$95m for zoos keeps the wolf from the door

Zoos and aquariums will be handed access to a $95m fund to keep animals fed and enclosures maintained.

Senior Reptile Keeper at Hartleys Crocodile Adventures, Bill Collette feeds Hagred the crocodile. Picture: Brian Cassey.

Zoos and aquariums facing economic shock following travel bans and reductions in donations will be handed access to a $95m fund to keep animals fed and enclosures maintained.

The rescue package, sourced from the Morrison government’s $1bn coronavirus relief and recovery fund, is expected to support wildlife attractions across Australia including Taronga Zoo and the SEA LIFE aquariums.

Wildlife parks, zoos and aquariums, which attract more than 20 million visitors a year, have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost to operate large chimpanzee exhibits, similar to those at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, is more than $500,000 a year. Feeding a large herd of elephants costs more than $100,000 in hay a year.

A lion is estimated to eat $250 worth of red meat a week, equating to $13,000 across a year, while koalas cost $400 a week for feed and habitat maintenance.

Angela Freeman, who operates Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures wildlife park in north Queensland with husband, Peter, said the business was losing $170,000 a month since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, one of Australia’s longest continually operating wildlife parks, is home to more than 800 types of animals, including more than 4000 crocodiles.

Ms Freeman told The Australian that before social-distancing measures were introduced, the park would normally see 3500 tourists through its doors each week. The Freemans have been forced to lay off 55 staff. “Impact-wise, it’s a huge one emotionally because we feel gutted about doing that. For a family business where you know everyone personally, it’s just awful,” Ms Freeman said.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is now “playing a waiting game” until the park can reopen but Ms Freeman predicted that once restrictions were lifted, it would not be a case of the floodgates opening.

The government has set up the fund to directly support wildlife parks and zoos in regional areas, which are considered major drawcards for tourists.

Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the funding would offer a “lifeline” for zoos as they experienced sharp reductions in revenue. “It’s absolutely crucial our iconic zoos and aquariums can still operate on the other side and play a major role in helping our tourism industry to recover from this,” he said.

Senator Birmingham said Australians shouldn’t “underestimate the huge positive flow-on effects our zoos and aquariums provide to our economy”.

“They bring thousands of visitors into communities who then spend millions of dollars ­visiting other attractions, sleeping in our hotels and dining in our restaurants,” he said.

Eligible zoos and aquariums will be able to use the government grants — contributing up to six months of animal welfare operating costs — to fund veterinarian, food and other specialised care expenses and utilities.

While funding is expected to vary depending on the total operating costs for zoos and aquariums, it would be expected that larger zoos would be eligible for funding of about $1m.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the money would ensure quality treatment and animal care. “While COVID-19 may be keeping visitors away, zookeepers, aquarium owners and veterinarians continue to play a lead role in wildlife recovery after the bushfires,” Ms Ley said.

“At the same time, they are caring for millions of animals who live permanently within their network and this is critical funding to support the welfare of those animals along with the vital ongoing role zoos play in conserving our environment and protecting ­native species.”