Saving my zoo from Australian wildfires

Chad Staples is a zookeeper at Mogo Zoo in New South Wales in Australia, with giraffes, gorillas and even tigers in his care. In December 2019, the wildfires sweeping Australia closed in on the zoo, forcing Chad and his fellow keepers to battle for hours on end to put out the fires and usher the animals to safety, and Chad even took 25 of the smaller animals into his own house. Thanks to Chad’s quick thinking and the work of the zoo’s staff, all the animals have survived unscathed. Chad spoke to Jo Fidgen about his experience. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: Mariana Des Forges Photo: Chad Staples Credit: Courtesy of Chad Staples