cheetahs (and siamang) for Tasmania

I really don't see the need for "public comment" on what species (especially these species) a zoo can or cannot hold. I would understand it for more controversially held species (e.g. cetaceans), potentially invasive species, etc, but both these are both relatively low risk species, already widely held in the country. And since when does anyone call a siamang a "greater gibbon"?

Rant over, where would the siamangs be coming from? They say "import" in the article, but I guess that could apply technically to any mainland Australia zoo. Mogo or Adelaide presumably? A siamang import from outside the region would be great. Cheetah are basically the only species held in the region where imports from overseas aren't actually necessary for population health (at the moment anyway).

 

It's a different country down there, alright.

 

Unfortunately the State government is controlled by the Greens - don't expect any pro-zoo regulations for a while.

 

Which species present in the rest of Australia are regulated in Tasmania?

 

I believe animals in the mustelid family for staters.

 

I can recall comments from both politicians and conservationists in Tasmania that have been very anti zoos.

 

That is true.

Until the advent of this particular government those comments did not have legs. Now such commentators have power.

 

Right, well that makes sense. Obviously I didn't think through the state/federal government distinctions, as they don't exist here. I doubt there would be any reasonable reasons why these species couldn't be imported. Or at least I hope that.

 

I think these are Cairns/Mareeba's animals

 

could some give a review of the Tassie Zoos? And post some pics as well, their websites arnt much good .....

 

There were 3 Siamangs at Cairnes - where has the other one gone? I will have to check up again, but I think these are the 2 brothers originally from Melb Zoo. Why does it say they were kept in a small shed at Cairns? They had a large island attached to the night quarters.... whilst they were in the night house when I visited Cairnes, where they never let out? It seems a bit strange to me to never have been outside, when they had an outside area! Glad to hear they are settled in now though.

 

Siamang #3 died as a result of bacteria in the soil on the island. Therefore the surviving two were kept away from the danger by being kept in the nighthouse. This had been originally built for Orangs so was entirely adequate for them - larger, in fact, than an outside enclosure that I have seen for this species in one of the region's zoos.

The nighthouse was modified to allow the animals access to sunlight, rain and fresh air.

 

Curiously, they are still chopping up Tasmania's old growth forests!
I much rather they would concern themselves over that.

This whole consultation process for Tasmania on mainland Australia imports is going nowhere.