Yordi (The Wildlife Whisperer)

Yordi’s love for wildlife started when he was just two years old — a passion that’s led him to the Alice Springs Desert Park, where he now works hands-on with animals every day. While he’s not originally from the Northern Territory, he’s found his purpose in the heart of Alice Springs, doing what he loves most.

A day in the office

The Alice Springs Desert Park is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience the rich wildlife and ecosystems of Central Australia up close — and for Yordi, it’s the perfect place to live out his dream.

His uncle once told him, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and Yordi proud to say, he never has.

Yordi is deeply passionate about animal conservation — it’s not just a job, it’s something he genuinely lives for. At the Desert Park, he plays a hands-on role in protecting and caring for native species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. But for Yordi, it’s not just about the animals — it’s about the next generation too. He’s driven by a desire to educate young people, to spark their curiosity and help them understand why conservation matters. Whether he’s running the park’s bird show or chatting with curious kids at the park, Yordi hopes to inspire a new wave of wildlife guardians who will continue to protect and care for the land and animals long into the future.

You can’t save something you don’t love and you can’t love some something you don’t know about.

Backyard beauty

For Yordi, one of the best parts about living in Alice Springs is being surrounded by nature. Just 15 minutes out of town, he can unwind at Simpsons Gap — one of his favourite places to stop after work. Towering cliffs, peaceful waterholes, and the chance to spot black-footed rock wallabies at sunset make it a special place to reconnect with the land. It's that easy access to incredible wildlife and landscapes that makes Alice so unique, and for Yordi, it's a constant reminder of why he loves what he does.

Beyond Simpsons Gap, Alice Springs is surrounded by natural wonders. Standley Chasm, with its dramatic red rock walls glowing at midday, is just a short drive away. Ormiston Gorge offers crystal-clear waterholes perfect for a swim, while the vast, otherworldly landscapes of the Tjoritja (West MacDonnell National Park) stretch out in every direction. Whether it’s hiking, spotting wildlife, or just soaking in the sunsets, there’s no shortage of breathtaking places to explore.

A place where culture thrives

Yordi loves Alice Springs because, to him, it feels like culture is still alive and thriving. As an Aboriginal man from South Australia, he’s seen how, in many places, traditions have been lost— but in Alice Springs, it’s different.

Culture is still practiced out here so regularly which is something that is so important about the Territory. You walk down the street and there are children speaking in language, people selling paintings. It's amazing to see.

Yordi finds it really special to now live in one of the cultural hubs of Australian — a place where culture is still practiced and passed on.