Here is an email that I have sent to Zoos Victoria dn the State Govt. I agree with Patrick that not only will it ruin Werribee zoo but the whole precinct. The idea just does not fit into the House/Zoo atmosphere.
"Though I live in Queensland I visit the Victoria zoos on a regular basis, every time I am in Melbourne. I love zoos and have always supported their efforts in Conservation and Education, including financially. Werribee, in my opinion, is one of the best in the country. Its position on the river provide a beautiful backdrop to its African plains. It has innovative and exciting new exhibits such as the Hippo River and when I read a few days ago that it would be expanding and housing many new animals I was excited. Perhaps the baboons would be moved out of their horrible cage at Melbourne and provided with a great new naturalistic exhibit at Werribee. I was looking forward to see what was going to happen.
So you can imagine my horror when I read this morning that Werribee was going to be turned into a Disney style theme Park! What on earth has roller coasters and water rides got to with conservation? Do the zoos really think that the only way to grow visitors is by providing cheap thrills. Visitors will visit not for the animals but for the rides, the animals will become a sideshow.
I am incredibly disappointed that Zoos Victoria and the Victorian Government are even considering this idea. If this goes ahead then Zoos Victoria and Werribee will lose all credibility and they really will be all about commercialism as their detractors claim. It makes me rethink my position on the importation of the elephants for instance, perhaps the RSPCA were correct in their claim that the elephants were only brought in for commercial reasons. Werribee could be a world class Open Range Zoo, but if this is the direction that is thought best then Zoos Victoria have lost their way.
I hope that this plan never eventuates because if it does I will never visit Werribee again and cancel my financial support for the zoos. I shall also support any organisation that campaigns to close the zoos.
Yours Sincerely
Jason Allen "