Santa has arrived early at the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby.
On the first two weekends of December and continuing daily from December 16 to Christmas Eve, the Santa’s Safari will see the big man in red getting into the thick of the action by feeding Australia’s crankiest saltwater crocodile, Elvis.
He will also venture into the Park’s lagoon, home to more than 30 American alligators, during the 12:30pm alligator feeding show each weekend, dangling food over a walking plank.
The spectacle sends the giant reptiles into a feeding frenzy as they launch high out of the water, snapping for their meal.
Executive Director Tim Faulkner said staff were eager to share the magic of Christmas with visitors.
“It’ll bring me such joy seeing kids’ faces light up and hearing their little squeals of excitement as they see Santa feeding Elvis and our American alligators,” he said.
Additional entertainment during the Santa’s Safari event will include daily educational and exciting live animal presentations and visitors can meet and greet the Park’s variety of scaly reptiles and cuddly mammals as keepers roam around the Park.
Families can also get their annual Santa photo from 11am to 3pm at the Park, with sessions running on the first two weekends of December, and daily from December 16-24.
“Christmas is always our most exciting holiday here at the Park, so it made sense to bring the Christmas spirit early,” Faulkner said.
The Park has also announced an exciting new addition to its line-up of animal encounters.
Under the guidance of experienced keepers, visitors will be able feed Elvis the crocodile at 1.30pm on Sundays, starting from December 10.
what could possibly go wrong? I recall many years ago where this was done and Santa got wrong footed by Eric. I asked Santa after if it was as close as it appeared and they indicated it was probably closer than any of watching saw. This was an event where many reptile keepers clubs have their Christmas party on site so there were a lot of us who understood the behaviour.