An urban explorer was left stunned after realising he wasn't alone in what he believed to be an abandoned zoo.
The YouTuber, known as UrbexFilms, decided to sneak into the now-defunct Birdland Animal Park in New South Wales, Australia, to take a look around.
He's previously visited the 'most haunted abandoned insane asylum' Down Under, as well as a deserted hospital and a multi-million dollar mansion which had fallen into disrepair.
So, it's safe to say the Aussie lad thought a nice stroll around a zoo would be a walk in the park compared to his previous excursions.
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For the most part, it was - however, he claims to have gotten quite a surprise when roaming around some of the enclosures which a host of animals previously called home.
As a result, he's dubbed the now defunct zoo that was formerly known as Birdland Animal Park the 'most unique abandoned' location that he has ever explored.
It was one of the most beloved tourist attractions in the town of Batemans Bay before it shut its doors for good last year after five decades of welcoming visitors.
Locals and holidaymakers alike previously flocked to the park to see the incredible wildlife, which also welcomed injured creatures as well as those donated by their owners over the years too.
As well as various birds and reptiles, kangaroos, emus, wombats and echidnas, peacocks, deer and ostriches all lived alongside each other at Birdland Animal Park.
But it was forced to shut up shop in 2024 due to owner David Burnett's health, and the animals were subsequently rehomed, according to local news outlet Region Canberra.
So when the urban explorer arrived at the property after his three-hour journey there, he expected to have the place to himself.
The YouTuber explained that 'everything' appeared to have been left behind upon the demise of Birdland Animal Park, including enclosures and a small train that previously took visitors on a ride around the zoo.
"It's completely untouched," he told his more than 88,000 subscribers. "These are some really nice enclosures here. Look at that. It's beautiful. Wow."
After roaming around what appeared to be a gift shop and cafe, the lad headed to the rear of the zoo and ran into some guinea fowl who were patrolling the abandoned park.
"Guinea fowls are a super cool bird," the content creator said, before suggesting: "And they would have had them here when they were open because guinea fouls, especially in Australia, they're used to keep away snakes.
"They actually hunt and eat snakes. They're very cool birds. So, those ones were probably here when this place was open."
He then mused around what was formerly a kangaroo enclosure, where he was careful to 'watch out' for snakes slithering among the overgrown vegetation.
"It feels so weird being inside the enclosures because you always see him from the outside, but never see him from the inside," the YouTuber told viewers of how it felt to briefly be a zoo animal.
But he didn't get to cosplay as a kangaroo for too long, as another magnificent animal then suddenly emerged - a male peacock.
The stunned Aussie was heard saying: "Oh! It's a peacock! Uh oh, it's coming over," as he then claimed: "I can't believe that they have left a peacock here! That's crazy."
"Just like those guinea fowls, that peacock would have just been left here when they closed down," he claimed. "This is a pretty cool place. I can't believe they had animals still left behind."
According to Region Canberra, the owners were unable to catch two of the peacocks who lived at the park when it was forced to close.
Locals also reported spotting a number of guinea fowl in the area too - but it is 'unclear' exactly who is responsible for the birds.
A spokesperson for Eurobodalla Shire Council told the publication in September that it is 'normally done by private landholders where appropriate, or through eradication programs run by Local Land Services for some public land'.
"However, council is aware of these birds and looking at options for their management," they added.
Upon its closure, the land won hich Birdland Animal Park sat was taken under the control of the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), which is said to be maintaining it for the time being.
The urban explorer also noted that the park appeared to be in good nick considering it had been shut for 12 months, pointing out that the lawns had been mowed in some spots.
Zookeeper Chad Staples, who works at Mogo Wildlife Park, explained that peacocks especially were very adaptable, telling Region Canberra: "Birds in general are very intelligent. They are synonymous with intelligence. They are very good at exploiting any environment."
However, he urged locals not to try and catch them or the guinea fowls if they ever came into contact, saying: "Realistically you should not try to catch an animal you don’t know. Invariably you will hurt yourself and the animal."
LADbible has contacted the LALC for comment.
Topics: Animals, World News, Australia
Olivia Burke