Australia has unique fauna & flora so it's not surprising that you want to see as many unique animals as you can!

Animals have very complex social behaviours, foraging needs and requirements. Unfortunately, many zoos and wildlife sanctuaries cannot adequately meet these needs and most facilities only exist for human interaction & entertainment. Remember, wild animals cannot be tamed without cruelty so things like circuses and animal shows are unethical & irresponsible. 

Escape urban areas and visit rural parts of Australia to spot unique Australian animals in their natural habitat. Observe wild animals from a distance, to ensure you're not disrupting their daily routine. It's a good idea to join a reputable tour or hire a private guide to maximise your wild animal encounters. If visiting a wildlife sanctuary, check for eco-certifications and adherence to wildlife sanctuary standards to ensure your visit supports ethical and sustainable travel practises. Learn more about Australian eco-tourism standards by clicking here.

Feeding wild the animals teaches them to associate humans with food. This causes wildlife to congregate in small areas, thus increasing the risk of disease transmission. Feeding wild animals makes them more likely to get hit by cars, get into altercations with children or pets, or become aggressive when hungry and reliant on unnatural feeding. When wildlife become dependent on human food, it changes their natural behaviours like foraging. If humans are absent, the animals can starve. Also, migratory animals like birds may not migrate during their normal time of year due to the reliance on human food. Animal diets are highly specialised in accordance to their surroundings; human food does not contain nutrients that animals need and often they cannot tell the difference between food & plastics, wrappers etc. 

Avoid activities that advertise holding or petting wildlife as this interaction may cause stress to the animal. Feeding and petting wild animals can transmit diseases. Some native mammals, particularly wallabies & kangaroos, are prone to diseases caused by contact with humans, domesticated pets (cats & dogs) & noise. 

We all want to witness adorable animal babies in the wild, but it's important to be mindful during such encounters. All new parents are sensitive and protective of their young. Don't frighten animals as they may become aggressive towards you or others as a protection mechanism. Some wild animals are even known to abandon their young if stressed, leaving babies vulnerable. Be responsible by giving animals their space!