Bullens Facility and Tigers

[19985]

Hi All,

Lurking on here and researching the region’s tiger population I’ve seen a few references to a supposed Bullens facility - breeding generic tigers. As far as I’m aware, their wildlife parks closed decades ago, and Craig Bullen is now doing animal training in QLD. Are they still holding tigers?
There’s also references to a facility in NSW - which I cannot find any reference to online. Is this correct? And if so, how are they allowed to keep operating and breeding exotics? It seems outlandish to me that a non-public park (unlike Wild Cat Conservation Centre or Zambi Wildlife Foundation) can breed such high level exotics such as tigers and send them to other zoos in the region, if they are indeed keeping tigers privately.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Abbey]

Hi All,

Lurking on here and researching the region’s tiger population I’ve seen a few references to a supposed Bullens facility - breeding generic tigers. As far as I’m aware, their wildlife parks closed decades ago, and Craig Bullen is now doing animal training in QLD. Are they still holding tigers?
There’s also references to a facility in NSW - which I cannot find any reference to online. Is this correct? And if so, how are they allowed to keep operating and breeding exotics? It seems outlandish to me that a non-public park (unlike Wild Cat Conservation Centre or Zambi Wildlife Foundation) can breed such high level exotics such as tigers and send them to other zoos in the region, if they are indeed keeping tigers privately.

Thanks for any help.

To be perfectly honest, I don't know very much about this, but I'm also intrigued and would be keen to learn what others have to offer.

The most recent record I can find of breeding tigers were the cubs from 2019 which were displayed at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast - that being said, I'm not sure if it was actually confirmed that the parents are from a Bullens facility.

 

[Zoofan15]

To be perfectly honest, I don't know very much about this, but I'm also intrigued and would be keen to learn what others have to offer.

The most recent record I can find of breeding tigers were the cubs from 2019 which were displayed at Paradise Country on the Gold Coast - that being said, I'm not sure if it was actually confirmed that the parents are from a Bullens facility.

That ties in with the note I had that Bullens last bred tiger cubs in 2019 (I didn’t have the record where they went).

Throughout the 2000’s and 2010’s, various Australian zoos received tiger cubs from them including Dreamworld. I believe Australia Zoo’s first two tigers (Kahn and Manas) were Bullens, but will double check that.

Bullens also supplied lion cubs to various zoos. Kiara (a founder of Orana’s larger pride) came from Bullens in the late 1990’s.

 

[19985]

That ties in with the note I had that Bullens last bred tiger cubs in 2019 (I didn’t have the record where they went).

Throughout the 2000’s, various Australian zoos received tiger cubs from them including Dreamworld. I believe Australia Zoo’s first two tigers (Kahn and Manas) were Bullens, but will double check that.

Bullens also supplied lion cubs to various zoos. Kiara (a founder of Orana’s larger pride) came from Bullens in the late 1990’s.

Yes, it seems odd and they just seem to slip into zoos and collections every now and again. Dreamworld especially, with Dreamworld then sending to other zoos (a la Ravi and Baru).
These mystery tigers appearing in Australia must be bred somewhere and that’s my curiosity. Is it Craig’s property in QLD, or is it somewhere in NSW? We all know the history of the Western Sydney parks and now WCCC + Zambi, but there must be another private facility that is actually breeding generic tigers.

 

[MattyP]

Hi All,

Lurking on here and researching the region’s tiger population I’ve seen a few references to a supposed Bullens facility - breeding generic tigers. As far as I’m aware, their wildlife parks closed decades ago, and Craig Bullen is now doing animal training in QLD. Are they still holding tigers?
There’s also references to a facility in NSW - which I cannot find any reference to online. Is this correct? And if so, how are they allowed to keep operating and breeding exotics? It seems outlandish to me that a non-public park (unlike Wild Cat Conservation Centre or Zambi Wildlife Foundation) can breed such high level exotics such as tigers and send them to other zoos in the region, if they are indeed keeping tigers privately.

Thanks for any help.

I’m pretty sure Zambi is owned by the Bullens, so this would probably be the facility that you’re referring to.

 

[19985]

I’m pretty sure Zambi is owned by the Bullens, so this would probably be the facility that you’re referring to.

Their director and advisory boards don’t seem to have any obvious connections to the Bullens, and I would be more than surprised if a retirement home for old entertainment and zoo animals would be breeding animals to go back to those same places. That being said, I have seen on here that they were founded on and house a number of ex Bullens animals - and the location adds up. So that is possible.

Is anyone aware of any connections?