Natureland’s new manager is still getting used to the fact that she doesn’t need to be wary of snakes when working around the park.
Leah Foster and her family moved to Nelson from Australia in early December so she could take up the role at Natureland Wildlife Park.
Leah was the head of the Africa Department at Australia Zoo, a place she has worked for more than a decade.
“Working with African animals was amazing, the department was big – a few hundred acres out the back.”
She says the department cared for rhino, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, red panda, lima, meercats and adult male kangaroos so it was a “bit of a random mix”.
Leah says while there were a lot of breeding programmes at Australia Zoo, Natureland is the first time she’s been involved with the breed to release programme - something that drew her to Natureland.
“It’s so incredible to be a part of it. I love that we do that here, it was the biggest drawcard for me. All my other breeding programmes have been for captive breeding.”
Leah says she’s enjoying being more involved with the running and decision-making of the business.
“I’m definitely coming up with ideas as I go along. I come from a zookeeping background, not a business one, so it has been wonderful to be learning that side.”
Over the next 12 months she would like to see some more projects around the park and possibly some new additions to the animals – although she says it’s too early to say what they might be.
Leah says she’s still getting used to being able to walk in the bush without keeping an eye out for predators.
“I still have my snake awareness all the time. I was working out the back, moving some material around here at Natureland, and my mind was on snakes when I remembered, ‘no, no, you’re okay, nothing’s going to be here’.
“Getting used to that is nice, the family don’t mind at all that there are not snakes everywhere.”
Leah made the move to Nelson with her husband and their two teenagers.
Arriving in December they took a road trip around the South Island, making the most of Leah’s month off.
“It was an absolutely incredible trip, so beautiful,” she says.
Now based in Nelson permanently, they spend their weekends driving round and discovering all the region has to offer.
“It’s all so beautiful here.”
Working with animals since high school, Leah brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the park including a degree in wildlife science, one in environmental sustainability and a certificate in vet nursing.
After high school, she went straight into vet nursing, which she stayed in for six years before moving to her first wildlife park in North Queensland, having an opportunity to live on the park.
“I was completely surrounded by it, there were saltwater crocs and things like that. It was all Australian fauna, it was amazing.”
Leah then took a break from working with animals while studying wildlife science before she began volunteering at Australia Zoo, starting paid work there in 2012.
She says there are currently no more plans to do further study, although there’s a lot to learn in the business management side of Natureland.
“If I do any more study my family will get cranky,” she laughs.
