"There are many things to love about our beautiful country, but unsurprisingly, I am in constant awe of our diverse and highly unique wildlife species. Australian animals have evolved to survive in every habitat on the continent and are some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet."
Ben Dessen is director of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Sydney, a hub for biodiversity conservation, education and the recovery of threatened species. Here, native wildlife are rescued, cared for and rehabilitated with passionate dedication from Ben and his team.
You may have seen Ben on various TV shows like The Pet Show, The Morning Show, & Better Homes & Gardens, advocating for the animals and handling a snake while he's at it! He has also written a book, The Ultimate Pet Handbook, an essential guide especially aimed at children looking after their pets.
Since receiving his first pet at age six, a Children's Python named Rosie, Ben has been a best friend to the animals. Here we chat to Ben about over coming a fear of snakes, changing our misconceptions about some of the lesser known Australian species, and how we can each contribute to taking care of our amazing and precious Australian fauna and flora.
Ben with Monty the Lace Monitor, one of Australia's largest lizards. Monitor Lizards use their forked tongues to ‘smell’ the air, just like snakes.
What kind of Australian environment do you live in?
I am extremely fortunate to live in the Australian bushland of northwest Sydney in the beautiful Hills District. Far enough from the city to enjoy the natural surrounds and be connected to nature, but still close enough to enjoy everything Sydney has to offer!
Have you always been surrounded by animals? What was the first animal encounter you can remember?
From the day I was born, animals have been a massive part of my life. As a toddler, my best mate was our German Shepherd, Jake, and I would often crawl outside and play in his kennel, even drinking from his dog bowl (hence my strong immune system!).
There was a creek down the road and most afternoons were spent catching tadpoles, yabbies, eels and any other creatures I could find. These are some of my earliest memories and I used to love watching the tadpoles I’d caught develop into frogs, before releasing them back into the creek.
Moo the Emu, rescued as a chick and now 4 years old and 6 feet tall!
Who was your first pet?
My first pet was a beautiful little Children’s Python named Rosie, who I was gifted for my sixth birthday from my parents. Rosie was the size of a large worm when I got her, and I became instantly obsessed.
I had Rosie for 24 wonderful years before she passed away only recently. Caring for Rosie as a child taught me many important life lessons, including responsibility, compassion, and empathy for other living creatures. It was also the catalyst that sparked my lifelong passion and commitment to protecting all creatures great and small.
You have a pet Green Tree Python called Verdi, how do you create a connection with a snake like you would a dog or a cat, is this just something that comes immediately? How do you tell if they are scared, happy (can’t wag a tail), or sad?
Unlike mammals, reptiles don’t actively seek out affection as most species are solitary and generally live on their own in the wild. However, they will easily become accustomed to regular handling and are super interesting to interact with.
Pythons make the most fascinating pets and are relatively low maintenance compared to more traditional pets such as dogs or cats. Whilst a snake won’t wag its tail when it’s happy, most snake keepers will quickly become familiar with their pet’s body language and will be able to easily tell if their pet is relaxed, anxious or even hungry!
For anyone with a fear of snakes, what would your advice be?
Most people who have never had the opportunity to meet a snake up-close may have the pre-conceived idea that they are slimy, scary creatures that are out to get us. However, this could not be further from the truth. Snakes are shy, gentle creatures who would rather hide or flee than face a human.
My greatest advice for anyone with a fear of snakes would be to step outside your comfort zone and have an up-close encounter with a friendly python at a zoo or wildlife park. In most cases people who handle a snake completely change their perception of these remarkable creatures.
I have personally helped numerous people overcome their fear of snakes and have even seen some people who were previously so scared of snakes, they couldn’t even look at an image of one, actually end up keeping one as a pet!
When teaching children about animals, what are some of the most important messages you try to get across?
The current situation our wildlife is facing is sadly pretty dire. It is more important now, than ever before to educate children to respect wildlife and nature and motivate them to play their part in conservation. The single most important message I try and convey to children (or people of any age), is that every individual has the power to make a difference. The actions we take today, no matter how big or small, can collectively have a lasting positive impact for the future of our environment. The most important thing is to do something.
At the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary you take in wild animals that have been kept as pets and then surrendered to the sanctuary, what are your thoughts on taking in wild animals as pets?
One of the greatest threats wildlife are facing, apart from habitat destruction and the impacts of climate change, is the illegal wildlife trade. The illegal wildlife trade is a multi-billion-dollar global industry and is a major contributing factor to the decline of countless species. Sadly, many wildlife species fetch extremely high prices on the black market which is why they continue to be harvested from the wild and shipped around the world in the most horrific conditions imaginable.
We desperately need governments around the world to crack down on these syndicates and play their part in bringing an end to this cruel trade. Animals should never be taken from the wild and thankfully, Australia has strict laws in place to try and prevent this.
"A Giant Rainforest Mantid! One of Australia’s largest praying mantis species, these incredible invertebrates call the tropical rainforests of North Queensland home. They are ruthless hunters and will consume any small insect they can catch, often eating them while they are still alive!"
What is the most underrated creature in Australian wildlife that you’ve come across? Koala’s get all the attention, but what about species that have an important role to play in the ecosystem?
I am a massive advocate for the ‘lesser-known’ wildlife species that don’t often receive the same attention and media exposure that our more iconic animals do. Flagship umbrella species such as Koalas and Tasmanian Devils play important roles in securing funding and support from governments and the public. If we protect these species and their habitats, we also protect the many other equally as important animals in those same eco-systems, including the smaller mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and fish.
One of the most misunderstood, and underrated groups of Australian wildlife would have to be our bats, in particular the Flying Foxes. Flying Foxes are a keystone species, meaning they play a crucial role in keeping our eco-systems alive. Flying Foxes are long-distance pollinators and seed dispersers of many Australian native plants. Without them, our beautiful Australian forests would collapse.
Sadly, there are many misconceptions out there about bats and they are often viewed as disease-ridden, noisy, smelly pests and are persecuted in some communities around Australia. Many of these misconceptions are untrue and I haven’t met a person yet whose heart didn’t instantly melt when they had the opportunity to meet an adorable Flying Fox up close. They really are the puppies of the sky!
Smaug the Bearded Dragon
Top 3 tips for what we could all do to support wildlife in our everyday?
My top 3 tips for people wanting to support wildlife are:
- Create a Wildlife Friendly Garden – Start with your very own backyard and plant a variety of native species to attract wildlife and create a safe-haven. Species such as Grevillea, Bottlebrush and Lilly Pilli all look great and also provide a source of food for many native species.
- Donate - Research your local wildlife rescue group and if you can contribute to them financially, every dollar goes a very long way. Most wildlife carers receive no government financial assistance (we are working hard to change that) and rely solely on the generous support of the local community to carry out their important work.
- Volunteer – Role up your sleeves and volunteer with your local Landcare group and get involved in bush regeneration and tree planting in your local area. You could also join your local wildlife rescue group and become a carer, rescuer or transporter of injured wildlife.
You spend a lot of time in nature, what do you get up to (when you’re not caring for the animals of course).
Running a wildlife sanctuary takes up a huge amount of my time and is certainly a labour of love. I thoroughly enjoy seeing animals in the wild, and have been fortunate enough to travel the world, witnessing some of the most incredible creatures in their natural habitats. I try and immerse myself in nature as often as possible, whether it’s going for a bush walk, kayak, or simply exploring the local creek.
How does nature nourish you?
I draw a huge amount of inspiration from the natural world and appreciate the beauty in every living thing. I feel a deep connection to nature and work tirelessly to try and motivate others to care for and respect our environment and wildlife as well. I am nourished and re-energised, simply by spending time in nature, even if it’s just a short bush walk at the end of a big day, taking in all the sights, sounds and smells the Australian bush has to offer.
What do you love about Australia?
There are many things to love about our beautiful country, but unsurprisingly, I am in constant awe of our diverse and highly unique wildlife species. Australian animals have evolved to survive in every habitat on the continent and are some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet. We are incredibly lucky to live in Australia and owe it to our precious wildlife to do everything we can to ensure their preservation and survival, well into the future.
Ben and his Labrador, Belle
Interested to learn more?
Follow Ben on Instagram for fun animal facts and an inside look into the animals at Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
You can purchase his book The Ultimate Pet Handbook here.
Find out more about volunteering or donating to Hills Wildlife Sanctuary here.