Creature comfort

Manager of Te Paranui Animal Sanctuary, Alex Radford, has already achieved what takes many others most of their lives to find – her perfect job. Alistair Hughes finds out more about the ‘land-based Noah’s Ark’.

Growing up with a farming background, Alex’s life changed when she watched the 2005 documentary Earthlings, which featured hidden camera footage from some of the world’s largest animal-dependent industries. “It was quite rough seeing where animal products come from and how they are treated. I wanted to find out for myself if what I was seeing on the screen was actually happening here.”

Having studied photography, Alex conducted her own investigation, and what she found she describes as ‘horrible.’ “So, I became vegan around 14 years ago, and in making that choice to change my lifestyle, I wanted to give back to the animals I had seen being mistreated and killed.”

Few could argue that Alex is doing that in spades at Te Paranui – sometimes literally. Feeding and mucking out rescued animals of all sizes, from rabbits to a recently arrived Brahman bull, occupies Alex’s entire morning.

Her journey to caring for this ‘land-based Noah’s Ark’ in Koromiko began in 2018 when she rescued two male bobby calves who were about to be loaded onto a truck (a euphemism for transportation to an abattoir). For a cow to produce milk, she must first give birth, and the offspring become an unwanted byproduct of the dairy industry.

“About 2 million male and female calves a year in New Zealand are sent off because it’s not sustainable for the farmers to keep them,” says Alex. “Actually, a lot of farmers don't want to send bobbies off, and some are trying to crossbreed the dairy cattle with a meat breed to prevent that from happening.” In this situation, Alex met with the farmer and bought the calves. “Sometimes there's no way around it. A lot of people don't agree with that because they wouldn't consider it rescuing. But if I was in the animal’s position, I’d rather someone pay for me than be killed.”

Prior to this, Alex had been pursuing another aspect of her growing compassion for animals, studying animal health science through the Southern Institute of Technology. She gained a diploma in animal welfare and was set to continue her studies in Auckland but quickly found that being the new guardian of two rescued calves (now named Theodore and Colin) was going to keep her in Marlborough.

“But that turned out to be a unique opportunity. The study was always more about broadening my knowledge to help me into whatever came up.”

In her search for grazing land, she met Maia (aka Andrea Bahlsen), a former franchise lawyer originally from Switzerland, who had purchased an eight-acre block on the Para Wetlands.

Maia had established a permaculture project (a self-sustaining agricultural system) to help enrich her soil and support a plant-based lifestyle. Along with volunteers, she was also beginning to lay the foundations for an animal sanctuary. Not only had Alex found a home for her boys, but when Maia offered her the opportunity to expand and officially establish the sanctuary as a registered charity, she found a new career as well.

With the aim of rescuing and rehoming ex-farm animals and former pets, Alex oversaw the building of new dwellings and shelters in 2021. Farm animals, including Hustle the Brahman bull, share a six-acre grassland. “His skin is a lot thicker than New Zealand breeds,” laughs Alex, “so being by the wetlands is kind of perfect for him because he can't really get bitten by the mosquitoes and sandflies. But everyone else does!”

Alex’s last original rescue calf, Theo, sadly passed away in February from a worsening osteoarthritic condition. Having become known as ‘Marlborough’s most famous bull,’ a heartbroken Alex eulogised him in a Facebook post as “her best friend and guardian angel.” He leaves behind a small herd including calf Rocky and ‘mini cow’ Matao. Various sheep and alpacas – Holly, Pedro, Greta, and Tinchin – also call Te Paranui home.

Orphaned native pigs Pepper and Lottie enjoy spacious pens, while inseparable donkeys Dru and Dunkan were among the very first residents here. A herd of ponies and miniature breeds are led by Latte the ex-show horse, while even smaller animals include cats Spike, Elvis, and Goldie; Lola the giant Flemish rabbit; Ricky the rooster; and an aviary populated by cockatiels.

“Sometimes we get animals that have come from domestic abuse,” adds Alex on a sobering note, “and they come here to be rehabilitated and rehomed. We don't currently have a license for native animals, but we want to help any animal that needs it and have welcomed all the other types that we can have here.”

Sanctuary founder Maia fell in love with former racing greyhounds and built a 100 metre fenced area to allow them to exercise. She also set up Hounds4Life, a charity for rehoming dogs retired from racing, although resident greyhound Alfie loved life at Te Paranui so much that he ended up staying.

When the morning feeding and watering of the various animal residents and guests is over, Alex’s attention turns to property maintenance where required. “Because obviously that's important too. And then feeding again at 4pm. Throughout the day or in the evening, I am updating on social media, so it's non-stop, really.”

The Te Paranui Facebook page, which Alex maintains, is an excellent way of keeping up to date with the animals, as well as with opening hours. “After a break over winter, we're now open again for visitors on Saturdays,” says Alex. “I am on hand to greet the people when they arrive and answer any questions. Sometimes they want me to take them around and into pens with the larger animals, while others just like doing their own thing.”

Te Paranui is always ready to welcome volunteers, who are housed in a tiny cottage on-site. “We're definitely a lot busier in summer, and that's when all the volunteers want to come. They stay here for a minimum of three weeks and work for five hours a day, five days a week. In return, they get whole-food, plant-based meals and accommodation.”

The sanctuary also hosts visits from school groups of all ages. “They come and spend a day learning about caring for animals and what we do here. Education is important for us, and it’s really rewarding.”

Students also learn about cooking plant-based meals in conjunction with another of Maia’s initiatives, Earthbound Kitchen. Dedicated to promoting plantbased nutrition with minimal impact on animals and the land, Maia also holds longer courses for those interested in this diet and lifestyle. She emphasises, “To us, ‘animals are friends, not food’ is a core vision.”

In dedicating herself to animals, Alex has never found herself without support from the two-legged variety.

“Some people have different views about what we do, which is fine – we respect that. But everyone who has come here has always been very kind. And others who have surrendered or allowed us to purchase animals for rescue have all been understanding of our aims.”

Te Paranui Animal Sanctuary | https://teparanui.nz/

1310 State Highway 1, Koromiko , Marlborough

OPEN every Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm, weather permitting