Parndana Wildlife Park Parndana Wildlife Park, March 2010

Considering it's on Kangaroo Island I imagine there could be some extra biosecurity regulations holding back the collection as well.
 
Thanks for the replies everybody. A number of the comments made did come to mind - regarding actual viability of visitor numbers, the fact it is on a small island, possible biosecurity concerns and the obvious need to improve the current exhibitry.

I was also surprised at how many animal parks and encounters one can have on the island. A BoP centre, rare-breeds farm, sanctuary for invalids and orphans (Pete's Place), aquarium linked to wild penguin encounter, wild sealions encounter and an enclosed area sanctuary (feral-proof fence) which offers night walks (as well as day tours). That is a staggeringly large number for an island that takes less then 2 hours(?) to traverse by car. And Parndana looked like the least professional park/website of all. In my mind Parndana would have to offer something very different to be a going concern, which was why I had suggested exotics.

It did cross my mind also that I would be condemning my daughter to a life of animal husbandry before she really understands that it is more then just close animal contact!

What other wildlife parks are a going concern?
 
crocodile_dan said:
Tetrapod: hopefully someone with a better understanding can clarify as I am interested in any further information as well, but from my experience at Dundee's I don't believe exotics (except birds) will be an option unless the new owner has ties or a strong history with exotics. All I know is Dundee's tried several times (for alligators) and we were rejected.
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I do know that when Australian parks deviate from keeping just natives, particularly into large dangerous species like carnivores and hoofstock, that they do need to show suitable prior experience. Which is why they will often emply new staff with that experience. How much is enough??? I don't know, but the concept does make sense. Personally it wouldn't be a problem, but is one or two people with the experience enough?

Surprised your employer would have difficulties with being allowed to obtain alligators as I would have thought that salties were potentially more troublesome...
 
tetrapod said:
Thanks for the replies everybody. A number of the comments made did come to mind - regarding actual viability of visitor numbers, the fact it is on a small island, possible biosecurity concerns and the obvious need to improve the current exhibitry.

I was also surprised at how many animal parks and encounters one can have on the island. A BoP centre, rare-breeds farm, sanctuary for invalids and orphans (Pete's Place), aquarium linked to wild penguin encounter, wild sealions encounter and an enclosed area sanctuary (feral-proof fence) which offers night walks (as well as day tours). That is a staggeringly large number for an island that takes less then 2 hours(?) to traverse by car. And Parndana looked like the least professional park/website of all.
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I think that's a fair summation of where this park is at.

In my mind Parndana would have to offer something very different to be a going concern, which was why I had suggested exotics.
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Sure. But why do it at KI, where it will forever be a marginal sort of business, when you could do something of a similar size in any one of two dozen medium-sized towns that aren't currently served by a zoo? Very few zoos, as far as I can tell, gain the majority of their visitors from tourists from outside the area. You need a sustaining local population, and KI doesn't have that.

What other wildlife parks are a going concern?
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I'm not going to name names. It would be rude to announce that I might be interested in buying somebody's zoo, but want them to wait 15-20 years to sell it first. "And oh, by the way, I actually don't have any money at the moment."

Think instead of qualifying characteristics. Several years of demonstrated viability is paramount. You might be the best business person in the world, but until you try there is no reason to assume that you can make something work that others failed to do. You can't just ask to see the books at a private business (unless you have actually opened negotiations) but there are other ways of making a judgment of sorts about it. Has the park grown in recent years, or has it stagnated? If it hasn't grown, has it at least been stable for a very long time and is it maintaining to a good standard what it already has?

A second is further growth potential. There are some perfectly viable zoos in Australia that might not be what you want them to be, and don't have the capacity to become what you want either (either for lack of space or lack of market size). That's just a matter of preference and whether you are happy to simply maintain what somebody else has built. I imagine most on here are wannabe zoo auteurs who want to shape the place in their own image.

A third factor is livability. It's all very well to spot a fantastic business at a price you like, but if it's in Kangaroo Island and you can't cope with the cold or relative isolation, you owe it to the animals and staff to pass it up. If you can't commit to sticking with something for at least 10 years, in my mind, then you have no business in buying a zoo business. Preferably 20 years. Don't underestimate the importance of the surrounding community and its attitude to the park, its local culture and how you will settle into that culture as (in all likelihood) an outsider who will become a prominent local citizen for good or ill. How well do you think you'd be received on KI if you went in with a plan for monkeys, small carnivores and exotic reptiles, and tried to bulldoze past any biosecurity regulations that are designed to protect the existing eco-tourism businesses, for example?

That's my philosophy to such things if (and it's a massive if) I'm ever in a position to be able to invest. Personally, I suspect I'd only want to do it if I could simultaneously be doing other things as well, or I would get bored. A park like Parndana doesn't offer the option of being, if you like, a part-time zoo director. It's all hands on deck at that sort of facility. Of course, there are more fundamental and obvious things like the asking price and so on, but that shouldn't need explaining.
 
tetrapod said:
I do know that when Australian parks deviate from keeping just natives, particularly into large dangerous species like carnivores and hoofstock, that they do need to show suitable prior experience. Which is why they will often emply new staff with that experience. How much is enough??? I don't know, but the concept does make sense. Personally it wouldn't be a problem, but is one or two people with the experience enough?

Surprised your employer would have difficulties with being allowed to obtain alligators as I would have thought that salties were potentially more troublesome...
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I didn't want to go into the details too much to avoid harping on the negatives but, Dundee's wanted gators definitely and possibly other small reptiles such as exotic boas and pythons. In the application after the inspection and paperwork the reasons we were rejected were falsified, the big three I remember where no heating, young staff (true but they would not have had much work with them as they didn't with the crocs) and insecure enclosures. Despite having endorsements and no complaints about our 11 foot saltie or others. What my manager told me was that Parks and Wildlife didn't want to issue any permit for exotics since Gorge and Bredl's as they held exotics when new regulations were enforced. The only time we had a fleeting chance at exotics was when the owner of bali and peel zoo (forget his name) went into negotiations twice to take over the park, in that instance his permit would have effectively transferred over to Dundee's, the exotics he wanted to bring in were smaller primates.

Please someone correct any above information as this all came direct from my manager so this is just what I have been told.
 
crocodile_dan said:
I didn't want to go into the details too much to avoid harping on the negatives but, Dundee's wanted gators definitely and possibly other small reptiles such as exotic boas and pythons. In the application after the inspection and paperwork the reasons we were rejected were falsified, the big three I remember where no heating, young staff (true but they would not have had much work with them as they didn't with the crocs) and insecure enclosures. Despite having endorsements and no complaints about our 11 foot saltie or others. What my manager told me was that Parks and Wildlife didn't want to issue any permit for exotics since Gorge and Bredl's as they held exotics when new regulations were enforced. The only time we had a fleeting chance at exotics was when the owner of bali and peel zoo (forget his name) went into negotiations twice to take over the park, in that instance his permit would have effectively transferred over to Dundee's, the exotics he wanted to bring in were smaller primates.

Please someone correct any above information as this all came direct from my manager so this is just what I have been told.
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I don't think so. each state has different guidelines etc and each property would have its own licence. I was think of buying an animal based business in NSW and was told the license was not transferable and i would probably have to apply for new licenses myself. even though my application would include the original enclosure diagrams etc.

for the record i am not considering buying an animal based business at the moment. :)
 
Thanks Jarkari, my understanding was that there would be separate licenses for each institute but as the owner currently held exotics under license then we would have been issued an exotics permit for Dundee's. That was what I meant as "transferred over" I wasn't so clear about that sorry, so we would be applying for a new permit but the way they were talking about it they made it seem as simple as ordering a coffee, which is why I have always been a bit unsure about how true it was.

With this clarified does your view change? I am more willing to believe it wouldn't have been so easy for us to have exotics, which is what I take from your comment. cheers :)
 
Do we have any details?

:p

Hix
 
My mates just brought it, ex keepers of ballarat wildlife park, im joining them (also ex keeper) for one hell of a ride, they take over on the 28th of march.
 
Well, we'd appreciate you keeping us up-to-date on changes and improvements to the park!

:p

Hix
 
New Owners.

Hey there everyone.

Firstly we would like to thank everyone for their imput on the Parndana Wildlife Park, especially you Hix.

We would like to introduce ourselves to everyone as we are going to be the new owners of the Parndana Wildlife Park as of the end of March. For starters, My name is Dana and I have been a head keeper for over three years now working with Australian Natives. My partner, Sam, has also been an animal keeper specialising in reptiles. Sam has also been running his own small earthmoving business for quite a few years which will come in very handy for building and renovating enclosures! We both have hands-on experience with a number of Australian Natives as well as experience raising different species such as a Quoll, Kangaroo and Tammar Wallaby.

We understand that there are quite a few concerns about the Parndana Wildlife Park and its animals/enclosures. Firstly we thought we'd address what has been raised in this forum.

To start with, the laminated maps we have heard about a few times from numerous people. We intend to design new maps (which will be changing quite regularly as we upgrade) and have them printed and available for each visitor.

All bird aviaries mentioned as being small, will be looked at, upgraded and extended to be of high quality be above the individual species requirements and meet national standards. All upgrades will be made to encourage natural behaviours of all the birds.

Rodent control will be a big focus of ours once taking over the Parndana Wildlife Park. We will be taking all measures possible to control the current rodent problem and prevent further infestations.

All new enclosures will be planted up with native trees, shrubs and grasses to allow for natural behaviours and foraging.

We too noticed that the Sea Eagles, as well as other species, didn't have ponds to allow for swimming and natural behaviours. With the upgrading and extension of each enclosure, all birds, macropods, reptiles and mammals will be getting appropriate ponds to suit their needs.

Although we do not take over until the end of March, we have quite extensive knowledge of the animal diets and their nutritional requirements. We have been researching animal diets and upon taking over the Parndana Wildlife Park we will be reviewing all current diets and providing each animal with a correct diet to provide them with the balanced, nutritional diet they need.

As the Parndana Wildlife Park is currently run on cash only, we will be getting an eftpos machine and upgrading the front entrance. We also intend to add a small cafe with a few cakes, slices, coffee etc. The cafe of course will be an upgrade happening after the enclosures are upgraded.

We would like to say a big thank you to the current owners who have put a lot of time and effort into building the Parndana Wildlife Park over the past 20 years. They are now wishing to retire and we are lucky enough to be getting the chance to take over and do our best to bring the park up to its full potential.

Thank you all again for all your comments, please feel free to ask any questions you want answered and we will be keeping you all up to date with the progress of the park. We are in the stages of making a facebook page under 'Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park' which will be up and running in the coming months. We will also be making a new website in the near future as well.



Yours Sincerely,


Dana and Sam
 
This sounds great! I look forward to visiting again next time I'm on KI.

Good Luck!

:p

Hix
 
As indicated earlier in this thread, I think you've got a hell of a job ahead of you, but your initial plans sound excellent. Best of luck!
 
article on the new ownership:
No Cookies | Herald Sun
5 July 2013


REAL-LIFE events have inspired adventurous couple Dana Jansen and Sam Mitchell to buy their own zoo.

But rather than the hit Matt Damon movie, We Bought a Zoo, it was the wildlife conservation work of Steve Irwin which led them to buy the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park.

Dana, 22, and Sam, 23, this week officially took over at the park, previously owned by Russell and Shirley Ross for 22 years.

Mr Mitchell said they would follow in the footsteps of childhood hero Steve Irwin and hoped they could emulate his success on a smaller scale.

"I followed Steve Irwin throughout my childhood and I've got all his books and films," he said. "We want to educate people about wildlife conservation and promote its importance for the next generation through hands-on experience."

Their new business, about 3km west of Parndana in the centre of the island, is in one of the world's great island eco-tourism destinations.

The Rosses built up an enviable collection of Australian wildlife on 20ha of land.

It includes more than 100 species and 1500 animals, mostly Australian natives such as kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, crocodiles, goannas and a wide range of bird species. The couple bought the zoo - which includes a house, souvenir shop and buildings - for less than $600,000.

They watched We Bought a Zoo earlier this year and while they share the aim of the movie's characters to bring in fresh ideas, they do have the advantage of four years of previous experience at a Victorian wildlife park.

In the movie, Damon's character, Benjamin Mee, and his two children move to the zoo and find themselves - and Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) - through shared experiences. "We wanted to buy a business and we looked into building our own wildlife park, but we could see so much more potential here in buying an established operation," Mr Mitchell said.

"We fell in love with the whole island when we had a good look around and our new life will give us the country life we wanted and a chance to continue studying wildlife."

They have already employed two more people, boosting the park's staff to eight employees, and plan to build the wildlife park into a more significant tourist attraction for the island. "It's a dream job and a dream come true," Ms Jansen said.

Their plans include introducing more animal species, hosting more school groups, a greater focus on education and assisting endangered special breeding programs such as Tasmanian devils.

Mr Mitchell said he would continue working for part of the year in a family-operated gold mine near Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia.
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