Closure of bear pits at Perth Zoo

31/8/93

The days of zoos being virtual prisons for wildlife were long gone, Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today.

"No longer are zoos like stamp collections with one of everything," Mr Minson said.

"Today they have both a conservation and educational role to play.

"For this reason it is a relief to finally see the Perth Zoo's old bear pits receive a visit from a rock crusher."

Mr Minson said the pits, built in 1955 and extended in 1959, originally housed up to 10 different species of bears.

He said five years ago new spacious enclosures were built leaving the old pits vacant.

The cost of demolition was too high but this year the Perth Zoo Society, the zoo's new fundraising arm, negotiated sponsorship for the removal of the pits.

Westrac Equipment Pty Ltd would sponsor the $50,000 project, which involved removing 6,000 tonnes of concrete and steel, to make way for the Asian rainforest exhibit.

Mr Minson said the rainforest exhibit would showcase the spectacular animals and landscapes representative of the region.

This was part of the zoo's 25-year master plan and it was hoped it would be open to the public by October 1998.

The demolition of these bear pits demonstrates very clearly how the zoo is being redesigned from the ground up for conservation," Mr Minson said.

"These pits, now unacceptable for housing animals, were considered state-of-the-art when built.

"They are a relic from a time which has thankfully gone and their removal highlights the extent of upgrading occurring at the zoo.

"Today people demand a much more humane environment for zoological exhibits.

"They expect zoos to be involved in the captive breeding of endangered species and not places where people just stand in front of cages looking at wildlife."

Media contact: Diana Callander 321 2222 or 222 9595