In the heart of Kyabram, a town with a rich history and a deep connection to nature, stands a wildlife park that has undergone a remarkable transformation during the past five years.
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Lachlan Gordon, director of the Kyabram Fauna Park for the past five years, is the man chiefly responsible for that metamorphosis. He is moving on to his next challenge after securing the park’s future following the recent Zoos Victoria merger.
The day Lachlan walked into the park, in early February 2019, KFP had close to half the animals it has now, supported only five staff members, was in a state of disrepair and had a significantly damaged reputation in the community.
And, at the core of its many issues, was only attracting 6000 people through the gates annually.
Fast forward to early December 2023 and the Lachlan Gordon-led team has acquired more than 70 additional species, have 25 staff, vastly improved facilities and an incredibly strong partnership program with its community.
That relationship, which Lachlan started in 2019, equated to $200,000 of in-kind and donated support.
“The park is also on track to top 75,000 visitors for the year, a Kyabram Fauna Park first,” he proudly said.
“It’s an incredible journey — from a rundown facility, struggling to keep its doors open to a thriving wildlife haven — not only symbolising my vision, but also acting as a salute to the community support we evoked to preserve and revitalise our natural treasures,” he said.
Lachlan’s dedication, that of his committed and hard-working team and the collective efforts of the community, have not only saved a local icon, but has positioned it as a vital player in global conservation efforts.
“The support network we put in place has given rise to the resurgence of a much-loved tourist attraction and wildlife conservation experience destination.
“It has also led to the stimulation of the local economy and resulted in driving tourism and visitation to the region, to the town of Kyabram and the KFP itself,” Lachlan said.
Lachlan has been the driving force behind this metamorphosis, envisioning a vibrant future for KFP, despite its dilapidated state when he first stepped through its front doors almost half a decade ago.
“It was not long ago that the park had an entrance that resembled a neglected bike shed, with a multitude of empty enclosures and was home to only 600 animals,” Lachlan said.
With an eye for potential, the now former director, along with the KFP committee of management and his small team, embarked on a challenging journey that required five years of hard work.
“We received monumental community support and I was also fortunate to have a dedicated team of professionals that I carefully selected over the subsequent years,” he said.
The transformation began to take shape no more than a couple of months into Lachlan’s tenure, events in July 2019 like the Fauna Park Fun Day attracting 2200 visitors and the introduction of Australia’s most venomous snake to the animal family — the Inland Taipans in August.
“The first draft of the KFP masterplan, which I designed alongside world-renowned zoo designer Jon Coe, the KFP committee of management and park staff, was unveiled to the Kyabram community for comment in September.
“That set the stage for future developments,” he said.
The Birds of Prey Day followed in October of the same year, after the success of the first event which drew 1700 people. Then, in November, came the return of dingo pups after a six-year absence from the park.
The year concluded with the launch of KFP’s very first Zoo Keeper for the Day program in December, which soon became fully booked out.
In what would be a series of rewarding moments for Lachlan, he received the Australasian Society of Zookeeping’s Conservation Award in 2019.
It was peer recognition by the wider zoological industry of the years of tireless work and dedication to the preservation of threatened species.
“As the world grappled with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we faced our own set of trials, albeit behind closed doors.
“My team continued to work tirelessly, despite a temporary closure in March 2020, which caused a reflection on staff numbers and the threat of potential closure due to financial strain.
“During this time, we all took significant reductions to ensure we were all able to stay together.
“Despite the hardships, and with the unwavering support of the community, we welcomed cassowaries in April and initiated Night Tours in September,” he said.
Like Lachlan’s Zoo Keeper for the Day initiative, the night tours sold out within a couple of weeks.
In November, Lachlan and Kyabram Fauna Park gained recognition (and fame) on an international stage as the park was featured on multiple episodes of the hit BBC and ABC television series Scottish Vets Downunder.
In 2021, Kyabram Fauna Park’s fortunes took a turn for the better.
A successful funding bid by Lachlan and the KFP committee chair secured $1.95 million from COVID Economic Stimulus and Murray-Darling Basin grant funding.
“Construction began on a new visitor entry and meerkat enclosure in August, the enclosure chosen from a variety of community suggestions.
“We took into account commercial drivers that would continue to grow the park.
“The park continued to gain momentum and caught the attention of Zoos Victoria, leading to the first meeting between myself, Marg Allan the KFP committee chair and the Zoos Victoria Board and senior executive team in September,” he said.
In 2022 there was further construction, including a new reptile house funded by Murray-Darling Basin funds and Campaspe Shire Council in March — a long-time passion project for Lachlan.
“That project eventually culminated in a world class herpetology centre for husbandry and welfare, leading to the acquisition of Kyabram’s first reticulated python, the longest snake in the world,” he said.
“To top off what was a huge year of achievements and perhaps myself and his team’s greatest achievement — ZAA accreditation.
“That was achieved in April, a testament to the park’s commitment to animal welfare and conservation through the previous four years.”
Meerkats soon joined the park in July, marking another milestone and significantly boosting visitation, which had been steadily growing year on year.
The crowning achievement came in July when Zoos Victoria announced its ownership of Kyabram Fauna Park, initiating a merger that would align KFP with the largest and most globally renowned zoo-based conservation organisation.
The transition began, led by Lachlan and the transition manager Tessa McLachlan.
As a result, from October, Kyabram Fauna Park officially operated under the Zoos Victoria banner.
The story of Kyabram Fauna Park is a testament to the resilience of nature and the human spirit.
“It is a reminder to everyone that with determination, passion, commitment and collaboration, we can overcome even the most challenging obstacles,” Lachlan said.
“It is bittersweet leaving the park at such a pivotal moment in it’s history, but I can leave knowing that the park, its animals and the legacy I have built over the last five years will live on,” he said.
Ending with one of his favourite quotes from Nelson Henderson (a Scottish rugby league legend) and never more prevalent than the present “The true meaning of life is to plant a seed for a tree, under whose shade you may never get to sit”.
Kyabram Free Press and Campaspe Valley News editor