Page 40 - Tropic Magazine Issue 38

TROPIC • COVER STORY

Animal instinct

As a Wildlife Keeper at Wildlife Habitat To watch a crocodile’s behaviour and
– Port Douglas, Paige Garton educates understand the instinct that’s unfolding
guests about her passion: animals! is such an honour … all while improvising
Behind the scenes, she devotedly cares for a show and letting your own passionate
them, while out front she inspires others dialogue come through.
to have the same respect.
Paige’s other passion is theatre (she’s done If you weren't a tour guide, you
a bachelor’s degree), which complements would be …
her performances perfectly. Focusing more on my interest in animal
training. Getting to know all the birds at
work was as intricate a process as fitting
Q&A in with my colleagues!
How would you describe your
guiding style? Do you have a pre or post tour routine?
Guests tell me my passion and Sometimes I like to take a minute to take
enthusiasm create special moments. some deep breaths. Other days, despite
Those traits extend to a willingness to the nerves or however else I am feeling,
work hard to ensure the health and I like to just throw myself into it.
wellbeing of our animal family.
Favourite local cafe or restaurant
Tell us about a particularly The Central Hotel in Port Douglas. It’s
memorable presentation a regular spot for my friends and I, so it Dogs or cats?
I have recently been signed off to host our feels like home. Plus, it has some great Dogs all the way. I have a Jack Russell X
Crocodile Feeding Presentation. I admire vegan options. Maltese named Hollie. She is my family
the keepers who do this. You need to base and best friend.
your decisions on the behaviours of our Most famous guest
two adult male crocodiles. Each has its Recently, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry MORE: wildlifehabitat.com.au
own personality and feeding strategy. came to Wildlife Habitat for the day.

People mover

John Behne is a driver and guide for Q&A
Cairns Adventure Group’s Active Tropics How would you describe your Do you have a pre or post tour routine?
Explorer, taking guests into Mossman guiding style? I like to introduce everyone to each
Gorge and the Daintree. Packed with I would say personalised. I like to give other as soon as they’re on the coach to
personality, he’s never had an office everyone a personal experience as people help break the ice. It makes for a more
job and would like to keep it that way! are often looking to take different things enjoyable trip once everyone’s met each
John gets a real kick out of interacting away from their tour. other and they can start interacting.
with people and sharing his experience.
He likes to create connections not just Tell us about a particularly Favourite local cafe or restaurant
between himself and guests, but between memorable trip NOA in Edge Hill. I go there a lot and the
all those who come along for the ride. Back in the 90s I almost got cut off in the food and atmosphere is fantastic. They
Daintree due to flash flooding. I had a use a lot of local produce and change
full bus of rather nervous customers and the menu regularly so there’s always
we only just made it out before they shut something new to try.
down the ferry. If I hadn’t got out when I
did, we all would have been stuck for who Dogs or cats?
knows how long! Dogs - they’re way more loyal than cats
and have more character. I had my dog
If you weren’t a tour guide, you Gypsy (a corgi/daschund/blue terrier/flea
would be … bitten mutt) for 16 years and she was my
Retired! No, that’s not true, I’m too best mate. After she passed, my wife got a
young to retire and I get bored too easily. Labradoodle. She’s now my ex-wife.
It would be something involved with
interacting with people.
MORE: capetribulationadventures.com.au

40 • Tropic • Issue 38