If you’re stuck for something to do this school holiday, you might want to head to Stoney Oaks Wildlife Park in Inglewood, Taranaki.
The park is home to kunekune pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, deer, miniature horses, and much more. It’s run by Gail and Trevor Simons, who started the park on their ten-hectare farm 34 years ago.
“We believe in the hands-on approach. So, kids don’t have to see them through a fence.”
One of the oldest residents is Grace, the black swan.
“We’ve had her for 30 years now. She was one of a pair called Grace and Favour. We lost Favour a few years ago, but Grace is still there. The emu’s the same – been with us 30 years.”
One of the newest arrivals is a Highland calf, born just a week ago.
“We’ve named him Barnsy after Neil Barns, the Taranaki coach. I hope he approves,” laughed Gail.
Highland cattle were of particular interest to Gail.
“I sat there in the paddock when she was giving birth, rubbed her back and told her to push. I love seeing something being born — it’s like a miracle.”
The park is a labour of love for Gail and Trevor, who’ve created magic around every corner.
Along with the dozens of animals, there’s a lake with a rowboat, a fairy trail through the woods, and a tree house where you can watch deer grazing. There’s also a mini-museum featuring New Zealand’s largest native timber collection.
On the day of Seven Sharp’s visit, the animals enjoyed the spoils of the local pumpkin-growing competition. “They love their pumpkin,” smiled Gail as she watched Hagrid the pig and Popsicle the pony enjoying their share.
Also watching on, an animal who’s not on show — but stealing it, nonetheless.
Prim, a kelpie, is the family dog who’s also a mother hen.
“Prim’s been a surrogate mum to a lot of animals here. Every time we get a new baby, she’s besotted with it.”
Prim was so interested in the park’s offspring that Gail and Trevor wondered if she might be trying to tell them something.
“We thought, she’s so clucky we’ll let her have a litter of pups, and she had three little boys. She’d be feeding them and then trot off to feed other babies. We had to try and stop her so she’d have enough for her pups.”
‘Surrogate mum’
Now, two years after having her own babies, Prim’s raising an orphaned fawn named Delilah.
“Delilah was a rescue fawn. Someone shot her mum, and then she got handed to me. She was wild and had a skinned nose and skinned leg. She was terrified of their dog, and they couldn’t get her on a bottle.
“She loved Prim from day one, just loved her. I thought she’d be scared of dogs, but no. It was like, ‘That’s my surrogate mum’.
“Prim spends all day with Delilah, licking her face, sitting with her, and even feeding her.”
At least Prim thinks she is feeding her.
“She’s only got a little bit [of milk]. Delilah thinks there’s milk there.”
Gail’s topping Delilah up with bottles and other food, but Prim is mostly mothering – even the unpleasant parts.
“Fawns, when they’re first born, they need their bums wiped so they can go to the toilet, so she does that so you don’t have to do it.”
Delilah isn’t the first baby Prim has adopted.
“She tries to lay down and feed everyone, piglets or fawns, lambs, just slobbering all over them,” said Gail.
“Every time there’s a new baby, she’s in as quick as she can, especially piglets. The pigs don’t care. She curls up with the piglets, and they leave her to do it.”
Hands-on animal experiences
The park is open to the public at weekends and school holidays. There’s a treehouse, a lake with a rowboat, and a fairy trail – along with the many hands-on animal experiences.
Entry is $20 for adults and $5 for children, which helps go toward the enormous feed costs of around a thousand dollars a month. However, visitors must also hand over some personal information.
“I ask people their names when they come in; someone always needs a name around here. I write them all on a list on the fridge,” laughed Gail.
She’ll need to refer to that list – one of the rabbits has just had babies. Each one was tiny in Gail’s hand, with eyes still closed.
“It’s OK,” she gently told the mother. “I’m just having a little look.
“That’s mum, she’s called Niva. Before she has babies, she’ll pluck all the fur off her chest to make a nest. You feel it; it’s so soft.”
For those who would rather linger, accommodation at the park sleeps up to six people. “The Barn” looks out over the farm, and guests can help feed the animals.
The irony of a mini-break isn’t lost on the owners.
“Holidays are a dirty word around here. You can’t say, ‘Feed the cat, I’m going off’,” laughed Gail.
“We need a vet who likes mucking out and picking up dung so we can have a break.”
Prim doesn’t seem to need a holiday.
“She’s had motherly instinct thing from day one. She has an amazing temperament; she loves everyone and everything.”
It’s abundantly clear Gail does, too.
“Animals are our passion in life. Yeah, I love it.”