Australia Zoo Australia Zoo in Trouble

It was stated in the papers here that the extra land was a land swap for other land that the Irwins alreadly had near Aust zoo, so I dont think the Qld goverment has given them the land
 
Even the much respected Howletts and Port Lympne collections in the Uk have had to bow to the 'Great God' of commercialism in recent years.

Howletts hasn't changed much (its only about 50 acres) but at Port Lympne they now have a large drivethrough area (the African Experience) with African savanah animals as an addition to the main park(you pay extra) and I believe there's also a hotel for overnights too.If you look on the website you can see they have expensive deals for weddings, breakfasts, shadow a keeper etc- all in order to make extra money.

Some years ago there was a rumour Port Lympne might have to close or be sold, and it seems this increased commercialism has been the only way to keep it viable. Maybe for Australia Zoo too commercialism is their main option for the future, though its not one I like to see happening anywhere.
 
I don't think its shocking news. Several years ago, there was already talk of a full-on Crocodile Hunter theme park with rides and all. Australia Zoo succeeded on Steve's fame; it can't sustain growth without pullin out all the Disney-style tactics. Terri's a businesswoman ultimately, and her future decisions will likely be in favour of profit rather than conservation.

I think Disney's Animal Kingdom kinda messed up the playing field for zoos and now many zoos have to follow their style in other to compete and survive. Hotels/Safari lodges are now "must-haves" for any large-scale zoo.
 
Your quite right Zooish, all zoos need money to expand and grow, as everyone would know new exhibits cost money and not all zoos are Goverment funded by the tax payer
 
I think Disney has a lot to answer for. The Dysneyfying of our wildlife drives much of the animal liberation propogander. They have given people false views of wildlife as cute cudly creatures when in reality many of them would either give you a quick kick or much worse if you aproached them. It is not such a problem in Australia as we dont have the large carnivores but it is often due to Disney that idiots do things like try to pat wild bears in the US. I supose though that this is not suprising for the Erwins as they have been Disneyfying animals for years.
 
Monty said:
I think Disney has a lot to answer for. The Dysneyfying of our wildlife drives much of the animal liberation propogander. They have given people false views of wildlife as cute cudly creatures when in reality many of them would either give you a quick kick or much worse if you aproached them.
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What a crock! If you are talking about Disney cartoons, maybe, but I'm sure the intent was to refer to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Granted they have a massive budget, but it is one of the best collections of wild animals I have seen anywhere, and I've seen a few. I don't think an injection of funds on the scale of Disney's Animal Kingdom will do anything to drive animal libbers - far from it!

Have you ever been to DAK, Monty? Seen pictures of their exhibits?
 
ZooPro is right, A zoo on a massive budget can have a wondeful collection, I am sure if Australia zoo intend to spend $100 million as stated on a African Safari exhibit they will have something to show for it, lets wait and see.
 
Australia zoo upgrade

Not sure that a large investment of 100 million would ever yield a return. It would be impossible with the limited availability of species and specimens to make anything near the scale of a Disney project. The location in Beerwah is not the best either. Looks more like a way to change the recent bad press.
 
That statement was made some time before all this resent bad press as you can see on their website (news seation) so its not as resent as it may seem
 
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