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Cruise season visitors to Tasmania’s Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary on shore tours in search of authentic travel experiences are contributing to the sanctuary’s efforts to save endangered native wildlife.

According to the sanctuary’s operators, about a quarter of visitors to the centre during the peak tourism season are from cruise ships visiting Hobart.

Greg Irons, the director of the sanctuary, is enthusiastic about the many cruise visitors who make the 25-minute drive north from Hobart to see the sanctuary in action and examples of the wildlife that are saved on a daily basis.

The contribution of cruise visitors has helped the sanctuary expand its life-saving work in looking after an increasing number of native animals.

“We run the main wildlife rescue service in Tasmania looking after around 9000 animals each year and we also operate a wildlife hospital,” Greg said.

“The contribution that cruise visitors make to our operations means that they are part of the solution in saving animals.

“They aren’t just here to give some animals a tickle and a pat. They are actually saving wildlife because we are a sanctuary not a zoo.

“Visitors want to know they are making a positive impact with their tour dollars.”

Visitors have opportunities to come face to face with echidnas, koalas and emus but also the Tasmanian natives such as Tassie devils, wombats and quolls.

The sanctuary has six specialist staff including three veterinarians on site and surgery is performed there three days a week.

Carnival Australia Destinations Director, Michael Mihajlov, said the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary tour is an excellent example of the authentic and meaningful experiences that cruise visitors are seeking.

“A wildlife sanctuary saving native animals from destruction is just the sort of authentic experience that our guests are looking for,” Mr Mihajlov said.

“Everyone likes to see cute animals but in visiting Bonorong our guests know that they are part of a mission that is much bigger than a simple wildlife experience.

“Our guests learn a lot but they also leave the sanctuary knowing that they have contributed to its work. Their contribution through a shore tour is helping to save more endangered wildlife.”

According to Greg Irons, preparing for cruise visitors, especially at the height of the cruise season, is crucial. The sanctuary wanted to attract more guests from the ships and planned for it.

“The cruise ship tours are massive for us. We have the operation down pat like a well-oiled machine,” Greg said.

“Even before the ships started coming in, we had done the preparation. We have 40-odd staff and we have them all on when we have tour groups coming in.

“Even my parents are here. They greet the coaches when they arrive and have a yarn to the groups to make them feel welcome.

“We show the visitors animals that they can’t see at a zoo because we are a sanctuary — we are not a zoo.”