Potential Profit In Newtown Zoo

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 13

Potential Profit In Newtown Zoo

ti “The Press” Special Service 1 WELLINGTON. April 6. ’ I Newtown Zoo could become ’| a real asset to Wellington •; and a money-spinner for the ' ( City Council, according to the jSan Diego zoo designer, Mr t; Charles Faust. • ! Mr Faust has been in Wel- ■! lington for the last week at ' I the invitation of the City Council. He will spend another fortnight studying the ■ zoo layout j He said yesterday that he . had been impressed by the zoo and its enormous poten- ! tial. The number and variety ) of animals were on a par with ( any zoo of comparable size in , the United States. Although the zoo looked old, its grounds were beauti- ■ ful and ideal for development of the non-cage system. “Zoos don’t have to be smelly and offensive places—not that I'm saying yours is,” he said. “But by opening it up and making it more attractive to the public it can be made a paying concern.” Self-supporting For example, the San Diego zoo—which used most modern design techniques—was * entirely self-supporting. All , profits were ploughed back into the zoo.

“Hot dog” stands, rides and other facilities brought in 40 per cent of its income, he said. All children under 16 were admitted free. “And we don’t quibble about their age.” Mr Faust said he would recommend to the council a system of open enclosures surrounded by moats. The animals were far happier in this environment than in cages and could be seen to better advantage. No animal had been known to escape from these enclosures. The moats were shaped so that if an animal fell in it could get back out only on its own side. These moats were usually up to 13ft deep for dangerous animals such as lions and bears. Mr Faust showed city councillors photographs and drawings of some aspects of the San Diego Zoo which could be put into practice in Wellington.