The public will soon be able to see the big cats live at Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Photo / Supplied
The public will soon be able to see the big cats live at Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Photo / Supplied
After a prolonged closure, the home of big cats in Whangārei is opening before Christmas after the Ministry of Primary Industries granted operators conditional approval to welcome the public.
MPI approved all licences on Friday last week to the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary and operators expect the opening day to bein the first weeks of December following completion of smaller works.
"I'm beside myself with joy, absolutely rapt," sanctuary operator Janette Vallance said. "It's the culmination of four years of work, and a close to $10 million funding operation since 2016 for Bolton Equities, so we're extremely happy."
Since 2013, the park has been unable to open to the public as it had frequently been asked to upgrade facilities, build significant new containment facilities, provide all that is required for animal welfare and maintain staffing at a level that can sustain public access.
Big Cats Ltd operates the park and money for operational expenses and asset investment comes from Bolton Equities.
Vallance said cosmetic work around footpaths, signage, and entrance enhancement were still required to be completed before bookings could be made.
"Initially, we will manage bookings by capping the number of visitors. This is to ensure the big cats, which haven't been exposed to visitors for a number of years, do not suffer undue stress. Bookings will only be available online initially and it will be announced when our system opens to accept them."
Vallance said the park was now offering opportunities for people keen to volunteer as her staff had fielded inquiries from prospective volunteers over the years.
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary operations director Janette Vallance is rapt MPI has given approval for the park to open.
Photo / Michael Cunningham
Volunteers are needed on the ground, around the public, helping out with information, and direction.
An orientation programme will be organised for those chosen to volunteer.
She couldn't specify the number of volunteers the park needed, saying it all came down to the expressions of interest.
MPI deputy director general Vince Arbuckle said the ministry has assessed the facility and its operations as compliant with the requirements of the Zoo Containment Standard and the Biosecurity Act.
"We have now granted conditional approval to Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary to operate as a containment facility. This means that they will now be able to open the park to the public.
"We have required some conditions to ensure the sanctuary can open in a safe way for the animals, the staff onsite and the public, especially given its past history. MPI will continue to actively monitor the situation, with the welfare and safety of the animals as a top priority."
Cleo will be one of the many attractions at the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary when it opens to the public.
Photo / Supplied
The sanctuary houses nine African lions, six Barbary lions (extinct in the wild), three Bengal tigers, a cheetah (oldest in the country) and a leopard (only one in New Zealand).
Last month, frustrated park operators voiced concern about the animals as they waited for approval from MPI and feared most would have to be euthanised if they did not get permission to open.
MPI received a newly-revised application for facility operator approval in August and was waiting on the information needed to assess the containment facility application.
Those wishing to volunteer can register their interest at office@bigcats.co.nz.
Updates on the opening date, ticket prices, and other relevant information will appear regularly on Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary's Facebook page and website www.bigcats.co.nz.
