Animal Diaries Archive

Farewell Mick

2 November 2007

It is with a sad heart this week that we have had to say goodbye to one of the longest serving members of the Reptile department. "Little big" Mick is moving on to other pastures in the search of new challenges.

Mick was an important part of the team, often willing to help out and lend a hand where required. Over the years Mick has worked his way through the various training levels presented to reptile keepers here at Australia zoo. He has been working with the Zoo's collection of venomous snakes for some time, a collection which includes some of the most venomous snakes in the world. He has also had the opportunity to work closely with the Komodo dragons, which is something that not many people get the chance to do!

Mick was also frequently found helping the croc department during the many demos each the day, and was one of the keepers called on by many other departments if they needed an extra pair of hands!

As well as looking for new work challenges, Mick is also working his way through the ranks in his other area of interest – mixed martial arts cage fighting! Mick has been able to apply many of his reptile handling skills to his fighting career. He gets to use his lightning quick reflexes and his uncanny ability to read another persons movements to try and predict their moves before they make them!

Good on ya Mick, we all wish you the best in your pursuit for new heights!