I had the privilege of visiting Australia Zoo in what I and many others would agree was it’s golden age. In December 2005, nine months before the tragic death of Steve Irwin, the zoo was showing so much promise and direction. I’m especially sad the gorilla and orangutan island (which was in it’s early stages of construction on my visit) never came to pass.
@Escher Nicholls There was a billboard up at the time (Dec 2005) that said “Gorilla and Orangutan Island - Coming 2006.” A news article dated 2007 mentioned them digging out a most for an island to house gorillas; then it all went quiet for a number of years. Then in 2014, the island opened as Bindi’s Island - a horrific melting pot of animals from various continents. Gorillas and Orangutans may be from different continents, but at least they share the ‘Great Ape’ theme.
