‘PUBLIC APPEAL’ FOR NEW ZOO

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33033, 28 September 1972, Page 18

‘PUBLIC APPEAL’ FOR NEW ZOO

A $lOO,OOO public appeal for a fullymoated zoological park at McLean’s Island might be launched early next year, the president of the South Island Zoological Society (Mr A. Johnstone) told the Canterbury Progress League last evening.

Mr Johnstone, with the society’s secretary (Mr N. Jemrnett), spoke on the society’s proposals and hopes, and asked for the league’s support. Mr Johnstone said the large public facilities now being built in Christchurch would not be used by very many; not many people would attend a concert at the Town Hall, and not many would use the Games complex, he said. “A zoological park, on the other hand, would cater for a large percentage of the population, and for visitors.” There was a need to preserve New Zealand fauna— New Zealand had more species of bird on the “endangered - species" list than any other country in the world, said Mr Johnstone. The society had 40 acres at McLean’s Island and there was the possibility of another 120 acres, with even more available. The zoo would use a moat system rather than bars and cages, and would be the only fully-moated park in the Southern Hemisphere—one of

the most expensive but also one of the most humane systems. The society, which had 200 members, had decided that a public appeal would be the best way to raise the initial capital and get the zoo started in time for the Commonwealth Games, he said.