Two vegan science teachers are on a mission to give animals on death row a forever home.

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High school teachers Dan and Marianne Robson have turned their 20-hectare bush property south of Townsville into a sanctuary for neglected, abused or unwanted animals.

Amongst their residents are two former petting zoo camels, an injured pony club horse, several chickens that turned out to be roosters and three baby water buffalo.

The water buffalo came from a dairy on the Atherton Tablelands that produces gourmet cheese for the lactose-intolerant.

Ms Robson said male calves were considered by-product of the dairy industry and were generally destined to become veal or shot after a few days of life.

"Being boys obviously they don't make milk so they are not any good for the farm," Ms Robson said.

"We are focussing as well on the less-thought-of animals too," Mr Robson said.

"Like people don't usually think of camels as being exploited or water buffalo as being exploited," he said.

Dan Robson with Latte the camel, one of two from a local petting zoo. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

From zoo to classroom

The pair work as science teachers at a Townsville high school but both have experience in animal husbandry having worked in zoos and on farms.

Mr Robson said their big challenges running the sanctuary were feed costs and time management.

"Both being teachers there is a significant amount of work that goes into that career outside of the classroom time," he said.

"We don't want to get in a place where we are just hoarding animals and then their husbandry lacks because we don't have the means to look after them."

Mr Robson said their animals kickstart conversations in biology classes and students are quite curious about their teachers' quirky lifestyle.

"They are fascinated by the fact that a 6' 2" 90kg male doesn't eat any animal products, they have a misconception that I should be a sick and dying twig," he said.

"They just get used to both of us being those two weird teachers that have camels as pets."

The pair believe their animals have a future as mental health ambassadors. ( ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach )

Rescue animals' new life as mental health ambassadors

Dan and Marianne are hoping to use the sanctuary as an educational tool and think the enterprise has potential as a mental health retreat.

"We have had a few friends and colleagues who have come here who have battled with their own personal issues," Mr Robson said.

"And just to see them unwind and relax in this sort of setting with these sort of animals, animals that otherwise would most likely be facing death getting a second chance."

"It seems to be quite uplifting for people."

A tonne of buffalo cuddles

The water buffalo calves are very playful and enjoy head butt sparring with Dan Robson or sleeping in the laps of their adoptive parents.

Once full grown, the buffalo will weigh more than a tonne so the sparring will have to end.

"It might not be as convenient for them to lie in your lap anymore," Ms Robson said.

"By all means we will snuggle them, but they won't be a lap-buffalo anymore."

"You have to give the animal the respect it deserves regardless of how you feel about it, because at the end of the day it is unpredictable."