Safari animals will be fine, says park group
James Twining
29Apr08
DEVELOPERS of the proposed African safari theme park in Werribee have reassured critics they know how to properly care for animals.
This is despite conceding they have limited experience in looking after African species.
Village Roadshow told the Leader this week that animal welfare would be its "number one" priority if it was given the green light to incorporate a $220 million theme park into Werribee Open Range Zoo.
This follows several letters to the Leader questioning the global giant's capacity to properly care for the creatures.
The proposal would put rare species next door to roller coasters, sparking concern from Friends of the Zoo and Zoos Victoria.
Village chief executive John Harnden said he could understand community concern but that there was nothing to worry about.
"From our point of view, animal welfare is paramount in terms of animal-enclosure locations and we are looking to improve what is already there," Mr Harnden said.
"Firstly, the more traditional theme park attractions are located well away from the animals.
"Secondly ... the technology is very quiet. There is no question there will be crowd noise, however again you've got an overall park environment and the design of those noisy areas is taken into account.
"When you look at our very successful models it shows this can absolutely work and I think that you've got the great themes of animal care, conservation and environment."
RSPCA Australia president Dr Hugh Wirth said he was not convinced Village Roadshow could be trusted.
"The fact of the matter is Werribee Zoo, in terms of land mass, is quite small," Dr Wirth said. "If you are giving up some of this space to run a commercial theme park, or circus, then it is going to be the animals that suffer."
The theme park proposal is still under consideration by the State Government.
