Staff horrified by cruel incident

Staff horrified by cruel incident

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Grace Redfern was one of the staff to find the guinea pig.

A cruel incident involving a pregnant guinea pig has police asking for public assistance.

Guinea pig Milly was in her enclosure at Cohunu Koala Park in Byford on Sunday, October 24, when it is alleged two young people broke into the park around 2.55am and picked her up out of her enclosure.

Milly, who was pregnant and belonged to a volunteer, was thrown into the crocodile enclosure where she ended up in the pool.

A staff member at Cohunu said when they found her at 10am the next morning, she had drowned.

“One of our train workers told us there was a guinea pig floating in the crocodile pool,” she said.

“We had a few things stolen from the shed so we looked back over the cameras and that’s when we saw them do it.”

The culprits cut the barbed wire at the top of the fence in the south-east corner to break into the park.

The owner of the park, Nardino Sorbello, is looking to invest in infrared cameras to ensure greater security for their animals.

“We caught it on CCTV, they both had hoodies on and torches,” he said.

“Our crocodiles don’t eat guinea pigs and it wasn’t a very smart thing to do.

“The park’s staff are now installing new technology infrared camera systems from hidden locations around the park.”

Mr Sorbello said they also took a blower and a chainsaw as well as the keys to the tractor machinery and truck.

This incident is another blow after the park after it was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most of their visitors usually from overseas.

This isn’t the first incident to occur at the park, and police are seeking public assistance regarding the matter.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Mundijong Police and quote Incident Report Number 141121143786495.

Alternatively reports can be made anonymously through the CrimeStoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.