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Latest News from Adelaide Zoo
Fennec Fox Kits on Display at Adelaide Zoo
Adelaide Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of two healthy Fennec Fox kits, one male and one female, born October 17, 2011.
Matt and Scamp, Adelaide Zoos breeding pair of Fennec Foxes, are proving to be great parents caring for their kits diligently.
It's a Girl!
Adelaide Zoo is pleased to announce the critically endangered White Cheeked Gibbon baby, born September 14, 2011, has been confirmed as female.
After waiting patiently to discover the gender of this special baby, Adelaide Zoo staff are now calling on the public to help name her. All are invited to make suggestions by posting on the wall of Adelaide Zoo’s Facebook page.
Much Loved ‘Chook’ the Superb Lyrebird Passes Away
Adelaide Zoo identity and YouTube star, Chook the Superb Lyrebird, passed away this week after 20 years at the Zoo.
Chook arrived at Adelaide Zoo in 1991 from Healesville Sanctuary and has since been delighting the public with his amazing repertoire of calls and mimics, which made him a YouTube sensation with nearly 1.2 million viewings.
Playtime for Adelaide Zoo’s Giant Pandas
From December 17, for the first time, visitors to Adelaide Zoo can view the Zoo’s two Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Funi sharing an exhibit daily.
Statement - Chris West
The last 6 months has been a time of uncertainty and anxiety. We believe that what we do in Zoos SA is of real value to our local community in many ways and goes above and beyond the support of endangered species.
We have been warmed by a groundswell of community support and concern and feel that some key points are now better understood:-
- Zoos SA is an independent charitable organisation and not part of government
- Adelaide Zoo is a major heritage site
- Zoos SA has grown very significantly over the last few years and now has very significant impacts
- Economically
- $116M/year
- Pandas up to $57M/year
- Socially
- 2,000 dependent jobs in SA80,000 school students/year
- 500 volunteers
- 30,000 members
- Community Partnerships
Cultural events
- We work in partnership with Government across DENR, DECs, SATC and other stakeholders and beneficiaries
- We take our moral responsibility for addressing increasing animal welfare standards extremely seriously
Going forward, we will build on a strong tradition and pride in achievements that are recognised internationally. We will re-focus on our conservation mission activities and our business activities.
Statement - Kevin McGuinness
We are pleased to advise that we have reached agreement with both Westpac and the State Government on a plan to restructure the financial position of Zoos South Australia that will enable it to move forward with certainty.
The key elements of the agreement reached are as follows:
- The Westpac debt will be reset to $7.5 million. The debt will have a 5 year term with the principal to be repayable at the end of the 5 year term if not repaid before this
- The State Government has agreed to increase the annual Operating Grant to the Society from $3.2 mill to $4.5 mill effective 1 July 2011. This grant will be indexed on an annual basis moving forward. In addition the State Government will meet the interest costs on the Westpac debt.
We believe that the agreement on the Westpac debt combined with agreement with the South Australian Government on the Operating Grant means a viable and more certain future for this iconic South Australian organisation.
