Furry friends for film star

IF the Ballarat Wildlife Park needed a new ambassador, it has found one in Bailee MadisonThe nine-year-old from the United States is the co-star, along with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, of the upcoming film 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark', which is being shot in Melbourne. Although she will turn 10 in October, Bailee has already been in eight movies, including 'Bridge to Terabithia', and has several television credits as well.She has three weeks of filming left to do before heading back to the US.Yesterday she paid her second visit in a month to the park, where owner Greg Parker gave her a guided tour with plenty of highlights."The Tasmanian Devils. There's some babies there right now. And Snickers (the kangaroo joey) is my favourite. I love Snickers, he's very cuddly," Bailee said.She was less impressed, however, with the park's emus. "I got chased by one at another place. They scared me, I screamed."Bailee has been in Melbourne for the past three months. A rare break in the young actor's schedule allow her and family members to make the trip to Ballarat."If this was next door to me, I'd be here every single day," she said. She said Holmes had wanted to come with her, but time constraints made it impossible."She was talking about it last night, she would love to, but there's so little time."