Support for Elephant import

The first visit to Dubbo’s Western Plains Zoo in 5 years. We cycled of course, the best way to see all the animals (tip for riders – BYO bike – the lack of gears and back peddle breaks were a killer). Only five cyclists the whole day!

Highlight without question the Elephants including the two Asian Elephants from sister zoo Taronga in Sydney. They looked pretty happy with their huge natural environment including acres of land, trees for ripping apart and in ground swimming pools! Note African Elephants pictured from my visit.

I congratulate the Liberal Federal Environment Minister Ian Campbell for last week finally approving the importation of endangered Asian Elephants for Taronga Zoo.

The efforts of Greens groups and surprisingly the RSPCA to prevent the importation and now to gain a court injunction to stop the import are misguided and way out of step with community attitudes and thinking. Modern zoos like the world leading Taronga and Western Plains play a major role in breeding programs to assist endangered species. The success of Western plains with the endangered Black Rhinoceros is an important but not the only example.

Breeding programs are important for maintaining genetic biodiversity. They are also critical for community eco-conservation awareness and education. The Greens and RSPCA are wasting our money in huge delay related costs and now court cases, and losing critical community support.