Zoos

[Skids]

That sounds like a shitty place. They have kept a section of the old zoo at Perth Zoo, as an ugly reminder of the cages that animals were kept in there not so long ago. I remember it like that going as a kid on school excursion, not a pretty sight.

I believe there is a place for Zoo's if done 'correctly', here's Perth Zoo's website, you can click on the Interactive map for a good look and if you just google Perth Zoo, there's some great pics of how it's set out.

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/

Our award-winning research and breeding program for threatened Western Australian fauna has resulted in the wild release of more than 4,000 Zoo-bred animals.
For quarter-of-a-century, Perth Zoo has partnered with Parks and Wildlife to establish and run breeding programs to support the Species Recovery Plans for a range of native Western Australian fauna. We research the reproductive biology, growth and development of four key threatened species to assist with recovery and conservation efforts. Since 1992, more than 4,000 animals bred at Perth Zoo have been released into protected wild habitat to help secure a future for these species on the brink.

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/breeding

With your support, Perth Zoo works in partnership with local and global conservation partners to save wildlife.

Perth Zoo’s conservation funding program has invested more than $4 million into field-based conservation since 2007, delivering tangible, long term outcomes such as protecting and securing natural habitats, funding anti-poaching units, providing community education and employment, regional species breeding programs and releasing native animals into the wild.

Thanks to your support and donations, we are achieving a goal of safe, secure wildlife populations in their natural habitat.

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/saving-wildlife/conservation-action

[think positive]

Skids Melbourne zoo is not great, I remember reading about the elephant walk and thinking how fabulous but it’s actually a humans walk, the elephants are in a shocking tiny enclosure and they look miserable. The giraffes now share with the zebras and it’s quite a large area, with trees and room to move, it used to be awful. Werribee free range is so much better, a bus takes you through safari style and the animals have plenty of room, even the ones in general enclosures have large spaces, the hippo area is fabulous. It does concern me that Melbourne weather is probably not appropriate to a lot of the animals.

That place in Perth is as you say, A Zoo done right. They do exist, and while not ideal, if we rely on places like Arica then we would surely l soon have a much longer list of extinct animals.

LD I generally don’t comment on places I haven’t been, however I find it strange that you smash Zoos but places like this are ok,places that also have wild animals on show but also allow you to hand feed some of them, I don’t know any zoo that allows that

http://www.jamalawildlifelodge.com.au/



None of these places are ideal, but some are far far better than others and that place in Perth is the best I visited in Australia

[think positive]

Back off topic, skids pm me your details I’ll fix it then you can change your password! Cheers

[luvdids]

[think positive]

I must be mistaken, I thought you said you stayed there or some where similar earlier this year

[luvdids]

[Morrigu]

[think positive]

gees i honestly had no idea, thats terrible, thanks for pointing it out.
Australia zoo especially with the tigers, so i guess they dope them. cant believe they get away with it

[Morrigu]

^ Yes it is - and these "encounters" cost extra- so what message does that send - if you are prepared to pay you can cuddle or pat an animal for a photo and "experience" . A rhino does stand still and meekly accept food from humans and a tiger does not willingly go for a walk with humans - this is not in the animals best interests at all even remotely - it's purely for profit and IMHO it undoes any education they may provide - totally and utterly the wrong message!!

Australia zoo are a disgrace - how my TV has survived those Irwin creatures appearing on it even briefly ( as the channel is changed very quickly) I don't know!

[think positive]

[Skids]

Hang on.... what's the issue with hand feeding selected animals?

And let's just elaborate a little on your Perth Zoo quote shall we...

https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/close-encounters

If you want to really appreciate how a giraffe experiences the world, you have to get up high. Really high!

Head behind-the-scenes with a guide and climb the impressive Savannah Outlook tower to get face-to-face with the Zoo’s tallest residents, the giraffe.

See the Zoo from a whole new angle, learn a bit about these long-limbed creatures as they wander over to say hello and – if they’re in the mood for a snack – you might even have the opportunity to feed them one of their favourite, leafy treats.

This happens daily @ 1100hrs, max group size is 10 at a cost of $10 p.p and goes for 10 minutes .. there's another session straight after, same deal.

It’s not until you’re standing face-to-face with a Southern White Rhinoceros that you realise what a contradiction they are.

Two tonne of leathery, horned, imposing muscle wrapped around one of the gentlest natures you could find in the animal kingdom.

Head behind-the-scenes with a zoo keeper and tour the rhinoceros’ night-quarters to see where these gorgeous behemoths spend their evenings and learn all about their individual personalities and behaviours. Memphis and Bakari both love to come and say hello – don’t worry, you’ll be armed with a bucket of their favourite treats to thank them for their hospitality!

This is available 2 days a week @ 1400hr's, max group size is 6 at a cost of $40p.p. and goes for 20 minutes.


Perth Zoo also has;
An Elephant encounter - 1 person, once a week @ $250
A Dingo encounter - 2 people, twice a week @ $70 each
An Orangutan encounter - 6 people once a week @ $60 each
A lemur encounter - 2 people once a week @ $100 each
A "Be a keeper" (primates) encounter - 1 person once a week @ $880
A "Be a keeper" (savanah) encounter - 1 person once a week @ $880
A Best of Australia encounter - 6 people twice a week @ $120
A tortoise eye to eye - 4 people twice a week @ $25
Penguin encounter - 4 people twice a week @ $35
Lion encounter - 6 people twice a week @ $50
Scaly mates (snakes etc) encounter - 12 people 3 times a week @ $10
Bush buddies encounter - 12 people 3 times a week @ $10



These sessions last from 10 - 20 minutes and, if fully booked, raise over $8000/wk extra to help meet the zoos objectives.


I'd suggest that having the animals partake in these activities would be more beneficial to their lives in captivity than not.

[Morrigu]

As I previously said NFI

[Skids]

[stui magpie]

^

Yeah, none of it sounds good.

If I want to see Roos I just go for a walk in the reserve nearby. I haven't been to a zoo for ages. I've been to Hartley's Creek but I doubt if anyone has concerns for salt water crocs. The guide explained to us that there were no lifejackets in the boat because if the boat went down in a lagoon with over 200 salties in it, staying afloat was the least of your problems.

The Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas isn't bad, been there a couple of times, the only animals in pens are reptiles, the wallaby's roam free and yes they can be fed and patted but clearly aren't drugged, just tame but they chose whether they like you enough to be patted or not.

I think there is a place for Zoo's, it just depends how they operate. Something that may need more scrutiny going forward.

[Morrigu]