Wanneroo Lion Park
Wanneroo Lion Park, formerly Bullen's African Lion Safari Park, was an open-range zoo in Carabooda, in the north of Perth, Western Australia.[1] It operated for 17 years, between 1971 and 1988.[2]
The park was opened on 21 August 1971
The safari raised money for the Lions Club of Wanneroo, and lion cubs would appear on Telethon.[1] Lion cubs were also sent to appear in events in regional areas, such as the 1976 FeNaCl Festival in Dampier, where two cubs were inducted into the Dampier Lions Club, becoming the first female members.[5]
The park received much media attention, especially following incidents of injuries and reported escapes of lions.
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In 2014 the City of Wanneroo's Regional Museum collected stories and materials related to the park, including making two oral history recordings of former park workers John and Fran Gilbertson, and Marion Colmer.[1]
As of January 2024[update], Wanneroo Lion Park is the only open-range zoo to have operated in Western Australia.[4] A new venture was considered in 2011,[8] and premier Colin Barnett planned for Perth Zoo to operate a new open-range venue in the Perth Hills,[9] but that plan was abandoned following the change in government at the 2017 state election.[4] However this did not eventuate.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Memories of Bullen's lion park". Community News Group. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ a b Poloni, Gian De (23 December 2018). "Perth's past pleasures an eclectic mix of thrills and spills". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ a b c City of Wanneroo Libraries (2014). "Bullen's African Lion Safari Park: Archive 19". City of Wanneroo. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Poloni, Gian De (7 December 2018). "Remembering Perth's wildly popular African safari park, where lions stalked the family car". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
- ^ "FENACL IN FOCUS". Hamersley News. Western Australia. 5 August 1976. p. 11. Retrieved 14 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Man dies after mauling, drug reaction". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 13 September 1971. p. 6. Retrieved 15 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "LIONS ESCAPE, KILL GOATS, HURT DONKEY". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 7 June 1977. p. 7. Retrieved 14 January 2020 – via Trove.
- ^ "Animal attraction must be unique". The West Australian. 5 January 2011.
- ^ O'Connor, Andrew (2 November 2016). "Chittering Valley chosen for new WA open range zoo". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 January 2020.