We also offer environmental education opportunities to community groups and educational institutions. Located on 600 acres in the picturesque Hindmarsh Valley, South Australia, Softfoot Marsupial Sanctuary provides a safe home to eight Australian Marsupial species. The passionate owners of Softfoot Sanctuary are Gary and Sandy Retallick and conservation and environmental consciousness have underpi
nned all of the property’s endeavours since its inception in 2002. Since then, large-scale conservation projects have been undertaken, including;
The creation of three extensive fully feral proof Sanctuaries and an enclosed intensive breeding facility (with a further eight intensive breeding enclosures currently being constructed to increase capacity)
The construction of a Murray-Darling based wetland ecosystem that provides habitat for rescued long neck tortoises that have now bred into a strong population. The wetland is also home to the endangered fresh water fish species the Purple spotted gudgeon (Mogurnda adspersa) and Climbing galaxias (Mogurnda adspersa)
Extensive native tree and shrub planting – 50,000+ that has encouraged the return of native species that had departed the area due to vegetation clearance. In addition to the Sanctuary, Softfoot Alpaca Stud runs a herd of over 1000 environment friendly alpacas on the property. There are three full time employees who manage the stud and care for the native wildlife. Softfoot is fully funded by philanthropy. It has a management and succession plan in place for the next 100 years.
