Adelaide Hills Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary acquired by WA couple
MUCH-LOVED Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary has been bought by WA zoo owners who plan to restore it and turn it into “a jewel in the crown of the Adelaide Hills”, four years after it closed down.
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MUCH-LOVED Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary has been bought by WA zoo owners who plan to restore it and turn it into “a jewel in the crown of the Adelaide Hills”.
David Cobbold and Narelle MacPherson bought the Mylor sanctuary for an undisclosed sum and want to revive the 28-acre park after its closure four years ago.
The new owners plan to reinstate it as a contemporary wildlife sanctuary, featuring hospitality, accommodation, function, and education facilities.
“There’s not a lot you can’t achieve if you have the vision and the work ethic. We are determined to reinstate this wonderful site back into a premium wildlife sanctuary,” Mr Cobbold said.
Ms MacPherson said that even though the site was abandoned four years ago, some of the animal populations were still here.
“There is great infrastructure for animals and public alike. That gives us a strong foundation so we can reinvigorate Warrawong as a jewel in the crown of the Adelaide Hills,” she said.
The couple previously transformed a derelict bird park into Peel Zoo in Perth, which now boasts 45,000 visitors a year.
The pair have sold their WA home and put Peel Zoo on the market to reopen Warrawong.
Mr Cobbold likened the purchase of Warrawong Sanctuary to the beginning of Peel Zoo 12 years ago.
“Warrawong has carved a reputation as a significant contributor to Australia’s wildlife conservation. It is the birthplace of feral-proof fencing, cat curfews, and the chocolate Easter bilby,” he said.
The sanctuary still needs to refurbish its kitchen, restore the water supply and the ecosystem before it can be formally opened but the owners said the Hills community are in full support of the project.
The sanctuary was founded in 1969 by Dr John Wamsely. At its peak it occupied about 85 acres.
Some of it was later subdivided, leaving the 28-acre current site. The last occupant of the
site, ZooSA, closed it as a sanctuary in 2013, despite a community campaign to save it.
