New Zoo? for SE QLD

MARK said:
I saw the report on the channel 9 news tonight which stated the zoo would be 80 Hectares in size and cost $50 million, It sounded like they were still looking for the land
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I missed out on seeing the news report unfortunately, has anyone seen a link available, I looked on the 9 news site, but nothing.

I can tell you that Liz Bellward is 100% dedicated to conservation. She left Dreamworld about 5 months ago to start the 'Karma Cats Project'. I support her all the way, as she is a good friend of mine and hope the project goes well. One thing I found about her is that she tends to pick favourites in her cats. At Dreamworld she loved Rahni and would spend a lot more time with her than the rest of the cats. Thats the only real concern I have on Karma Cats.
 
Indah&Rahni said:
I missed out on seeing the news report unfortunately, has anyone seen a link available, I looked on the 9 news site, but nothing.

I can tell you that Liz Bellward is 100% dedicated to conservation. She left Dreamworld about 5 months ago to start the 'Karma Cats Project'. I support her all the way, as she is a good friend of mine and hope the project goes well. One thing I found about her is that she tends to pick favourites in her cats. At Dreamworld she loved Rahni and would spend a lot more time with her than the rest of the cats. Thats the only real concern I have on Karma Cats.
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All the best to Liz with this project, $50 Million is quite a lot of money though
 
I just can't understand how - skepticism about the reality of the plans aside - a zoo with half a dozen cat species, a few Aus natives and a petting zoo will cost $50m to build?!?
 
Steve Robinson said:
Not like ptig to be shy but it should be stated that Dreamworld has raised more cash for in-situ tiger conservation than all of the other Aussie zoos combined.
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go easy with that statement Steve, Australia Zoo is giving over $250,000 in financial support to in-situ tiger conservation programs this year alone! But I totally agree with you, DW should be highly commended for it's fantastic efforts. ;)

So often, the "scientifically based mainstream zoos" (to quote Ara) justify their conservation claim by breeding a few in captivity, let their marketing machines pump them, and do little, if nothing, for real conservation efforts.
 
conservation donations

Dreamworld has donated to the projects they support just under 200K for this year. If more of the "big" zoos could do more it would go along way to very important field conservation funding.
 
CGSwans said:
I just can't understand how - skepticism about the reality of the plans aside - a zoo with half a dozen cat species, a few Aus natives and a petting zoo will cost $50m to build?!?
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I see your point I guess "only time will tell here" ;)
 
Steve Robinson said:
I am also intrigued by the claim that they have three employees with a total of over 44 [or 45 depending on the page] years of big cat breeding and handling. As Liz can only claim "a couple of months" voluntary experience at Zion, Australia Zoo and the CLBC plus 3 years employment at Dreamworld it would be reasonable to ask who are the other two employees with the other 40+ years experience.
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Also, you can't volunteer with big cats at Australia Zoo, so there goes that theory also. :D
 
MARK said:
I see your point I guess "only time will tell here" ;)
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I thought this to. unless they are planning on having very large open range, moated enclosures. Just a note. I believe (It was a few years ago when I read it) that Dreamworlds Tiger facilities cost $3,000,000 to build, I'm not sure what this includes. It may include the visitor areas and the play areas but still. Tiger Island currently holdS 12 Tigers. I wonder how many enclosures they are planning on building for the big cats and what style of exhibits they will be.
 
their facebook is here: Karma Cats | Facebook
such posts as:
14 September
Finally received a copy of the Channel 9 News story a few weeks ago. Please visit our site (click on link below) for the youtube link.
Karma Cats
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8 October
Thank u everyone for your kind wishes and positive thoughts. All went really well in Phuket. Looks like we have secured our major funder!! They r prepared to fund the majority of karma cats! Just sorting out contracts and legalities and we r off and running!!! SO SO excited. Thank u.
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22 November
Been searching for land in the Ipswich area but am struggling to find what we are after, so yesterday I met with the Mayor of the Scenic Rim (next Shire down) to see if they would be interested in Karma Cats in their area as much larger blocks of land at much more reasonable prices..... he is very, very supportive and excited about the concept which is fantastic!
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14 December
Just returned from two days in Sydney with our funder. He was only in Australia for a couple of days. All the nitty gritties are now agreed, solicitors have been instructed and I am heading over to Hong Kong with the paperwork (once drawn up) to have him sign. Its all happening... hence the celebrations last night. A wonderful Christmas present. Thank you Graham.
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Karma Cats is a not for profit organisation raising funds to construct a big cat breeding sanctuary and African safari in South-East Queensland. The centre will be open to the public with all profits reinvested in the sanctuary and to support conservation initiatives to protect endangered species and their habitats in the wild.

Initially we plan to open with lions, tigers, snow leopards, cheetahs, servals, fishing cats, Australian wildlife and a petting zoo (farm animals). Each year we plan to introduce a new species to our collection.

Between our three key employees of Karma Cats, we hold 44 years of big cat breeding and handling experience. Including our Board, we hold over 85 years of business and management experience.

To date, Biosecurity Queensland have reviewed our Business Plan and Zoo manual and believe we satidfy key aspects, the mayor of Ipswich would like Karma Cats in his area and we have consulted with the Zoo and Aquarium Association. The next step is to secure a site and lodge formal applications with the relevant bodies.
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Maybe they could take all the cats from Mareeba, once they are established.

:p

Hix
 
I just came across this thread again whilst trawling for something else, and wondered where Karma Cats was at now with their project. Their facebook (linked to in post #51 above) shows they are still pushing on but apparently no nearer to their goal, although they are fund-raising for a clouded leopard breeding facility in Thailand.

This from March last year:
Our funder who's been generously assisting with wages etc over the last few months has hit a few problems in his own business.This has put a hold on support for Karma Cats while he sorts things.Given he was purchasing our land late February [2011],its been a major blow.He says he's still really keen but unsure when he'll have funds due to problems in his own business.I guess its back to square one again.So,so disappointing.
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I re-found this old(ish) thread and wondered where the story was at now. I had a look at their Facebook (linked a couple of posts above this one) and not a lot on it apart for photos of cats. The Facebook gives the impression they have given up on the zoo idea and are concentrating on using their fund-raising for the benefit of cats in the wild (poaching patrols in Sumatra, that sort of thing) which I think is a much much better use of funds.

However their website has a progression table which shows they are still intent on the zoo: Karma Cats - Progress Tracker (although I can't say if the table ever actually changes: it may sit there idle for all I know).
 
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I just came across this post. Does anyone know what happened with Karma Cats and why they never built a zoo? I couldn't find anything on google - their website no longer exists and there was nothing interesting on their facebook page; it hasn't been updated since August last year.
 
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