Joy as animals thrown lifeline

THE plight of thousands of animals that bring so much joy to many tourists and visitors have been saved by a Federal Government funding package.

The Cairns Aquarium as well as other zoos and wildlife attractions will share in $94.6 million to keep feeding and caring for the animals as well as other operational costs until the region recovers from the COVID19 crisis.

The aquarium as well as Birdworld Kuranda, Rainforestation Nature Park, Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome, Daintree Wild Zoo, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Wildlife Habitat will all benefit.

Their income streams have dried up during the pandemic and some were facing the possibility of having to release some of the animals into the wild, or worse, destroy them.

The lifeline will also prepare them for when holiday-makers return to the region for much-needed rest and recreation.

First it will be Australians, aiming to take a week or two away from the colder southern climes during the winter, then New Zealanders, who are expected to be the first international visitors to holiday in Australia and the Far North when borders reopen.

The wildlife attractions will play an important part in drawing travellers to the Far North and must be ready to open straight away.

For aquarium co-owner and chief executive Daniel Leipnik it’s a lifesaver, as he was getting to the stage of having to release some exhibits back into the wild. He hopes the funding will enable the aquarium to ride out the pandemic for six months.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has championed the businesses as he understands how critical they are to the recovery of tourism. Nick Dalton Deputy editor