staff going without pay so lions don't go hungry » Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve

22-12-2010

Although this is an area with many tourists there must be a large proportion of visitors with no interest in this kind of a place. Although I enjoy visiting zoos I can see lions at home, when in Australia I want to see local species or more likely visit the real rainforest/reef etc.

22-12-2010

Trust me when I say that there is NO shortage of wildlife attractions with native animals; it is exotic animals that are in short, and the Australian members will know that too well.

It is interesting that when I visited the CWSR, it was the only place I saw that only had exotics, although I think an exhibit for mixed marsupials was in the making at the time (to please the tourists, who expect them in an Australian zoo, even if most foreign zoos have one or even more species, and in the village of Kuranda close by are several wildlife attractions with most of the best known Australian fauna).

22-12-2010

I know, I've been. I still think that even though it may be the only collection in the area with exotics it would have limited appeal to a large proportion of overseas travellers, of which there are a lot in that area. I realise that it may also cater to the domestic tourist market but, with all the area has to offer, even as a generally interested zoo visitor, it's the last place I'd go.

23-12-2010

Both of you are right. CWSR has the wrong animals to appeal to international visitors and is too far out of Cairns to grab the attention of domestic visitors wanting to entertain the kids for a couple of hours. Also, I suspect the collection is just a bit too small to be getting much repeat visitation from locals.

Baldur - the only other zoo that is focused on exotics to such an extent is Mogo. It has the advantage of being on a holiday coast that people drive, rather than fly too, and is thus much more accessible to visitors to the region. Having said that, Mogo has also struggled to stay afloat at times.

23-12-2010

When this property was originally planned it was envisaged as a specialist primate zoo with walkthrough enclosures like Apenheul. I think it is a shame it never developed in that direction.

23-12-2010

The ticks would have played havoc with such a collection at that location.

23-12-2010

Source please?

23-12-2010

I just can't get over the food bill.

23-12-2010

Steve Robinson.

23-12-2010

OK well maybe that is the reason it didn't go that route.

23-12-2010

haha. staight from the source's mouth

23-12-2010

My source was very similair

28-12-2010

During the change of ownership of the Zoo.... many primates passed on... due to ticks.....

29-12-2010

What species didn't do well, and what do they still have?

14-01-2011

Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve on the market- Local Cairns News | cairns.com.au


FOR sale: 24 lions, four tigers, three bears, two cheetahs, seven hippos, one rhinoceros, seven monkeys, two pythons, two otters, various deer, four ostriches and 20 other birds, reptiles and animals.

The Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve is on the market, with expressions of interest being called for the zoo, near Kuranda.


No price tag has been put on the freehold property and business but its estimated value is more than $3 million.


Owner Jenny Jattke said she was selling to spend more time with her children and elderly parents.


Operating and owning the 53ha property, about 40km west of Cairns, for the past five years had been one of the most exciting times of her life, she said.


“But it’s time for me to spend more time with my family, my four children (aged 13-20) and my elderly parents,” Ms Jattke said.


“I’ve been working (at the zoo) seven days a week. I’ve haven’t spent one day with my children during the school holidays.

I want to spend more time with them before they grow up.


“It’s been the time of my life, it’s been great.


“Every day is a highlight. Outside my office (now) there are 19 lions just 5m away


Marketing agent Greg Wood of Knight Frank Cairns said they would be scouring the globe looking for buyers.


The property includes a three bedroom house, a cafe and restaurant with all licences, a 445m Kennedy Highway boundary, all animal licences, enclosures, vehicles and other plant and equipment