by Carla Caruso

Loving animals and your Park Lands often goes hand-in-hand.

And this is certainly true of parkgoer Cris Katona. He’s the browse coordinator at Monarto Safari Park – the sister site of Adelaide Zoo (in Park 11).

When Cris isn’t scouring for plant material (or ‘browse’) for the animals at Monarto, he’s hanging out in your Park Lands, enjoying everything from the local birdlife to the century-old trees.

Recently, we spoke to Cris about his passions and his intriguing career.

*Cris Katona on duty in Monarto Safari Park.*

Hi, Cris. Please tell us a little about your work as a browse coordinator at Monarto Safari Park.

Being a browse coordinator at Monarto Safari Park definitely keeps me on my feet and burns the calories quickly.

It is a five-day per week job, having to source specific species of trees with good foliage for each of our departments/animals – to provide a healthy diet and the nutrients the animals need.

The job is very specific, and you definitely need to be on the ball. Our master browse list has thousands of species of trees.

However, not all the same tree species are compatible with the animals at Monarto Safari Park, making browse-sourcing much more challenging and I travel up to – and over – 1000km per week to keep up with the high demand of browse [or foliage on branches].

(Ed’s note: Monarto Safari Park offer free, professional tree-pruning services on selected species. More here.)

*Bat hour in Botanic Park (Park 11), captured by Cris Katona.*

Have you always had a passion for animals?

I remember my first dog when I was about six years old - a beautiful blue heeler, with plenty of energy, named Blu.

I absolutely adored Blu and spent so much time with him, making that unbreakable bond, which led to my love of animals.

I remember back in primary school, hearing some classmates saying, “Oh, I want to be a fireman.” Another kid wanted to be a police officer, and another a farmer etc. I wanted to work with animals.

Being a part of the animal conservation projects at Monarto Safari Park definitely comes from having that passion and drive to help these amazing, endangered species thrive and be safe from poaching, and to help bring them safely back in numbers.

*Sunrise at Cris’s amazing workplace in Monarto. Photo: Cris Katona.*

The whole team out here is truly amazing in what they do and what they achieve. I have been with Zoos SA for a few years now.

Previously, I was in the horticultural and viticultural industry for over seven years with a company called Arborgreen.

This involved looking after and consulting councils all over Australia, as well as Ayers Rock Resort, on their lawns, gardens, horticultural and equipment supplies.

Prior to that, I was a cheesemaker at [organic dairy] Paris Creek Farms for a couple of years. So, really, I have been around animals all my life.

*This beauty was caught on film by Cris Katona in Adelaide Botanic Garden (Park 11).*

What’s your most loved spot in the Adelaide Park Lands, and why?

My favourite bit of Park Lands is definitely Park 11. I always love walking along Murdoch Avenue, past the 157-year-old Moreton Bay fig trees (Ficus macrophylla). It amazes me on how large they truly can grow.

I try to get down to the Adelaide Park Lands a couple of times a month as I like the walks, the different species of trees and flowers – and the local bird wildlife is amazing.

Personally, I think there isn’t anything else better than being outside with nature.

*Camping in Meningie in SA’s South-East. Photo: Cris Katona.*

You’re also quite the camper. What interesting places has this hobby taken you to?

There isn’t anything better than finding a nice, secluded spot to camp, and enjoying the peace and serenity – and the gorgeous sunsets – our beautiful country has to offer.

A few of the camping destinations I have been to are Uluru, Kata Tjuta (‘The Olgas’) and Katherine in the NT, and Far North Queensland.

But the most unforgettable camping trip I have done was Fowlers Bay [on SA’s Eyre Peninsula] to Yalata IPA lands [on the Nullarbor Plain].

That part of the world is absolutely amazing with wildlife, and the scenery is stunning.