How to open a wildlife sanctuary for exotics in SA?

[Aussie_Tapir]

Not sure if this is the right thread, as I wasn't sure if there already was one regarding my query, so I do apologise in advance for that.

I was just wondering how would be the best way to go about starting a wildlife sanctuary for exotic animals in South Australia. I don't want to open a zoo, but would like to rather open a sanctuary of sorts for "surplus" zoo animals, or animals confiscated at customs that are in bad health, and require a more permanent home, rather than simply being euthanised.

What licenses and such would I require, and would this be legal, as, from my research, exotic mammals especially can only be kept in "eligible non-commercial settings, excluding household pets".

(I also wouldn't mind having a "household pet" tapir if that's legal somehow, as they're my favourite animal )

Thanks

 

[Zoofan15]

Not sure if this is the right thread, as I wasn't sure if there already was one regarding my query, so I do apologise in advance for that.

I was just wondering how would be the best way to go about starting a wildlife sanctuary for exotic animals in South Australia. I don't want to open a zoo, but would like to rather open a sanctuary of sorts for "surplus" zoo animals, or animals confiscated at customs that are in bad health, and require a more permanent home, rather than simply being euthanised.

What licenses and such would I require, and would this be legal, as, from my research, exotic mammals especially can only be kept in "eligible non-commercial settings, excluding household pets".

(I also wouldn't mind having a "household pet" tapir if that's legal somehow, as they're my favourite animal )

Thanks

We did have this thread concerning how to start a zoo in Victoria, which may have some relevant information:

How to start your own zoo?
https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/how-to-start-your-own-zoo.214923/
You asked specifically about exotics, but this page has some great resources re. permits needed for holding native species in South Australia in case that was of interest also:

Department for Environment and Water - Wildlife permits

 

[MRJ]

Not sure if this is the right thread, as I wasn't sure if there already was one regarding my query, so I do apologise in advance for that.

I was just wondering how would be the best way to go about starting a wildlife sanctuary for exotic animals in South Australia. I don't want to open a zoo, but would like to rather open a sanctuary of sorts for "surplus" zoo animals, or animals confiscated at customs that are in bad health, and require a more permanent home, rather than simply being euthanised.

What licenses and such would I require, and would this be legal, as, from my research, exotic mammals especially can only be kept in "eligible non-commercial settings, excluding household pets".

(I also wouldn't mind having a "household pet" tapir if that's legal somehow, as they're my favourite animal )

Thanks

Your problem is that "surplus" zoo animals, or animals confiscated at customs do not exist, or at least not in a way that would supply your "sanctuary". All members of ZAA (and that is the vast majority of zoos that would exhibit exotics) have a commitment not to breed unwanted surpluses and if they do to take responsibility for them. Any animal confiscated by customs would either be placed in a ZAA zoo or destroyed.

The sanctuary industry in the USA relies on the large number of exotics that are held either privately or in roadside zoos. That situation does not occur in Australia.