'It's been so quiet': Federal funding lifeline for struggling Peel tourism icon

Brad Holland fulfilled his lifelong goal last year when he bought the Peel Zoo.

After a long career working with animals and an interest in wildlife dating back to when he was a child, Ranger Red as he is better known, became the owner of the local animal park in September 2019.

In our first interview, Ranger Red told me he was a "blubbering mess" after he made the purchase.

But he could have never imagined less than six months later he would be walking into an empty zoo day after day, filling out endless amounts of paperwork to keep himself afloat amid a health and economic crisis sweeping the globe.

Ranger Red was forced to close the doors to the park late last month as restrictions were enforced by federal and state governments to battle the spread of COVID-19.

Now nobody walks through the grounds to admire the cute and cuddly animals on display and the Zoo's mobile service is completely out of action.

"It's just sad," Ranger Red told me during a socially distant interview at the Zoo.

We were separated by the park's resident koala, Ashton, who had been relocated to welcome guests as soon as they enter the Zoo.

"It's been so quiet," Red continued.

"We're a zoo so that's the scary thing - we can't offer takeaways like a cafe or restaurant. There is no income.

"It's been particularly hard for me because this is a new business."

But he promised it wasn't all bad.

Ranger Red and his team are taking the opportunity without visitors to take on renovation projects he has wanted to finish since taking over the zoo.

Taking a quick walk around the park, Ranger Red's vision is clear and the tough job of undertaking tree maintenance throughout the Zoo is already well underway.

There are dozens of boxes of unopened souvenirs in the lobby bought ahead of the anticipated school holiday and Easter rush.

There is a turtle pond in the making, the aviaries have been refreshed with a new coat of black paint and all the mulch and perches in the enclosures have been renewed.

However, renovations and projects cost money - money Ranger Red just doesn't have.

"The animals still need food and our electricity usage is getting even higher coming into winter, especially with the increase in our reptile collection," he said.

"I've seen some wildlife parks do GoFundMe pages but I feel awkward about that because there a lot of people out there suffering - people just don't have the ability to hand over money.

"I've got a lot of friends who have put in their time to volunteer while they don't have anything on and people have been dropping off boxes of fruit and vegetables at the front door, which is great."

And Ranger Red said dozens of local residents had taken up the chance to adopt a Zoo animal to look after the wildlife at the park.

Read more:

But plenty of tough decisions have had to be made to keep the Zoo afloat.

"We had to let a couple of staff members go who were involved in our mobile programs, which was unfortunate but that work has gone altogether," he said.

"I'm not in a position to lay anyone off though - animals can't get their own food or water. They need looking after and we have to be able to do that. I need staff to do that."

"I realise there are people out there that are worse off than us - we still have our health and, having lived the life of a performing artist, I learned how to make something out of nothing a long time ago."

Read more:

In a welcome turn of events, the federal government recently announced almost $100 million in funding to help zoos and aquariums through the COVID-19 crisis.

Eligible zoos and aquariums across the country will share in funding to help pay for up to six months of animal welfare operating costs.

Following our chat earlier in the month, I called Ranger Red on the Tuesday morning that the funding was announced to see if he would be able to claim the financial support.

"We will be eligible for some of the funding," he said.

"We don't know how much and we know they will be really strict about what the money will be used for and that's feeding the animals and any vet bills.

"It is good news. We know we will get through this."

To find out how to adopt an animal at Peel Zoo, visit the website or email keeper Danica at mammals@peelzoo.com.au.