Guy Exploring Abandoned Zoo Spots Strange Shape Floating In A Murky Water Tank

In a long-abandoned wildlife park in southern Australia, there’s an enormous tank filled with a murky green substance. This liquid is known as formaldehyde, and in large doses it’s said to be carcinogenic. But that’s not the reason why the tank has taken the internet by storm. Instead, it’s what’s lurking within the formaldehyde that’s proven so compelling.

Urban exploration

Once upon a time, the Wildlife Wonderland Giant Earthworm Museum in Melbourne, Australia, pulled in hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. In 2012, though, the animal park closed down forever. And while nearly all of the attraction’s inhabitants were ultimately recovered and rehoused, a single eerie relic was left behind. Then, six years later, a YouTuber discovered the last vestige of the park for himself. But what exactly did the adventurer unearth?

Wildlife wonderland

Well, Wildlife Wonderland – which is situated near to Westernport Bay – was originally opened in 1985 by a real estate professional named John Matthews. Along with its giant worm display, the park hosted areas for koalas and wombats, a café and a restaurant. And the exhibits were popular. In fact, around 350,000 visitors flocked to the tourist attraction annually.

Changing hands

After the park became a success, though, Matthews sought to sell it on. And that’s exactly what he did, handing Wildlife Wonderland over to a group of Chinese investors at the turn of the millennium. The facility would also go on to change owners once again before being shuttered altogether.

Closed for good

Ultimately, Australia’s Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) sounded the death knell for Wildlife Wonderland. According to the DSE, you see, the owners had evicted the park’s operator for attempting to run it without the necessary license. And as a consequence, Wildlife Wonderland was forced to close for good in February 2012.