Secrets of a ZOOKEEPER

NOEL LOVES HIS WORK ON THE WILD SIDE

- By Ruth McCarthy

When most people gush about their cats, they are typically referring to a fluffy pet. But not Noel Harcourt, whose favourite felines are more of the 'wild' type!

Noel, 72, is a lifelong animal-lover and former zookeeper. It's a job he dreamt of doing ever since he was a boy, when his father, Con, took him on his first visit to Melbourne Zoo.

"It was 1960. All the exotic animals blew my little mind," Noel tells New Idea.

Begging his dad to build a “menagerie” in their backyard, all Noel wanted to do when he grew up was to work with animals. Despite his hopes initially being dashed by teachers, Noel eventually proved them wrong. He went on to have a 33-year career at the very zoo he frequented as a little boy.