Visiting Sydney's Wildlife

It was a rainy day in Sydney when I continued my adventures of discovering Australia's wildlife. I couldn't find a more perfect place to do it than to go to Sea Life and the Wild Life Parks. Sea Life Trust is a maritime conservation charity set up to protect marine wildlife and habitats worldwide.

Below you'll find the honorable mentions of my visit; the animals you won't want to miss when you come to visit Australia! Many of them, you'd probably never heard of before!

Some of the favorite animals I've learned about:

The White's Seahorse

Also known as the Hippocampus white, they can be found on the East Coast of Australia. They have a lifespan of 5 years. And for Sea Life, 2025 was the sixth year of their seahorse breeding and release project, which helps this endangered species. Last year, they released 700 seahorses back into the wild!

The Dugong

Pig, the Dugong

Here's Pig! One of only three Dugongs in captivity (One is in Japan, the other in Abu Dhabi) . Pig was rescued in 1998 from Forest Beach in Northern Queensland. He was less than a week old. Pig was the name given to him, almost so the rescuers would not get attached, as he was supposed to be released in the following years. While he was rehabilitated and released, only 8 months later, Pig was found again. He had lost 25% of his body weight and was in very poor condition. So, he was rescued again. However, this time, his carers decided that his life would be safer at Sea Life rather than try to release him a second time.

Tree Kangaroo

Since moving to Australia, I’ve discovered so many birds and animals I never even knew existed. One of the first creatures I saw when I visited the Wild Life Park in Sydney was the Tree Kangaroo—and let me tell you, I was completely mesmerized. I never expected to fall in love with such an unusual animal, but the Tree Kangaroo quickly became my new favorite

The Tree Kangaroo can be found in the northern part of Queensland and the tropical parts of New Guinea. They are an endangered species where fewer than 100,000 are left in the wild.

Southern Cassowary

Princess

Last, but not least, we got Princess! (Yes, I'm not making it up, his name is Princess). I believe his name comes from high maintenance. He enjoys baths in the summers but doesn't like to get his feet wet above his ankles. But don't let him fool you. Although Princess was really cute, and harmless across the glass, I wouldn't want to run into them in the wild! They are known as the most dangerous birds in the world. Although it is not venomous, their feet have very long claws, that they will use to defend themselves (very dangerous!).

Is it just me or do penguins always look a little lost?

I also saw some pretty cute penguins! If you're there at the right time, you can try to spot these small wild penguins in Manly, if you ever visit Sydney. Unfortunately, when I went, (mid-April), they were all gone! But, I got to see them at Aquarium :)

Closing Thoughts:

Now that I’ve been in Australia for a little over three months, I thought it was time to reflect on some of the wildlife encounters I’ve had—or, more accurately, haven’t had. This one goes out, especially to my fellow Americans, many of whom responded to my study abroad plans with some variation of: “Aren’t you worried about the snakes and spiders?”

These are wallabies!

Let me set the record straight.

Despite the infamous reputation Australia has earned in memes and travel warnings, I’m here to testify that my experience has been far from a scene out of a wildlife horror film. I have yet to see a single snake. Not on the road, not in the bushes, and not lurking in my shoes. And the spiders? None have made a surprise appearance in my bedroom, bathroom, or any indoor space for that matter.

Instead, what I have seen is a country teeming with vibrant, unique wildlife—none of which have tried to kill me (so far). So, I hope this post showed a bit of how Australia's wildlife can be unique, and worth a visit!