Article on the future plans for Monarto and Adelaide Zoo
Gorillas for Adelaide and African Elephants for Monarto! I didn't see that one coming.
Monarto Zoo will soon have biggest safari outside Africa
Wild African-style adventures, birds of prey flying overhead and tourists sleeping to the chilling laugh of hyenas – South Australia is set to have it all.
Two of the state’s best tourist attractions, Adelaide and Monarto Zoos, are set for big changes on the back of rising visitor numbers which hit more than half a million in 2016-17.
At the helm of the plan is Zoos SA chief executive officer Elaine Bensted, who officially opened Monarto’s latest heart-stopper, Lions 360, in November 2017.
The hair-raising attraction has already put hundreds of visitors within clawing range of a pride of African lions.
“The Lions 360 is definitely a first in Australia, and we think the first in the world,” Ms Bensted said.
“It reverses the zoo concept by putting people inside the cage.
“Our lions have 10 hectares and they can choose where they want to be, but they generally choose to be all around the people in the dome.”
The Lions 360 is a big-ticket project included in Zoos SA’s 20-year master plan, a document outlining immersive experiences, displays and improvements expected to set Adelaide and Monarto Zoos up for further success.
Changes at Adelaide Zoo over the next two decades include a gorilla exhibit and nature-based adventure playground.
But it’s what’s in store for Monarto Zoo that has hearts racing.
Birds of prey flight presentations, safari-style accommodation, Madagascar walk-through experiences and a family of African elephants are all on the cards.
“The really exciting one that’s just around the corner is Wild Africa and that’s the development of a safari experience (that will be) by far the largest drive through experience outside of Africa,” Ms Bensted said.
“You’ll be able to go on a sunset safari drive and come back and stay in accommodation from family cabins to a safari resort and ‘glamping’ in tents.”
With SA’s tourism industry worth $6.3 billion and attracting 13.6 million day trips to and around the state in a year, she said tourism was a big employer.
Gorillas for Adelaide and African Elephants for Monarto! I didn't see that one coming.
Monarto Zoo will soon have biggest safari outside Africa
Wild African-style adventures, birds of prey flying overhead and tourists sleeping to the chilling laugh of hyenas – South Australia is set to have it all.
Two of the state’s best tourist attractions, Adelaide and Monarto Zoos, are set for big changes on the back of rising visitor numbers which hit more than half a million in 2016-17.
At the helm of the plan is Zoos SA chief executive officer Elaine Bensted, who officially opened Monarto’s latest heart-stopper, Lions 360, in November 2017.
The hair-raising attraction has already put hundreds of visitors within clawing range of a pride of African lions.
“The Lions 360 is definitely a first in Australia, and we think the first in the world,” Ms Bensted said.
“It reverses the zoo concept by putting people inside the cage.
“Our lions have 10 hectares and they can choose where they want to be, but they generally choose to be all around the people in the dome.”
The Lions 360 is a big-ticket project included in Zoos SA’s 20-year master plan, a document outlining immersive experiences, displays and improvements expected to set Adelaide and Monarto Zoos up for further success.
Changes at Adelaide Zoo over the next two decades include a gorilla exhibit and nature-based adventure playground.
But it’s what’s in store for Monarto Zoo that has hearts racing.
Birds of prey flight presentations, safari-style accommodation, Madagascar walk-through experiences and a family of African elephants are all on the cards.
“The really exciting one that’s just around the corner is Wild Africa and that’s the development of a safari experience (that will be) by far the largest drive through experience outside of Africa,” Ms Bensted said.
“You’ll be able to go on a sunset safari drive and come back and stay in accommodation from family cabins to a safari resort and ‘glamping’ in tents.”
With SA’s tourism industry worth $6.3 billion and attracting 13.6 million day trips to and around the state in a year, she said tourism was a big employer.
