WE’RE MELBOURNE’S MOBILE ZOO.
Our programs have been running for the past twelve years and are of the highest standard. Reptile Encounters has been recognised as a finalist in the Australian Small Business Champion awards in 2016, 2017 and 2022.
Reptile Encounters aims to create a legacy with students and staff, in the hope that they will take steps at home to make a difference. With lasting memories, we connect students and adults with the natural world, sending them on the path to become better humans.
MEET JOSH COX
BMSc, Founder & Conservationist
As a society we are disconnected from nature. The advent of technology has changed the way we live, it has changed the way we interact and it has jammed a wedge between us and nature. Children, from the time they are born, are now inundated with technology. It has gone well beyond the 30 minutes of watching Playschool that was the norm a generation ago.
As we’ve become increasingly disconnected from our world and nature, the state of the planet has declined at quite a rapid rate. The threat of climate change is at our door. We are on the precipice of a mass extinction. If as a society we are disconnected from nature, we are not going to have the impetus to want to protect the planet.
I started Reptile Encounters because I want to give students the chance to connect with nature. I believe that people need to have that ‘inspire’ moment to be able to make the connection for themselves. By meeting animals in the flesh we engender a respect for our environment and equip students to make a difference!
MEET THE TEAM
JOSH
COX
Director
CATHERINE
MALLIA
Education Manager
STEF
ORMESHER
Operations & Pathways Manager
ARACELLI
TESSINI
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
BEN
BROWN-GREAVES
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
SEBASTIAN
ARANDA
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
BRYCE
LEENAERTS
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
ALBERT
PECK
Pathways Facilitator
CONNOR
DOLAN
Wildlife Ambassador
MAX
DAVENTHORPE
Pathways Facilitator
MILLIE
KLINGBEIL
Pathways Facilitator
ANGIE
SYMON
Wildlife Ambassador
EMILY
HORTON
Pathways Facilitator
JORDAN
CLOSE
Pathways Facilitator
SAM
STYLES
Pathways Facilitator
JARRYD
MORRIS
Pathways Facilitator
ROSIE
ETHERTON
Pathways Facilitator
BONNIE
McMAHON
Pathways Facilitator
ALYSSA
BRAND
Wildlife Ambassador
EMILY
BLACKBURN
Pathways Facilitator
ELISE
KINNAIRD
Pathways Facilitator
CHLOE
DAWS
Wildlife Ambassador
CATE
MORLEY
Pathways Facilitator
ANALEIGH
BIRCH
Wildlife Ambassador
SABINE
HICKS
Pathways Facilitator
BEC
NICHOLS
Pathways Facilitator
NINA
PHILLIPS
Wildlife Ambassador
NIC
AITKEN
Wildlife Ambassador
JAZ
BINK
Wildlife Ambassador
SCOUT
VOS
Wildlife Ambassador