WE’RE MELBOURNE’S MOBILE ZOO.
For nineteen years, Reptile Encounters has been creating unforgettable wildlife experiences that educate, inspire, and connect people with the natural world. From wildlife incursions that bring live animals into Melbourne classrooms to wildlife corporate events for teams and organisations. Our programs are delivered to the highest standard, combining engaging storytelling with calm, respectful wildlife demonstrations.
We’re proud to be finalists in the Australian Small Business Champion Awards in 2024 and 2025, recipients of the Bx Business Xcellence Award in 2024, and winners of the Enablement Award for Most Outstanding Innovation in the NDIS/Disability Sector in 2025 for our Pathways Program — recognition that reflects our commitment to inclusion, innovation, and meaningful impact.
At our heart, Reptile Encounters is about creating a legacy. We aim to spark curiosity and empathy in students, educators, and communities, inspiring small actions that make a real difference. Through powerful wildlife experiences, we help shape a generation of 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!
PROUDLY AWARD-WINNING SINCE 2020
Reptile Encounters is a multi-award-winning wildlife education provider. Our work has been recognised with the Enablement Awards for the Most Outstanding Innovation in the NDIS/Disability Sector, the Bx Business xCellence Awards for Business of the Year in Education Services, the Monash Business Awards in Science & Education, and the Abundance Global Awards as The Innovator and Community Champions. These honours reflect our ongoing commitment to innovation, education, and community impact across Australia.
MEET THE TEAM
JOSH
COX
Director
CATHERINE
MALLIA
Education Manager
STEF
ORMESHER
Operations & Pathways Manager
BRYCE
LEENAERTS
Wildlife Ambassador Field Manager
ROSIE
ETHERTON
Pathways Floor Manager
NICOLE (NIC)
SEVILLA
Executive Assistant to the Director
KRIZIA
LUCERO
Growth and Partnerships Team Manager
JERICA
CAPARAS
Senior Growth and Partnerships Team
YSABEL
ALLYNA MUÑOZ
Senior Growth and Partnerships Team
BETH
SUICO
Growth and Partnerships Team
TRISHA
RAMAS
Growth and Partnerships Team
JESSICA
VILLA
Growth and Partnerships Team
BEN
BROWN-GREAVES
Wildlife Ambassador Field Supervisor
SEBASTIAN
ARANDA
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
NIC
AITKEN
Senior Wildlife Ambassador
ALBERT
PECK
Senior Wildlife Ambassador and Pathways Facilitator
NINA
PHILLIPS
Senior Wildlife Ambassador and Pathways Facilitator
CHLOE
DAWS
Lead Pathways Facilitator and Senior Wildlife Ambassador
EMILY
HORTON
Lead Pathways Facilitator & Social Media
SANTI
VERGARA BARACALDO
Wildlife Ambassador
ABBEY
WELLS
Wildlife Ambassador
ANALIESE
SCHMITT
Wildlife Ambassador
CHLOE
HEALE
Wildlife Ambassador and Senior Pathways Facilitator
CAM
DENMAN
Wildlife Ambassador and Pathways Facilitator
CATE
MORLEY
Pathways Facilitator
SABINE
HICKS
Pathways Facilitator
BEC
NICHOLS
Pathways Facilitator
ALIX
BERNAMOFF
Pathways Facilitator
ILIANA
SULIMAN
Pathways Facilitator
JASMINE
DIECK
Pathways Facilitator
JESSICA
ANGELO
Pathways Facilitator
JOSH
DELANEY
Pathways Facilitator
MADDIE
PARKER
Pathways Facilitator
LATEST NEWS
VIEW MORE
Aussie Wildlife Show Chats with Josh and Stef
23 July 2026 Before Josh and Stef embarked on their epic Deadly Sciences fundraising trek along the Larapinta trail,...
Wildlife Corporate Events That Actually Connect People
Corporate events have a bit of a reputation. Another networking night. Another conference breakout session. Another team event everyone politely...
School Incursions Melbourne: Bring Wildlife to the Classroom with Reptile Encounters
When it comes to learning science in an interactive and accessible way, animal incursions in Melbourne schools can be a...
Reptile Encounters would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, the people of the Kulin Nation, who have never ceded sovereignty. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.