Department denies April 19 Wildlife train deadline

THE much loved tourist train at the Territory Wildlife Park could well be headed for the end of the line, with reports it will run its last circuit of the park next month

The much loved tourist train at the Territory Wildlife Park could well be headed for the end of the line, with reports it will run its last circuit of the park on April 19.

Documents obtained by the NT News from a meeting on March 2 this year reveal the Territory Wildlife Park (TWP) already had a proposal underway to remove trains from the TWP Service and introduce alternative transport.

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It is understood staff have been told the last day of the train’s operation would be April 19.

But a Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security spokesman denied the claims.

“No, the trains will not be stopping on April 19,” she said.

“There has been no decision to cease the trains at the Territory Wildlife Park.”

Staff were also given approved media lines, to be used for social media responses and inquiries, which were relayed verbatim to requests from the NT News as follows:

“There has been no decision to cease the trains at the Territory Wildlife Park.”

“The trains are much loved and have served visitors well. However, the existing trains are ageing and will need to be replaced.”

“The need to upgrade the trains provides us with an opportunity to look at alternative options which will be sustainable, provide additional experiences and benefit everyone.”

“A few ideas we are investigating are a self-drive option, e-bikes and scooters and gulf (golf) buggies.”

“Visitor comfort, safety and enjoyment will be our top priority and will factor into any decision we make.”

Other approved lines staff had been instructed to relay included: “The April date is a mystery to us” and “More than 60,000 people visit the Territory Wildlife Park annually and we are always looking at ways to improve the experiences of our visitors, including transport around the park”.

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A third approved line which was not forwarded to the NT News said “Thank you for the generous support for the fabulous work of the Territory Wildlife Park.”

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