Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary Zoos SA new owner of Warrawong

Chlidonias · 17 May 2010

Zoos SA starts new chapter for Warrawong - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The sometimes-troubled Warrawong Sanctuary in the Adelaide hills has a new owner.

Zoos SA has bought the business and promised it will continue founder John Wamsley's vision to offer a haven for wildlife.

When it opened in 1985, Warrawong Sanctuary near Mylor struggled to attract 10,000 visitors per year.

Now about 100,000 people per year walk through the gates.

Owner Anthony Miller is proud of what has been achieved.

"Seeing where it is today and seeing the people, the full car park, seeing the animals in their safe environment, it's a great achievement," he said.

Warrawong was started by conservationist Dr John Wamsley and became famous for its colony of endangered bilbies.

But when its operations became a publicly-company, the sanctuary ran into trouble and was eventually bought by a Melbourne-based consortium, who then sold it to the Millers.

Now Zoo SA's Heather Caddick says Warrawong will see a new chapter.

"Really we're just picking up the baton and moving on," she said.

"We don't have to change much at all, or anything in fact."

Zoos SA has bought the business for an undisclosed sum.

Adelaide Zoo CEO Dr Chris West says there will be a focus on promoting the sanctuary's famous attractions

"I see it as an opportunity for people to come at night time, meet platypus and other native species, get a sense of what things were like before European settlement," he said.

Zoos SA has enlisted the help of the Ngarrindjeri people, who will use the sanctuary for training and employment programs for the Indigenous community.

The new ownership is expected to save the Warrawong site from housing development and saves the jobs of the sanctuary's 30 employees.
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zooman · 17 May 2010

Would sooo love to know the $

ZYBen · 17 May 2010

Warrawong didnt sell for a whole lot last time.

zooman · 20 May 2010

Hi Ben,

a whole lot of bananas, nuts or dollars...

above 500K or below? Or is that way off?

mr.fox · 28 May 2010

does that mean that entry is no longer FREE? I suspect that will change!

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Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary Zoos SA new owner of Warrawong

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Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary Zoos SA new owner of Warrawong

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