Wildlife Surrounds

06/10/2026

29/09/2026

3 weeks. Countless tasks. One legendary volunteer 🐍🇫🇷

Merci beaucoup to Mathieu for spending the last three weeks helping build new reptile enclosures, keeping up with gardening and watering, and providing top-notch assistance with the daily care for our wildlife (and earning a python hug in the process)!

You’re a legend, Mathieu! 🛠️🌱✨

25/09/2026

🍂🐾 ’Tis the time of year when Aayla has her annual fluff explosion!

As the weather warms up, dingoes begin shedding their thick insulating winter undercoat — and for our Alpine girl Aayla, that means fluff. Everywhere!!

💭 Aayla’s face: “Did you really put my bad hair day on our socials?” 😂

Don’t worry Princess Aayla, you’ll be looking sleek again soon! 💚

11/09/2026

🐾 Back where our dingo story began… 🐾

The day after DingoFest, we had the opportunity to spend some time with the dingoes at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary, Research and Education Centre in Victoria.

This is a particularly special place for Wildlife Surrounds — it’s where Austin, Aayla and Jarli began their lives before making the journey to North Queensland 💚

As pups, they experienced the famous “Kindy Bus”, heading out on regular adventures and being introduced to new people, places, sights, sounds and experiences. From day one, their early lives are built around positive interactions with people, helping them develop the confidence and skills they will later use as wildlife ambassadors.

Each of these dingoes raised through the Foundation goes on to wildlife educators around Australia, where their role is much bigger than simply being seen. They give people the opportunity to connect up close with a dingo, observe their behaviour and learn more about an animal that is still so often misunderstood.

Years later, that early foundation is something we continue to see in our own dingoes every day. Each has developed their own very different personality, but they continue to trust humans and play an important role in helping us educate visitors, get memorable souvenir shots and encourage greater understanding of dingoes.

It was pretty special to return to where their journey began, catch up with the amazing people behind it all — and, of course, spend some time with a few more dingoes! 💚

A huge thank you to the Australian Dingo Foundation for welcoming us back.

📸 And yes… unlike at DingoFest, we actually managed to get Erin in front of the camera this time! 😂

05/09/2026

🐾 Wildlife Surrounds goes to DingoFest! 🐾

Last weekend, our founder Shakira and volunteer coordinator Erin, flew down to Melbourne to attend DingoFest 2026, hosted by the Australian Dingo Foundation in Melbourne.

DingoFest brought together more than 300 people from across Australia and beyond to share knowledge, challenge ideas and talk about the future of Australia’s dingo — across research, conservation, culture, education and advocacy.

🎬Two standout highlights were the launch of Dr Bradley Smith’s new book, Canis dingo, celebrating years of research, and the world premiere of On The Fence, a powerful documentary by Harry Vincent exploring Australia’s complex relationship with the dingo. It was special to celebrate both achievements, with On The Fence receiving a well-deserved standing ovation.

We heard from an incredible panel including Dr , Professor Euan Ritchie, Kelly Ann Blake, Dr Kylie Cairns - Dingo Genetics Research, Harry Vincent, Machelle Vaughan-Cartner - Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd and the Australian Dingo Foundation founder Lyn Watson — sharing their perspectives on dingo ecology, genetics, conservation, management and coexistence.

For Wildlife Surrounds, opportunities like DingoFest are incredibly valuable. Learning from others working with and advocating for dingoes strengthens the education we share with our visitors, students and community.

It was also wonderful to catch up with familiar faces, finally meet people we’ve known from afar, and make new connections along the way.

A huge congratulations to the Australian Dingo Foundation, their volunteers, speakers and everyone behind DingoFest. 💚

We certainly didn’t fly home short of inspiration or things to talk about! 🐾

P.S. Erin was a little camera shy at the event but we have some great pics to share next week of our visit to see dingoes at Australian Dingo Foundation's Sanctuary in Toolern Vale.

02/09/2026

🏆 WE NEED YOUR VOTE! 🐾

We’re incredibly excited that Wildlife Surrounds is a finalist in the People’s Choice Award – New Tourism Business or Experience category at the 2026 North Queensland Tourism & Events Awards! 🎉 🎉

👉 Vote for Wildlife Surrounds: https://awards.townsvilleenterprise.com.au/
✅ Scroll to 'New Tourism Business or Experience' (4th from the bottom)

Especially proud to be representing the Burdekin Shire as the region’s only finalist in this year’s People’s Choice Awards. 💚

Wildlife Surrounds is a micro business supported by an incredible team of volunteers and driven by a big purpose. For us, tourism is an opportunity to connect more people with North Queensland’s landscapes and wildlife, while educating, challenging misconceptions and inspiring conservation.

Especially when it comes to one of Australia’s most misunderstood native animals — the dingo.

People’s Choice is decided by public vote, so we’d love the Burdekin, Townsville and wider Wildlife Surrounds community to get behind us!

Every vote counts. Thank you for helping us grow and reach more people through wildlife education and conservation 💚💚


Giru Community Giru Progress Association Giru State School Visit Burdekin, North Queensland What’s On Burdekin Burdekin Shire Council Giru International Hotel (official)

27/08/2026

🎉 Happy 8th Birthday, Jiemba! 🐾💛

The loudest voice in the pack, the biggest case of FOMO, and quite possibly the most suspicious dingo you’ll ever meet. 😂

If another dingo is getting attention, you can guarantee Jiemba has something to say about it. But when it comes to anything—or anyone—new, that’s a very different story.

Jiemba likes to take his time. New volunteers can expect to be carefully assessed through a year—or more—of regular visits before he decides they’re trustworthy enough to welcome into his inner circle. And don’t even think about turning up to walk Jiemba in a new pair of work boots and expecting him not to notice. Those will require a minimum three-month approval process. 🥾

But earning Jiemba’s trust is worth the wait. Once you’re in his circle, he’s one of the most affectionate and cuddly dingoes you could hope to know. 💛

His cautious nature is also a wonderful reminder that every dingo is an individual. They each have their own personalities, boundaries and ways of responding to the world around them—and building trust happens on their terms, not ours.

Happy belated 8th birthday to our wonderfully vocal and affectionate Jiemba! Here’s to another year of cuddles, commentary and keeping everyone on their toes. His actual birthday was 23 June, but it's never too late to celebrate Jiemba! 😂

09/08/2026

🌿 Growing Eco-tourism Through Collaboration

Wildlife Surrounds recently hosted an Eco-tourism Gathering, bringing together Bindal Traditional Owners, Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation, Townsville Enterprise and the Burdekin Shire Council Economic Development and Tourism team to explore opportunities for collaboration across the region.

The morning began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Eddie Smallwood, Bindal Elder. We were all invited to experience the smoke before Eddie continued cleansing around the wildlife enclosures. It was a deeply meaningful and memorable experience, offering a unique opportunity to learn more about the connection between culture, wildlife and the landscape we share.

Guests experienced elements of Wildlife Surrounds' tours firsthand, including wildlife encounters, guided walks, and discussions around conservation, education and eco-tourism. Discussions highlighted ideas and opportunities to strengthen nature-based and cultural tourism across the Burdekin.

🌿 Looking for your next North Queensland adventure? Explore our region via the pages below 👇

Wildlife Surrounds Tours - wildlifesurrounds.com.au/tours
Gudjuda Tours - gudjudatours.com/cultural-tours/
Visit Burdekin, North Queensland - visitburdekin.com.au
Visit Townsville North Queensland - townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au

Australian Tourism Data Warehouse Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water What’s On Burdekin What's On Townsville

07/08/2026

💧 How healthy are Townsville's local waterways?

The newly released 2026 Townsville Dry Tropics Waterways Report Card provides an independent snapshot of the condition of our region's rivers, creeks, estuaries and coastal waters. It's an important resource that helps guide conversations, actions and investment to protect these places for future generations.

Wildlife Surrounds was proud to attend the Report Card launch last week and to renew our commitment Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics for a third consecutive year. Being part of this partnership gives us valuable opportunities to collaborate with researchers, Traditional Owners, community groups, government and industry to strengthen environmental stewardship across the region.

On the night, Wildlife Surrounds donated prizes for the lucky door draw and the annual Tributary Trivia competition—a small contribution to an evening that celebrated collaboration.

💧 Every informed conversation is another step towards healthier waterways.
Take a look at this year's Report Card and see how our waterways are tracking.

🔗 Read the 2026 Report Card:
https://www.healthywaterspartnership.org/report-cards

📸 Photos courtesy of Healthy Waters Partnership / Cameran Laird Photography.

Port of Townsville Limited NQ Dry Tropics NRM Townsville City Council EcoMarines Foundation Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc North Queensland Conservation Council (NQCC)

02/07/2026

🌿 A Sunday to slow down, breathe and reconnect.

Last weekend we welcomed a wonderful group to our Wellness with Wildlife event for a day of yoga, meditation, wildlife encounters, bushwalking and a refreshing creek swim.

It was an opportunity to step away from the everyday, reconnect with nature, and share the experience with a community of like-minded people.

We raised just over $1,000 towards upgrading our wildlife enclosures. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special.

A special thank you to the amazing Brooke for leading such a rejuvenating yoga and meditation session and helping everyone start the day feeling grounded and refreshed. 💚

We're already looking forward to the next Wellness with Wildlife event. If you'd love to join us next time, let us know in the comments or keep an eye on our page for future event announcements.