Koala Park in trouble

Chlidonias · 7 Jan 2011

a couple of recent stories about the sad state of this wildlife park in Sydney.
Wildlife park told to clean up | The Daily Telegraph

December 19, 2010

ONE of Sydney's oldest wildlife parks has been ordered to lift its game after Government inspectors uncovered ageing and dirty animal exhibits, drainage problems and out-of-date records.

The Department of Primary Industries has slapped a series of defect notices on the Koala Park Sanctuary, a privately run park that attracts thousands of visitors a year, including Asian tourists by the busload.

The West Pennant Hills park, which is home to kangaroos, koalas, penguins, echidnas, emus, dingoes and native birds, was ordered to fix a series of problems after an inspection in September found evidence of risks to animal welfare.

Inspectors demanded owners fix the stormwater drain in the kangaroo and emu enclosure urgently, as well as a sagging tarpaulin over the koala exhibit.

They also found sheep were being kept in pens on stage for long periods of time before and after shearing demonstrations, while a cockatoo exhibit was close to collapsing.

Other welfare concerns included native bird species that ideally required their own aviary being kept together, and a lack of up-to-date animal records and proper signage.

A department spokesman said parts of the park were suffering from fatigue.

"As a result, we've asked the centre to lift its game, particularly regarding some of the drainage facilities," he said.

"We've written a report and will be returning in the new year to check on the progress. Animal welfare is a top priority, and we want to make sure that the animals in this case have the best facilities to live in."

When The Sunday Telegraph visited the wildlife park last week, we found the stormwater drain was still emptying into the kangaroo and emu enclosure, which was devoid of grass.

The penguin pool was also completely drained, leaving only puddles of green algae - which gave off a foul stench that could be smelt from the other side of the park. In addition, the only sources of fluids for the echidnas were some small bowls of dirty water.

However, an RSPCA inspector who visited the park on Friday said he did not believe any of the animals were suffering or had been neglected or were malnourished.

Park manager David McNamara said the welfare of the animals at the park was his primary concern.

"Our main priority is the animals' health always has been, always will be. Some of the aesthetics that people see aren't as good as we would hope but we're working on those," Mr McNamara said.

He said a revamp of the kangaroo enclosure was planned for next year.

Mr McNamara said most of the other problems highlighted in the department's report had been fixed and the park had until February to complete the remainder. The wildlife sanctuary has been owned and operated by the same family since it opened in the 1930s.

"I didn't see any major welfare issues with the animals," Mr Walsh said.

"The park has always been compliant with any direction it has had in the past."
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Decrepit zoo left donated cash in bank | The Daily Telegraph

January 02, 2011

SYDNEY'S neglected Koala Park Sanctuary has done nothing with more than $400,000 worth of donations from the public.

The West Pennant Hills wildlife park has let the funds, intended for a new koala hospital, sit in a high-interest savings account for more than 20 years, while the park has grown decrepit and neglected.

The park began collecting funds in 1989 to build what was said to be an urgently needed koala hospital - enlisting the help of a Sydney newspaper to spread word of the appeal. Thousands of schoolchildren helped raise the cash, donating bags of five cent coins.

Residents, business owners and children who gave generously from their own pockets are now demanding the park owners come clean on their plans for the cash. Castle Hill resident Frances Harding, now in her 80s, contributed some cash two decades ago.

"I feel that after all these years something should be done and the money should start to be used," she said.

"It was so long ago there aren't many people who would remember they donated to the appeal back in 1989."

Mrs Harding said the money should be redirected to another koala hospital at Port Macquarie, where there was a larger koala population, while Castle Hill MP Michael Richardson said he would raise the issue of the unspent funds with Koala Park.

"There were a lot of kids who emptied their piggy banks to provide money for the cause, and I think those kids - who are now adults - should get some result from their investment," Mr Richardson said. "If there is a shortage of money, perhaps the Government can make up the difference."

When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph, park manager David McNamara admitted the cash was sitting in a high interest-yielding savings account. He said the hospital had not been built yet as more money was still needed.

He said the public had originally donated $150,000, which had grown to $400,000.

The Sunday Telegraph revealed last month the park was under investigation for risks to animal welfare.
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CGSwans · 7 Jan 2011

Penguins without water? Setting aside my astonishment at the fact that they have penguins at all... that is surely something that a) could be fixed within 48 hours and b) is unforgivable for having been allowed to happen at all.

Hix · 8 Jan 2011

Sounds like a visit by a ZooChatter with a camera is needed .....

Hix

Steve Robinson · 8 Jan 2011

Hix said: ↑

Sounds like a visit by a ZooChatter with a camera is needed .....

Hix
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When are you going?

We went last year. Still can't understand why NSW DPI are persecuting a little old lady at Gunnedah who is doing the right thing but letting this abomination continue. What they are doing at West Pennant Hills now is w-a-y too late. Money must talk.

Hix · 8 Jan 2011

Steve Robinson said: ↑

When are you going?
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Not for a while, unfortunately. Too many other plans.

And definitely not before school goes back.

Hix

Jabiru96 · 30 Aug 2015

No Cookies | dailytelegraph.com.au

A KOALA sanctuary in Sydney’s north-west faces fines of up to $192,500 after allegedly failing to provide veterinary treatment.

West Pennant Hills Koala Park Sanctuary will face seven charges with a maximum penalty of $27,500 per charge after a complaint was made that five koalas were allegedly neglected.

The park, on Castle Hill Rd, has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case is set to return to Parramatta Local Court on September 17.

The sanctuary’s website says it was founded in the 1920s and officially opened in 1930 by creator Noel Burnett.

“He became alarmed at the high numbers of koalas shot for the large export fur trade — he spent his whole life fighting to protect, research and create a safe environment in which they could live and breed naturally,” the site says.

The sanctuary opened Australia’s first koala research hospital in its early days. Other Australian fauna such as kangaroos, emus, wombats and dingoes also feature.

The Daily Telegraph was making attempts to contact the sanctuary.
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Jabiru96 · 9 Nov 2015

Pretty grim (albeit slightly sensationalized) read: Koala Park Sanctuary has only four koalas, two dingoes one wombat and a cage of budgerigars | Daily Mail Online

Rough · 10 Nov 2015

Staffing issue or management? Surely it wouldn't take much to get it back to a successful park? Perhaps it needs to be closed for a few months to undertake some much needed work and maybe training.

Jabiru96 · 1 Feb 2016

The park has been fined $75,000 and banned from obtaining new koalas for 6 months: RSPCA photos from Koala Park Sanctuary show emaciated koalas with infected eyes | Daily Mail Online

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Koala Park in trouble

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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Koala Park in trouble

Chlidonias Moderator Staff Member 15+ year member

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Hix Wildlife Enthusiast and Lover of Islands 15+ year member Premium Member

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