Petition to save Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary at Mylor from extinction

A COMMUNITY campaign to save the much-loved Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, due to close next month, has swung into action, with support from as far away as Canada.

A COMMUNITY campaign to save the much-loved Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary, due to close next month, has swung into action, with support from as far away as Canada.

A change.org petition, calling on the State Government to stop the closure of the Mylor sanctuary, has attracted more than 1500 of signatures and lists its target as 10,000 signatures.

The petition was created by David Miller, from Vancouver, Canada.

Mr Miller, is the son of Anthony and Judy Miller, immediate past owners of Warrawong.

Now based in Vancouver, Canada, he lived in Adelaide for five years.

The petition asks the public to put their name to an open letter to South Australian Tourism and the South Australian Government.

"Stop the closure of Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary in South Australia, the letter reads.

"Warrawong is home to many near extinct native animals and we connot let this treasure close."

The petition page has also attracted comments of support from a number of countries.

"I love this gorgeous natural place, and a sanctuary is not meant to close down," Flora Blanchard, of France, wrote.

Zoos South Australia yesterday announced that Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary at Mylor, in the Adelaide Hills, would close on March 1 because bushfire protection would cost too much.

Chief executive Elaine Bensted said most animals would be relocated to Adelaide or Monarto Zoos and staff would be redeployed, where possible.

She said the executive team, with the board, had reviewed the Warrawong business as part of Zoos SA's five-year business plan.

"There were always questions about the financial viability of Warrawong," Ms Bensted said.

"All of the different options that we looked at would have struggled to be financially viable for Zoos South Australia to manage."

Recent correspondence with the Adelaide Hills Council on bushfire safety standards was "the final straw". 

"It made the decision clearer ... the business was running at a financial loss", she said.

Adelaide Hills Council Mayor Bill Spragg said the Zoos SA fire plan pointed to refuge areas that were inadequate and the 14 cabins did not meet national standards.

"I'm disappointed but I can understand that Warrawong Sanctuary has been awkward for a lot of people," he said.

"I know it's popular and it's iconic for us but clearly it takes a lot of money to run the sanctuary. Knowing that Zoos SA has a lot of other commitments, I can understand the decision to not keep another one open that's not paying its way."

He said the council hadn't set a timeline for works to be completed.

Comments flooded in to adelaidenow, with readers feeling shocked and devastated at the horrible shame and waste.

The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority, which owns the site, chose not to comment on the story at this time.

Immediate past owner Anthony Miller said it was a "very sad day indeed. RIP Warrawong!"

"Our main concerns are the animals and endangered species that call Warrawong home, as well as the dedicated and passionate staff members that have kept Warrawong and its dream alive," he said.

"Many of these have remained our friends."

Ms Bensted said the zoo began business operations at Warrawong in June 2010 in partnership with the Ngarrindjeri people, who own the Warrawong land, with a vision to grow key revenue streams.

"At the time of acquisition growing accommodation, function and conference revenue and increasing educational visits was key to the success of Warrawong," Ms Bensted said.

Zoos SA staff have been advised of the closure as have the State Government, Zoos SA members and key supporters.

"Our No.1 priority now is to ensure a smooth transition for our staff. We're hoping to absorb a number of the Warrawong staff into similar roles across the organisation and will provide support to all other staff," Ms Bensted said.

"Animal welfare is an important part of the transition period.

"Animals currently residing at Warrawong that Zoos SA introduced to the property and that require special care will be transferred to Adelaide or Monarto Zoo where we'll be able to continue important conservation work with these endangered Australian species."

To ensure a smooth transition, Zoos SA will maintain regular contact with the Ngarrindjeri people and both parties will continue to enjoy a close working relationship through the successful Aboriginal Learning on Country program running at Monarto Zoo, Ms Bensted said.

"Throughout the assessment of our operations at Warrawong we have worked closely with the Ngarrindjeri and they have been informed of our decision to cease business operations," she said.

"As the legal owners of the land they will now require time to consider options for the future."

Founded by Dr John Wamsley, known to many as the man with the cat fur hat, Warrawong was the first in a series of feral-proof sanctuaries for native wildlife.

Earth Sanctuaries was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange in 2000 but suffered financial setbacks. It was sold to ES Link in 2004.

ES Link sold five land allotments surrounding the sanctuary for housing before settling with tourism veteran Anthony Miller, the man who saved the Big Rocking Horse and The Toy Factory in Gumeracha from closure in 2004, on 14.2ha of sanctuary park in June 2006. The land was bought for between $1 million and $2 million.

At that time, Mr Miller said he was interested in maintaining the site for eco-tourism but the land was worth more than the business lease. He called on South Australians to support the sanctuary and boosted visitor numbers from 10,000 a year to about 100,000.

In 2010 the Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority acquired the land from Mr Miller.