Marine lovers can get to know the city’s favourite sea-cows on a new Dugong Keeper Experience at Sea Life Sydney, in Darling Harbour. This backstage pass gives you a proper introduction to Pig and Wuru, two dugongs who’ve lived at the aquarium since 2008.
There are only four dugongs under human care in the entire world, so meeting the two Sydney residents is a very special experience. While you won’t get to swim with – or cuddle – the graceful sea-cows (they’re shy and susceptible to human illnesses) you’ll get to perform all the daily duties of a dugong keeper.
When Time Out visited, we learnt that feeding the pair is the biggest part of the process. They eat between 60-80 kg of lettuce a day – so a tray of leafy greens every 15 minutes. Tour guide Rowena Chong showed us how to prepare this bulky salad and she told us that guests on the tour will also learn how to care for the animals as well as getting access to keeper-only areas in the aquarium.
“They get to wash the lettuce, thread it into special trays and then they get exclusive access to the lower deck of the dugong tank to feed them,” she said. “They also get to choose an enrichment toy for them. It’s something that we do with our dugongs to keep them occupied and stimulate their minds and senses.”
The tours are limited to only four visitors (aged ten or over) at a time, so you can ask all the questions you want to about this vulnerable species. There’s eight sessions running daily from 1-5pm, and booking includes entry to the aquarium. The tour costs $73.60-$92 and it’s available to book now.