Open Plains Zoo for Perth??? » Perth Zoo

11-02-2008

Must admit I haven't been to Perth Zoo.

Are their enclosures for white rhino, elephants etc. really all that restrictive and horrendous? I'd like an unbiased opinion (i.e. by someone other than Jaywa, thanks.)

11-02-2008

There was an episode of Animal hospital a few years back that featured Perth Zoo, at the time they seemed to be well ahead of the other zoos in terms of husbandry (possibly bacause of handling techniques) but they seemed fine back then and the elephants are walked around the park, and in my opinion that is often better than an enclosure say the likes of dubbo. But things may have changed since that episode, it was a while back now

11-02-2008

No doubt about you Ara - no one has said or is saying the elephant enclosures are horendouse!!! Get a grip!!! There are a few animal lovers here saying they would like to see the big animals get space like an open range zoo - comprehendie???

11-02-2008

Wow Jaywa - Are you on crack or something. . . calm that **** down brother. . . Ara just asked a simple question. and I believe it was not meant for you to answer.

11-02-2008

Jarkari Perth Zoo have really lifted their game - like most zoos they realise the public want to come along and feel happy looking at the animals not depressed. I support PZ as much as I can. There were 3 baby elephants at one stage who use to get walked around the Swan River foreshore to the delight of everybody - but of course they grow (wish we could keep them little longer). I have been talking to the keepers over the months and they are certainly a terrific bunch of people - very caring - couldn't be better people. They too have a wish list for their animals similiar to mine - but meanwhile their charges are shown alot of love and attention. I am sure you would like PZ.

11-02-2008

I am so confused. . . I just complimented the zoo . . .

11-02-2008

Sorry Jarkari, but before you know it a lot of people get the idea that because we want an open range zoo for the bigger animals we end up with comments like that one - it must be horrendous. Hysteria. Have to set the record straight very quickly.

11-02-2008

Ara, I was at Perth zoo in 2000, it looked like a good zoo with some really good exhibits, the enclosure for the White rhinos is fine, the same for the elephants, but the exhibit could of been somewhat bigger in size, maybe it has been enlarged since then. I quite like the zoo.

There are some photos of the zoo in the gallery

11-02-2008

Hang in there Jarkari - you have a good heart. Meanwhile I am going to watch the Animals Australia segment on TV about cruelty to animals in the Middle East. Best wishes.

11-02-2008

I don't think nybody thought it was horrendous, I think (hmmm like a certain big cat sanctuary post) they would be forking out a huge cost for very little reason. There was a need for Dubbo as the zoo was overcrowded. Dubbo Would make (and this is only an estimate) $10 - $12 million with food and retail, admissions etc, probably enough to support itself, but the rest of the money from expansion and the like has to come from somewhere else, like the NSW Government and Taronga's income. . . you would have to have a justifiable reason for the building of such a place in western Australia and saying that keepers would like more space, when it isn't really that much of an issue just isn't worthwhile (I would bet Taronga's keepers would want more room for just about every animal). The money has to come from somewhere and I can't see this happening unless assisted by a private party, which is highly unlikely.

11-02-2008

Perth Zoo has rolled out, progressively, a fairly comprehensive range of improvements in recent years.
+since Marks visit in 2000 the elephant enclosure has been doubled in size; during my time in Perth in 2006 the original enclosure was being used exclusively for the bull...a new elephant ampitheatre has just opened. there is potential to expand this exhibit
+the white rhino enclosure was enlarged in 2004 or 2005 along with the hunting dog exhibit, creating what are very suitable exhibits. breeding records for both species exemplify this.
+new sun bear enclosure
+new orangutan enclosures
.............in the near future newer and bigger enclosures for lion and cheetah are due. check out the master plan for the list of developments.......

11-02-2008

go to Buildingwa.com - building Resources and Information. This website is for sale! for more info and pics of the new ampitheatre, which includes more exercise areas for the females. the development also saw a new bull barn constructed...

11-02-2008

Thanks Glyn

Perth Zoo
13-02-2008

I visited it way back in 1985 .
Even back then they were actively redeveloping the zoo and creating better
enclosures for their animals .
I have visited several zoos since then that are worse than Perth Zoo of 1985
( San Francisco , Washington DC , KL , Seoul for starters .... )

14-02-2008

@Nigel: on a side note, you might want to check out the thread entitled "Washington D.C. Zoo" in the North American section of the forum. I've never been there, but they are apparently much improved and are aiming to be the world's best zoo by 2016. Yankee propaganda? The Asian exhibits on Zoolex apper to be excellent, and I might visit the zoo in the summer.