MORE than 200,000 visitors pass through the gates of the picturesque Auburn Botanic Gardens every year and the fauna reserve is one its most popular attractions.
Cumberland Council’s supervisor, premium parks, Paul Clark says they have about 40 different species of native animals and birds in the Auburn fauna reserve including kangaroos and emus.
One popular addition is an eight-month-old, red-necked wallaby named Jacaranda, or Jac for short, born at the park last year.
Mr Clark says this summer’s hot and hazy weather conditions haven’t impacted on the animals so far but they are monitoring them closely, particularly on smoky days.
“Our keepers use our irrigation system to cool the animals on hot days,” he said.
“Our system isn’t on town water so we are able to use it to cool the animals with no restrictions.
“We also change their water bowls more frequently so they have cold water to drink.”
Located on the corner of Chisholm and Chiswick Roads in Auburn, the Auburn Botanic gardens are open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to 6pm.
Entry is free for residents of Cumberland and children under 16, and $4 a person for outside visitors.
