Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve staff going without pay so lions don't go hungry

Ryan - my response would be considered politically incorrect by some of the more sensitive viewers of this thread. I'll pm you.
 
The zoo was also advertised on it's own website. Asking price differed considerably to the media reports.
 
OrangePerson said:
I know, I've been. I still think that even though it may be the only collection in the area with exotics it would have limited appeal to a large proportion of overseas travellers, of which there are a lot in that area. I realise that it may also cater to the domestic tourist market but, with all the area has to offer, even as a generally interested zoo visitor, it's the last place I'd go.
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that's a bit sad... i am visiting from New Zealand and although the native wildlife is not too bad (tropical zoo had a good collection of local crocs and snakes), the wildlife safari really left it for dead. It's not too often I get to stand 2metres from a pride of lions while that eat, and the tigers were a wonderful sight. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and the animals looked well looked after. I think the main issue is people who are visiting just do not know about this one. It's a little off the beaten path (although not too far, just a few minutes from Kuranda), but unlike all the other local wildlife attractions, it doesn't seem to be "in the loop". I think with a bit more marketing, and maybe talking to a few tour operators, this place could really do more business. It definitely has a lot of potential.
 
Good Luck to them.

:p

Hix
 
I believe this will be the final year this zoo remains open.. such a sad loss, If only Elaine had listened to people who knew what they were doing and talking about... instead she stopped responding to those who knew better then her. All I can say is I hope the collection is purchased by a mainstream zoo or dispersed per the ZAA policy.
 
I wonder what organisations she is referring to in this quote from the above article?

Ms Harrison said if investors did not want to buy the property as a zoo, she had made provisions for the animals to join an international conservation and breeding program.
 
I doubt that she has made provisions for the animals, she has done nothing since she took over in March, no advertising, marketing etc, so i don't know how she expected to make the business work, i agree with Rough that she didn't listen to people who genuinely wanted to help & had the zoo's best interests at heart & this could have been avoided if she had done better background before purchasing & not been so paranoid about getting help. I hope it isn't bought by someone like her again as the animals & keepers are the ones who suffer so some idiot can say they 'bought a zoo'. There should be tougher regulations on who & how a zoo is purchased & run! I hope for the animals sake that it gets resolved this time!
 
Cairns zoo owner has plan for animals
7 November 2012

All of the exotic animals, including a pride of 24 lions, at a private zoo in Cairns up for auction will be given new homes.

The owner of the Shambala Animal Kingdom says if a new owner wishes to maintain the site as a zoo provisions will be made for some animals to be kept.

But Elaine Harrison says she expects all the animals will be sent to new homes, most likely an international conservation and breeding program, and the business will be sold as a vacant lot at the December 15 auction.

Ms Harrison bought the business, formerly the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, earlier this year but cites family and health reasons behind her decision to sell.

She said it was unlikely the site, which has struggled to remain viable since opening as the Mareeba Wild Animal Park in 2004, would continue to operate as a zoo.

"Not unless someone like a Clive Palmer comes along," Ms Harrison told AAP on Wednesday.

"The animals' welfare is the main priority and they will be looked after completely."

RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said the financial burdens of private zoos often made them an unviable business.

He said the society wasn't expecting the current business to be salvaged.

"It's a very expensive thing to do to run zoos like that," Mr Beatty told AAP.

"If there was some way of setting up a bond before somebody took it over but you're talking about a huge amount of money. It's a very difficult subject.

"We would certainly not support anyone else, for example, who was trying to set up another zoo somewhere in Australia."
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I wonder where all of those 24 lions will go?
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Me to I dont think many zoo operators in Australia would be thinking, " I need another 24 lions to feed and house"

"We would certainly not support anyone else, for example, who was trying to set up another zoo somewhere in Australia."
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Not surprising for the RSPCA, but confirms their anti zoo stance.
 
There was an interesting comment at the bottom of Nisha's news article link from a tour operator some of which included regular interest about the park from tourists but an inability to get someone to answer phones (multiple times) to place bookings resulting in those visitors not going, also she states "It has been a fantastic year for us with Nth Qld tour operators citing the biggest returns in over 10 years."

It seems as though even without any improvements to the zoo (from what I am aware of) this year there is still income sitting ready to come into the zoo that is being lost for no logical reason apart from sheer slackness. I have always believed this zoo had potential and with the right knowledge and application it could hold it's own with the regions other parks, on top of that if an influx of funds were available it could blow some of the competitors out of the water to at least be one of the top zoological parks in the region.

I sincerely hope the zoo stays open simply for fear of what the alternative is for some of the collection...
 
Cairns zoo set to close - ABC Queensland - Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

A radio interview with Elaine shows some interesting insight into her knowledge.... She really has no idea.. and interestingly says most of the animals will be moved together as a group into a safari park (no mention of the name)... I am still so cranky at how much opportunity she has missed in regards to making this park a profit. Clearly she has come very late to the ZAA and ZAA is now using the "close down" policy and has placed a manager in charge of the park during the winding down operation at the direction of Karen Fifield, I hope the animals remain in Australia as it would be tragic to lose such an extensive and valuable collection
 
Rough said:
Cairns zoo set to close - ABC Queensland - Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

A radio interview with Elaine shows some interesting insight into her knowledge.... She really has no idea.. and interestingly says most of the animals will be moved together as a group into a safari park (no mention of the name)... I am still so cranky at how much opportunity she has missed in regards to making this park a profit. Clearly she has come very late to the ZAA and ZAA is now using the "close down" policy and has placed a manager in charge of the park during the winding down operation at the direction of Karen Fifield, I hope the animals remain in Australia as it would be tragic to lose such an extensive and valuable collection
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wow, yes, she very much comes across in general as someone who doesn't have a clue. The "safari park" reference was interesting. Could it perhaps be somewhere like Werribee or Dubbo?
 
Chlidonias said:
wow, yes, she very much comes across in general as someone who doesn't have a clue. The "safari park" reference was interesting. Could it perhaps be somewhere like Werribee or Dubbo?
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I cant really see an Auatralian Zoo having the resources to take on all these animals. Not one zoo would be able to accommodate all the lions at present. Many of the animals there came from ZAA members looking to make space. e.g. Siamang from a number of zoos, servals from Mogo, Brown Bears from a a couple. Tiger from Australia Zoo.

I was all set to send some animals up there just a couple of months ago until an ex staffer and old school friend said that they didnt.think the zoo would be around for long. This has now cost me $4,000 in extra animal care costs.
 
Even as vacant lots what would be the appeal of the land? LOTS of work would be required to remove existing infrastructures, large proportions of the land has been degraded by foot traffic and some of the animals, the two hippo exhibits encompass a large section of the total area reducing available land (if it was to become grazing property for hoofstock).

I don't actually see it getting much interest, there would be far better properties available with less work required for less money (than what I am guessing Elaine believes the land is worth). The property is not in an ideal location or close proximity to a population centre to appeal to developers IMO as well.

I can't help but go back 9ish months to when Elaine took over and shake my head at all the BS about her plans for the zoo and how Jenny found someone who would commit to the welfare of the animals and getting the zoo back on track...

Out of personal interest Jarkari what animals would you have sent up there? No need to answer if you don't want to :)
 
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