Not a bat idea: Meadow Springs resident goes batty about wildlife

Meadow Springs resident and Critters Up Close owner Michael Smith gave up his life in the army a year and a half ago to pursue his dream to work with native wildlife.

He bought a van, transformed his Meadow Springs property in a tiny zoo and started his search for some of Australia’s most emblematic critters.

The father of two currently homes a variety of local fauna, including small sharks, snakes, cockatoos, scorpions, spiders, lizards, turtles and possums among others, and tours around WA teaching children about animals and environmentally-friendly practices. 

In February, Mr Smith’s Critters Up Close became WA’s first mobile educational van to feature bats, with rescued red flying foxes Betty and Boris joining the team.

“Over the last few months, we have been working closely with the Department of Parks and Wildlife to identify suitable species for our mobile education programs,” he said.

“After the recent heavy losses of flying foxes in NSW, we need to understand, appreciate and protect these critters, they are an integral part of maintaining a healthy ecosystem.”

Despite being heavily misunderstood, he said, flying foxes play a key role creating genetic diversity in the bush by dispersing seeds and pollinating plants.

And he hopes the new close up experiences with Betty and Boris will help people overcome some of their misconceptions.

“So many children – and adults – are totally disconnected from nature,” he said.

“We need to encourage that interest again, we need to generate the love for the outdoors and the critters that call it home."

In addition to educating people, Mr Smith’s Critters Up Close also gives a second chance to rescued fauna with 80 per cent of his critters being rescue animals which may have otherwise been euthanised.

“They now have the very important job of not only changing people’s perceptions; but changing their actions too through their stories,” he said.

Mr Smith said he is planning a bunch of new up close critters encounters in the Mandurah area, including a set of Park by Dark bushwalks to show children native nocturnal animals such as bats and possums in their natural habitat.

Critters up Close will also be available to local nature enthusiasts during the Crab Fest weekend.

Mr Smith said he will have two big touch pools with blue manna crabs, small sharks, starfish, sea cucumbers and other marine animals for children to experience.

Punters will also have the opportunity to learn about shells and which sort of creatures live in them during the festival.

For more information about Critters Up Close call 0407 000 012 or go to crittersupclose.com.au.