Australia Zoo in Vegas?

Chlidonias

Chlidonias

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um.....anyone want to comment? :D

Terri Irwin pushes ahead with plans for Australia Zoo in LA | Herald Sun
AUSTRALIA Zoo, the wildlife park owned by the family of late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, is pushing ahead with a AU$300 million (US$250 million) plan to replicate the Australian tourist attraction in the gambling mecca of Las Vegas.
Steve Irwin's widow, Terri Irwin, said she hoped to buy the land this year and was on the lookout for investors, The (Brisbane) Sunday Mail reported.

"It's hard to predict how the economy is going to recover but we'd hope by next year we'd have the investors so we can look towards a date for breaking ground," she said.

"But it's very much on the go-ahead and it'll be such a brilliant icon for Australia. It's going to be so much about Steve and his dreams, and his philosophy and his message."

Irwin said the zoo would be "spectacularly Vegas" while respectful of the animals.

"There'll be nothing jumping through a hoop of fire but there'll be incredible effects instead," she said.

"Like, instead of the Crocoseum (Australia Zoo's crocodile display), you'll be in, like a rainforest, with waterfalls and they can make the water levels change height so the croc rises out of the water.

"It'll be an incredible experience without compromising the animals' needs."

Steve Irwin raised the idea of building an Australia Zoo in Las Vegas in 2004.

Terri Irwin said the Vegas project would employ almost 900 people and many of them would be Australians working in tandem with projects being planned for the Steve Irwin wildlife reserve on Cape York, Australia's northeastern tip.

"Once we have the reserve protected then we'll maintain our presence in the Cape with opportunities in Las Vegas," she said.

The reserve is the subject of a bitter battle between the zoo and Cape Alumina Pty Ltd, which wants to strip mine bauxite from a section of the park called Pisolite Hills.

Read more about Terry Irwin's plans to expand Australia Zoo into Las Vegas at The Courier Mail http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...zoo-in-las-vegas/story-e6freoof-1225875868852
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But all of the people that visit her zoo here come from America and the one that's
already built isn't even finished. If she can find $300 million to start a zoo from scratch, couldn't she find a couple of million for the real Australia Zoo to finish their plans. Sounds like bad news to me.
 
yesterday she was on one of the morning shows with the kids and was asked about this. From her reply I get the impression that it will basically be just the crocoseum with the shows.
 
Yes I would like to comment on this, it was about a year ago there was a statement regarding the Las Vegas zoo idea had been put on HOLD because Australia zoo wanted to FOCUS on building up Australia zoo at home into a world class zoo but NOW it appears to have turned around again, I really have some trouble trying to understand where they are really going, I for one would have liked to have seen them FINISH the job at home with all the animals (Gorillas and Orangs ect ect) and exhibits they stated they wanted here before setting up other zoos overseas, I think the Lemur Island exhibit has been on hold for a few years now so !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
 
Las Vegas? O>O I could see what her motives might be in trying to bring australia wildlife to the rest of the world but I have to agree, 300 million would be much better spend in making Australia zoo a world class zoo.
 
dragon(ele)nerd said:
Las Vegas? O>O I could see what her motives might be in trying to bring australia wildlife to the rest of the world but I have to agree, 300 million would be much better spend in making Australia zoo a world class zoo.
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But investors might be willing to spend 300 million for a new zoo in Las Vegas, but not for upgrading Australia Zoo...

Not that i don't think that it feels like Australia Zoo has hit rock bottom and started to dig, like most people on here seem to do...
 
"Like, instead of the Crocoseum (Australia Zoo's crocodile display), you'll be in, like a rainforest, with waterfalls and they can make the water levels change height so the croc rises out of the water.
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Mrs Irwin said the Vegas project would employ almost 900 people and many of them would be Australians working in tandem with projects being planned for the 135,000ha Steve Irwin wildlife reserve on Cape York
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Frankly, she should bring water rather than people. We have people needing work, but Las Vegas lacks water. This is, after all, desert.
 
It sounds a little weird for me too.

In the view of a non-australian I think, Australia Zoo in Las Vegas COULD be a good idea, BUT...

...not only as a Crocoseum (there are plenty Alligator Shows in the US, specially in Florida, so it's nothing really new). Beside the Salties there should be also Tasmanian Devils, Wombats, Death adders, Taipans as well as Koalas, Wallabies and Kangaroos. Unfortunately, not all of them are easy to get from American Zoos. So they must be imported (or exported in the view of the Australians). And this is - thanks to the authorities of both countries - very difficult.

... I also have my doubts, that Terri will find the sponsors for their plans. The finance crisis hit also (not to say foremost) the USA.

And - if they really gonna built that thing - what about the entrance fee? On one hand, all investions should become refinanced. On the other hand, the entrance fee could'nt be to high, because if so, people who want to see australian animlas safe their money by visiting the (cheaper in ticket price) zoos of LA and San Diego. Okay, they are not right around the corner. But as far as I know the americans, a 5-hours-away is nothing for them. Because Steve is already a few years dead, I think that his name and the brand "Australia Zoo" have not the draw of attention they had before.
 
Well, Las Vegas is a strange place and I have no doubt that the financing can be found and the audience will come and pay a high price to do so. I don't even object to up to 900 Australians coming along to work there; I do object to planning an amusement that flies in the face of the water crisis that is Las Vegas.
 
@zooplantman

You may be right. But when you say Las Vegas is a strange place.....- it was and it still is in wasting water. I remember that every casino has its own large (or better huge) pool (and also most of the motels and houses have one), there are huge golf greens, many out-of-state-plants in the area that need much more water than native-ones, there are watergames outside of some casinos (Mirage, Treasure Island and, and, and) and I think there was also a water-funpark within the City.
No doubt, for environmental reasons it is better do forget another water-wasting Australia-Zoo-Doublicate. But I have my doubt that - if there is a good chance to earn money - environmental reasons in Las Vegas are stronger then economical - isn't it?
 
zoomaniac said:
@zooplantman

You may be right. But when you say Las Vegas is a strange place.....- it was and it still is in wasting water. I remember that every casino has its own large (or better huge) pool (and also most of the motels and houses have one), there are huge golf greens, many out-of-state-plants in the area that need much more water than native-ones, there are watergames outside of some casinos (Mirage, Treasure Island and, and, and) and I think there was also a water-funpark within the City.
No doubt, for environmental reasons it is better do forget another water-wasting Australia-Zoo-Doublicate. But I have my doubt that - if there is a good chance to earn money - environmental reasons in Las Vegas are stronger then economical - isn't it?
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I do agree absolutely.
Yet we are talking here of Australian Zoo doing this, not just another casino developer. If Steve Irwin's mission was conservation awareness (as he often said) then whatever show the zoo brings to Las Vegas ought not to be based on wasting as much water as possible!
If anything, it ought to bring to these tourists the wonders of desert life
 
I do agree as well:)

And now I wonder what the Australian members thinking about those pro and contras?
 
Hmmm...

What an ingenious way to get animals from the America's to Australia via a zoo transfer from AZ-LV! Especially Terri's beloved Cougars! Why didn't we all think of that before now?

Not that there's actually any room at the inn here at the Aussie AZ. LOL
 
Zooplantman said:
If Steve Irwin's mission was conservation awareness (as he often said) then whatever show the zoo brings to Las Vegas ought not to be based on wasting as much water as possible!
If anything, it ought to bring to these tourists the wonders of desert life
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I agree with this if there absolutely has to be a show to attract customers.

I just wish I had enough money to test my theory that people everywhere would appreciate having a peaceful, quiet place to go that is completely different than all other attractions. A place where they could go to relax and to observe many different species of wildlife without bells, whistles, loud music, cheering, or any other distracting sights and sounds.

Just imagine this scenario: a customer visits Las Vegas, he starts losing money, he starts getting a headache from all the flashing neon signs and the scent of strong perfumes and colognes ... then he takes a break and visits the zoo. All he sees are fascinating creatures. All he hears are the sounds of wings flapping. Or hooves trotting. Or noses snorting. All he smells are the scents of nature.

He relaxes. He comes to his senses. He decides to go home before losing any more money. And, then, when he gets home, he sends a donation to help support the Zoo. And sends a check to help support the conservation programs the Zoo is involved in.

And he still has more money left than he would have had if he hadn't visited the Zoo ...
 
Zoo Visitor said:
I agree with this if there absolutely has to be a show to attract customers.

I just wish I had enough money to test my theory that people everywhere would appreciate having a peaceful, quiet place to go that is completely different than all other attractions. A place where they could go to relax and to observe many different species of wildlife without bells, whistles, loud music, cheering, or any other distracting sights and sounds.

Just imagine this scenario: a customer visits Las Vegas, he starts losing money, he starts getting a headache from all the flashing neon signs and the scent of strong perfumes and colognes ... then he takes a break and visits the zoo. All he sees are fascinating creatures. All he hears are the sounds of wings flapping. Or hooves trotting. Or noses snorting. All he smells are the scents of nature.

He relaxes. He comes to his senses. He decides to go home before losing any more money. And, then, when he gets home, he sends a donation to help support the Zoo. And sends a check to help support the conservation programs the Zoo is involved in.

And he still has more money left than he would have had if he hadn't visited the Zoo ...
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....and then Santa Claus, Jesus and the Buddha all sat down to play a friendly game of checkers and declared world peace. Aren't fantasies nice?
 
Zoo Visitor said:
I agree with this if there absolutely has to be a show to attract customers.

I just wish I had enough money to test my theory that people everywhere would appreciate having a peaceful, quiet place to go that is completely different than all other attractions. A place where they could go to relax and to observe many different species of wildlife without bells, whistles, loud music, cheering, or any other distracting sights and sounds.

Just imagine this scenario: a customer visits Las Vegas, he starts losing money, he starts getting a headache from all the flashing neon signs and the scent of strong perfumes and colognes ... then he takes a break and visits the zoo. All he sees are fascinating creatures. All he hears are the sounds of wings flapping. Or hooves trotting. Or noses snorting. All he smells are the scents of nature.

He relaxes. He comes to his senses. He decides to go home before losing any more money. And, then, when he gets home, he sends a donation to help support the Zoo. And sends a check to help support the conservation programs the Zoo is involved in.

And he still has more money left than he would have had if he hadn't visited the Zoo ...
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You've completely lost me with this ridiculous fantasy. People go to las vegas to gamble and lose money, they won't suddenly think "Oh dear, I'm losing money...I'll go to the zoo". Why do you think casinos make so much - because when people lose money they gamble more to try and get it back. If you think that any of what you just posted would ever happen, you're living in a dream world.

PS. The "scents of nature" may bring your imaginary gambler back to his senses, but he certainly won't relax!
 
I'd like to say that I feel (as I have made clear elsewhere) that ZooVisitor's dream is untenable... but it is not insane. I wish that she were correct and there were a place for such a contemplative zoo. I wish more zoo-goers would slow down and let the animals and landscapes affect them. I would prefer it if zoo patrons met the animals on their own terms (the animals'). But that does not seem to be the world we live in. More's the pity. Still, it is the reason we appreciate exhibits where the animals and the landscapes can capture visitors' spirits and imaginations. It is why I criticize enclosures that are merely "suitable for meeting the animal's needs" without also striving to affect the visitors.
What any of this has to do with Las Vegas, though, I cannot guess :rolleyes:
 
@reduakari It's not Santa Claus, Jesus and the Buddha who have to sit down for a friendly game of checkers and declare world peace. It is people who truly believe world peace is achievable.

Furthermore, I think more true and lasting business successes have been the result of someone following his or her dreams than someone following a business plan.

@Zooplantman Thank you for saying my dream is not insane. I respected your opinion even before you wrote that.

I think it should be obvious by now that I am going to keep trying to convince everyone that I am right on this no matter how many people agree or disagree with me. I believe what I am saying is right. I believe people need the kind of place I am proposing. I believe it would be an educational place. I believe it would provide the kind of mentally and physically healthy atmosphere people need in modern times.

And I believe it would be successful (to the extent that it would not be in the red) as a business because it would be something unique and different, and it would be far less costly than most current zoo business plans.
 
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