Princess Eugenie’s touching words after Australian bushfires
Princess Eugenie has shared a throwback photo to when she paid a visit to Australia’s Mogo Wildlife Park, which recently reopened after being threatened with bushfires earlier in the year.
The never-before-seen photos from 2009 show Eugenie posing with meerkats at the park, which is located near Batemans Bay in New South Wales, during a trip to see her aunty Jane Ferguson.
“I was lucky enough to go to @mogowildlifepark in 2009 whilst visiting my Aunt in Australia,” wrote the Queen’s granddaughter.
“It was such an incredible experience to be with the animals and meet such a dedicated team of people supporting these magnificent creatures.”
Eugenie then spoke about her “awe” at the zoo’s staff for their determination to protect the park and the animals from the bushfires that ravaged the NSW South Coast in January.
“Chad Staples, the zoo’s director, received a text ‘leave now to the east towards the beach and shelter in place’, but he and his team chose instead to stay and fight the fire to save the park’,” she wrote.
“I’m in awe of how human determination and drive can overcome such terrifying circumstances and I wanted to share this story of hope after what Australia has been through.
“All my thoughts have been and are with all those who are affected by the fires in Australia”.
Instagram users shared those same sentiments, while praising Eugenie for her thoughtful words.
“Those keepers at Mogo are absolute heroes,” wrote one user.
“The animals would have perished in the fire if they hadn’t stayed and defended. They also took the smaller animals into their own homes for protection. Amazingly brave and dedicated men and women.”
Another added, “thank you for supporting the Aussies”.