Opening of Australian Wetlands exhibit at Perth Zoo

December 16, 1997

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes today opened Perth Zoo's newest exhibit - The Australian Wetlands.

"The Australia Wetlands exhibit represents a significant step forward for Perth Zoo's Australian animal experiences and conservation education in Western Australia," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Not only will zoo visitors experience a world-class exhibit but they will also be able to learn more about the importance of wetlands and their roles as nursery areas and waterway filtering systems."

The exhibit features Australian marsupials, frogs, fish and bird life in a freshwater wetland environment.

Wetland bird species such as cormorants and ducks are free-flying in a huge soft net envelope. The envelope is 10m high, 72m long and 36m wide and covers the lake, islands and 150m of pathway and boardwalk.

Wading species such the stilts, avocets, brolgas and Australia's only stork species, the Jabiru, can be seen along the extensive reed and sedge beds lining the exhibit.

"In line with continued development at Perth Zoo, the Australian Wetlands Exhibit marks the opening of the third stage of the Australian Walkabout exhibit, which will eventually cover a fifth of the zoo,"Mrs Edwardes said.

Wetland areas throughout WA have been degraded through draining and land clearing, and animal and plant life threatened by introduced predators and weeds.

"The Australian Wetlands Exhibit will never replace the complex ecosystem that exists in natural wetlands, but this spectacular re-creation is an important educational tool," the Minister said.

"Wetlands are precious habitats and this new exhibit not only provides zoo visitors with a pleasant space to enjoy wetland animals, but also a place to appreciate the diversity of life that depends on them."

The Freddo Frog exhibit at the entrance to the wetlands displays frogs in purpose built, naturalistic exhibits.

Frogs represent some of the most threatened wetland species. Around the world there has been a marked decline and suspected extinctions of amphibian species.

"Recently at the Kyoto Climate Conference, Birdlife International and World Wide Fund for Nature scientists reported almost half the species of frogs and toads in the cloud forests of central America were coming under greater pressure from changes in the world's climate," Mrs Edwardes said.

"Perth Zoo's partnership with Cadbury's Freddo, the Water Corporation, Waters and Rivers Commission and the Department of Conservation and Land Management provides a rare opportunity to educate the community about the threats facing WA wetland species and how we can all act to secure the health and long-term future of these fragile ecosystems.

"With partnerships like this, Perth Zoo's contribution to conservation and education can only continue to grow."

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 9421 7777

Zoo media contact: Ian Williams: 9474 0383 Mobile 041 990 4034