New federal funding will see animals at Rockhampton Zoo better protected during natural disasters in the region.
Parks, Sport and Public Spaces Councillor Cherie Rutherford says the Rockhampton Zoo has been successful in the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program, receiving $503,000 in Federal Government funding to better protect the animals in an emergency.
“With the unpredictably of natural disasters the zoo needs to be prepared to ensure our animals are protected as well as the zoo itself,” she says.
“Thanks to the Australian Government, we will be able to improve our emergency response in the event of a bushfire or other natural disaster.”
“We can now update and improve multiple areas at the zoo to ensure the safety of our animals and staff.”
Evacuation pathways, electric trolleys and a new irrigation system are just some of the improvements planned for the zoo.
Cr Rutherford says works are already underway on the back-of-house paths, that will allow for animal crates to be transported quickly and easily during an emergency.
“Unfortunately, not all of our animals can be evacuated in the event of a disaster, including our beloved chimpanzee troop, so we will be installing a fire mitigation system in the chimpanzee house to ensure they will be safe.”
“These are all essential measures that I am proud to see be undertaken to ensure the safety of our animals and staff,” she says.
