Whangerei big cat park aims for summer reopening

While remedial work at the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary near Whangerei has been taking longer than expected, the owners of the attraction are aiming for it to reopen in time for the summer season.

Well known for its collection tigers and lions, which currently number 34, the former Zion Wildlife Garden has been closed for more than a year since its new owners, Bolton Equities of Auckland, bought the park in early 2014.

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) first ordered the park closed to the public in July last year, while the animal enclosures were upgraded to meet new standards.

MPI then extended the closure until 31st August but the upgrading has still not been completed.

Bolton Equities Director Martin Weekes recently advised that while the upgrades had been finished six new animal enclosures are yet to be completed.

Weekes stated “the new enclosures are not MPI requirements but ours in terms of our operation because we need more space for the existing animals and new ones if we decide to get more."

Weekes said the new enclosures could be subdivided into smaller ones should the need arise, but it depended on the size and number of animals.

He added that the new owners would continue the remedial work and with good weather speeding things up the park was likely to be reopened next summer, stating “it was quite a challenge finding builders in the first place but when we got down to the construction process, we found the work was much bigger than expected.

"From our perspective, public safety and the welfare of the cats are our priority so we want to make sure those two things are done to the best of our ability."

Weekes said the park continued to receive good support from locals in Kamo who donated their livestock while the complex was closed.

Once all the remedial work is completed, the owners will need to apply to MPI to resume public tours.

Visit the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Kamowildlifesanctuaryofficial

Image: A lioness rests at the the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary.

3rd February 2012 - OWNERSHIP BATTLE INTENSIFIES AT WHANGEREI’S ZION WILDLIFE GARDENS