With the mercury rising to 34 in the past week, park owner Nancy Small said she is already stepping up water supplies to ensure the animals keep hydrated. 

She said most of the time, koalas will struggle with the heat and kangaroos will begin to come in from forest looking for water and feed.

During the summer storm season, the park also sees an influx of homeless birds that have been blown out of nests.

Waterways turns on a micro mist for its koalas at the park enclosure during heatwaves as well as sprays for the kangaroos and lizards. 

Nancy said the reptiles like to bath in a lot of water during the hotter months as it helps their skin for shedding. 

“Water is the most important thing for all the animals in summer,” she said. 

“We are making sure there is plenty and checking on them all the time as the heat comes in fairly quickly.”

Nancy is asking residents to make sure they don’t disturb native animals like koalas and kangaroos during hot periods and to keep quiet.

If they come across a koala in the backyard, turn the sprinkler on to cool off the air. 

Nancy said koalas will go to ground in search for water. 

“We want to get across to people not to run around and make noises to stress out animals if they come across them in town. 

“Make sure they’ve got water as well as your dog.

“Sometimes people get a bit anxious and want to catch them or move them, but you basically just need to provide more water and leave them alone.”