the damage still unfolding, the recovery would be extensive and long-term.
Crews from the Australian Reptile Park were on-site assisting with flood response efforts and the sanctuary remained inaccessible to the public.
"A formal flood recovery appeal has been established to support the major repair work ahead and to future-proof the sanctuary against worsening extreme weather events," the group said.
The group was calling for community donations to help in the rebuild effort. Donations can be made at https://bit.ly/FloodRebuild
High up in the Barrington Tops, conservation group Aussie Ark is scrambling to protect its animals after heavy floods.
Critical fencing that surrounds the not-for-profit's endangered wildlife has been destroyed, enclosures have flooded, power is down and roads are washed out.
After more than 420 millimetres of rain in a few days, the organisation said in an online statement the "devastation was overwhelming",
Aussie Ark is NSW's largest independently owned conservation group housing seven species once native to the Barrington Tops such as Tasmanian devils, eastern quolls and long-nose potoroos.
Deputy managing director Liz Gabriel said massive rivers were running through the sanctuary area after the worst floods they'd seen in its 15-year history.
"The floods have just been extreme, we have never seen anything like it at the Ark," Ms Gabriel said.
"We are waiting for the weather to change, the rivers are still rising at the moment, until that changes the road will be closed," she said.
She said staff couldn't leave the mountain headquarters due to the floods, with support staff from the Australian Reptile Park bringing food for animals via helicopter today.
"For our smaller mammal species we need fresh food and vegetables every few days," she said.
Staff have been working around the clock to relocate animals to safe ground, with every animal accounted for and in good condition, Ms Gabriel said.
She said with the damage still unfolding, the recovery would be extensive and long-term.
Crews from the Australian Reptile Park were on-site assisting with flood response efforts and the sanctuary remained inaccessible to the public.
"A formal flood recovery appeal has been established to support the major repair work ahead and to future-proof the sanctuary against worsening extreme weather events," the group said.
The group was calling for community donations to help in the rebuild effort. Donations can be made at https://bit.ly/FloodRebuild