Preparations are being made to welcome two new rhinos at Perth Zoo, following the departure of its elephants.
This will be the first time in decades the zoo will be without elephants, after female Asian elephant Permai leaves for Monarto Safari Park in South Australia this month. Putra Mas will follow later in the year.
Executive Director David van Ooran said, "They are iconic animals. The zoo staff, volunteers and the public love them. But of course, animal welfare underpins all of our decisions at Perth Zoo."
"Relocating our two elephants to Monarto to be in a bigger herd is really critical and important, and that's our precedent there, and one we're really excited about, for them and for us as well."
This departure starts another round of development at the zoo, which sees the creation of a gibbon run, tripling their habitat and allowing visitors to walk underneath them.
Additionally, the development will see a new cafe, a function centre, a nature-based playground, and a new Parkland Heart precinct, which will include a barbeque area, extra seating, new event areas, and an arbour.
The zoo also plans to expand the African Savannah and introduce new species in the future.
It's expected the development will cost around $30 million and take multiple years before its completed.
"The African Savannah will take us a number of years — two to three years — to develop. It's not cheap. Running a zoo … it's very complex, providing world-leading habitats and veterinary support to these really fascinating animals."
This African Savannah is expected to include a new, expanded giraffe enclosure, two new rhinos, antelopes and ostriches.
The departure of Permai and Putra Mas will leave something missing from the zoo's offerings, considering they have been a staple.
"Animal welfare versus the commercial operations. They are really kind of hand-in-glove. They work well, but animal welfare takes clear precedence."
About a third of the annual revenue comes from patronage, however, the zoo believes it will have enough to offer, despite the missing elephants.
"We do have to understand the impacts of departures and arrivals, and what that might mean for us. For example, the new primate run habitat is coming on board in April, May and we expect a lift and a boost in visitation from that new habitat. The elephants, clearly, will have an impact on elephant lovers, but there's so much going on. We're constantly evolving."
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