Zoos SA going wild for increase in members

Our zoos have taken a COVID financial hit – but more of us are buying memberships.

Chief Exec of Zoos SA Elaine Bensted at Adelaide Zoo. Picture: Brenton Edwards

ZOOS SA has managed to grow its membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, as South Australians throw their support behind its conservation efforts.

Zoos SA chief executive Elaine Bensted said 48,000 people were now members of Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park, up from 46,000 at the same time last year.

She said this was largely due to people wanting to support the work of the conservation charity and a visit to the zoo being considered a safe, family outing.

But the zoos, which closed on March 25 when the pandemic hit and did not reopen until the end of June, have still taken a financial hit over the past year.

Ms Bensted said the loss of events, such as weddings and school sleepovers, had greatly “impacted the bottom line”.

“Revenue is significantly down because our visitor numbers are down,” Ms Bensted said.

However, she said a strong December had helped Zoos SA make up some of the revenue shortfall and January was “looking good”.

“Closing the doors in March was one of the toughest days I have ever had working,” she said.

The zoos are operating at half capacity, with 2150 people allowed in Adelaide Zoo at any one time, and 1150 at Monarto, with most sessions booked out.

Ms Bensted said unlike some overseas zoos that had, or were considering, returning their pandas to China because of financial pressures or difficulty accessing bamboo, Wang Wang, inset, and Fu Ni’s future in Adelaide was certain.