UPDATE: Territory Wildlife Park given almost $1 million lifeline to keep exhibits open

The Territory Wildlife Park will receive a one-off $900,000 payment to keep exhibits open amid reports that exhibitions were set to be axed.

UPDATE: THE struggling Territory Wildlife Park will receive a one off $900,000 payment to keep exhibits open following pressure from the media and public.

Reports that exhibitions were set to be axed and staff numbers cut angered fans of the wildlife park.

The funding means the exhibits can remain open with ‘no immediate changes to operations”.

Parks and Ranges Minister Selena Uibo said the government had deciding to give the parka one off payment as it recognised the impact Covid-19 has had on visitor numbers.

“I am proud to announce the Territory Wildlife Park will receive a one-off Covid payment of $900,000, & the Alice Springs Desert Park will receive $300,000,” Ms Uibo said.

“We have listened to Territorians and today’s announcement absolutely guarantees there will be no immediate changes to the operations of the Territory Wildlife Park.

“It means all of our amazing animal and bird displays and exhibits will remain open for everyone to enjoy.

“Thank you to our wonderful Wildlife Park staff for all of the amazing work you do.”

Baby Dingo Leia and Trerritory Wildlife Park keeper Donna Jensen ... the park will receive a one-off $900,000 payment to keep exhibits open. Picture: Che Chorley

EARLIER: The fate of the Territory Wildlife Park remains in limbo with Parks and Wildlife Minister Selena Uibo unable to say when announcement would be made on the park’s future.

Recent concerns have been raised on the park enclosures potentially being cut by a third due to changes in the park’s budget.

Speaking on ABC Radio Ms Uibo could not say when an announcement would be made on what the budgetary changes would mean for the park.

Until then she confirmed that Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security were working through options with park staff.

“The work is being done by the department, they’ll be coming back with the different options that have been provided and discuss that with the staff at the park,” she said.

“What we’re doing is looking at the different options to make sure the budget of the park is sustainable in the long run, it is our priority to keep the park open.

“Something we are looking forward to in the very short term is our government is offering a one-off Covid support payment to the Territory Wildlife Park.”

Ms Uibo did confirm that one solution the department was looking at to ease budget issues was the closure of the Monsoon Forest area, Buffalo Trail, Rocky Ridge and Dingoes enclosure.

“I believe that is one of the options the department is looking at. They are working with park staff to look at all the options,” she said.

Parks and Wildlife Minister Selena Uibo said the government was offering a one-off Covid support payment to the park. Picture: Che Chorley

“They are the options that are being put forward. No decision has been made yet. These options are being worked on to see what is sustainable for the park.

“We’re looking at all of the options to make sure the park stays open, that is enjoyable and that there is also improved safety and maintenance for visitor experiences.”

The Northern Territory government allocated $5.412m to the Wildlife Park in the 2021-22 Budget.

Regular volunteer worker at the park, Nigel Olliver said the park was under dire threat.

“The Rock Ridge exhibit has been vacant for some time and many enclosures in nocturnal house are similarly vacant,” he said.

“Some of the tasks I’ve undertaken as a volunteer have been required because the staff that normally undertake them are no longer here.

Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said it was disturbing that Ms Uibo was unable to rule out that animals would not be culled as part of their ‘review’.

“During the Minister’s trainwreck interviews on different radio stations, Labor had a political epiphany and jumped on social media to promise a ‘one off’ payment to the park,” she said. “This is nothing more than a desperate political move on the eve of a by-election and does nothing more than kick the fate of the Wildlife Park under Labor down the road.”