Tiger Island to discontinue human interaction

[rappa]

It’s pretty clear the direction management wants to take the park. And that’s more family thrills and less animal handler skills. 
There is nothing necessarily wrong with that, if they only have so much capability I’d sooner less things done better than a big range half assed. 
I do feel like we’ll see animals phased out over the next several years though, time will tell. 

[New display name]

The crazies will never give up.

But Sea World didn't have to give them ammo.

 

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(Commercial currently running on Instagram)

Edited November 28, 2022 by New display name

[seatfiller]

Does anyone know why Vortex is so loud? I swear Wipeout was never that squeaky

[rappa]

By linking their video you are giving them views and thus promotion…

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

I'd have to go back and check into this, so don't take it as gospel, but I'm pretty sure the Eucalypt plantation is a Land for Wildlife grant property, so just 'deciding' to get rid of the Koalas isn't quite so straightforward as the grant carries certain conditions.

Honestly I could take it or leave it when it comes to the wildlife. Much as it'd be sad to see it go, It isn't what i'd like to see dreamworld be into the future and opens the park way up to additional expansions without having to cut existing products.

[New display name]

13 minutes ago, rappa said:

By linking their video you are giving them views and thus promotion…

Parkz isn't that big.

[Slick]

26 minutes ago, seatfiller said:

Does anyone know why Vortex is so loud? I swear Wipeout was never that squeaky

Wipeout had deafeningly loud gearboxes.

[New display name]

44 minutes ago, DaptoFunlandGuy said:

I'd have to go back and check into this, so don't take it as gospel, but I'm pretty sure the Eucalypt plantation is a Land for Wildlife grant property, so just 'deciding' to get rid of the Koalas isn't quite so straightforward as the grant carries certain conditions.

Fit a couple of coasters at least on that Koala food farm.

 

[seatfiller]

1 hour ago, Slick said:

Wipeout had deafeningly loud gearboxes.

It did, but it didn't squeak as loud as Vortex right? Or was that just drowned out by the gearboxes?

[New display name]

SW has more mice powering their rides.

Wipeout was always noisier straight after its major maintenance.  (and could squeak)

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

20 minutes ago, New display name said:

SW has more mice powering their rides.

Maybe dreamworld should ask them where to put their solar panels?

[New display name]

If you can get past the paywall.

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[Park Addict 93]

 

Quote

 

Dreamworld’s former “tiger king” has expressed dismay at the decision to end direct contact between handlers and tigers at the Gold Coast theme park.

Park owners Ardent Leisure last week announced it was phasing out the interaction – a hugely popular attraction for patrons – on Tiger Island because of “shifting public sentiment” around performing animals.

But Tiger Island founder Patrick Martin-Vegue, who was recently made redundant by Ardent after 27 years in the job, says he’s concerned for the tigers and their handlers, and fears the decision could also harm international tiger conservation efforts.

“The relationship between the tigers and handlers is built from years of effort and positive interaction,” he told The Courier-Mail.

“The tigers and the Tiger Island program are very close to me, and I’m sorry for any opportunity that may not be present with the reduction in their (handlers’) ability to handle the tigers.

“I hope it does not reduce the ability of Dreamworld, through the Dreamworld Wildlife Fund, to raise much-needed funds that are supporting projects in Sumatra and Far Eastern Russia saving the last remaining tigers (in the wild).”

Mr Martin-Vegue added: “There would be a lot of engineering and changes necessary to accommodate the tigers in a non-contact situation at Tiger Island.”

A Dreamworld insider said handlers were reeling at the decision to end contact with the tigers.

“It’s a decision made by people who have no clue or understanding about what they’re doing,” the source said.

“They’ve just caved in to the demands of extreme animal activists.”

Activists have welcomed the decision to end handler contact with tigers and now want the ban extended to “cruel” koala cuddling.

“Koalas are wild animals and not adapted to close contact with humans, with studies telling us they become stressed when even in proximity to humans,” World Animal Protection Australian and New Zealand director Ben Pearson said.

“Forced visitor interactions with an animal like a koala simply adds a layer of cruelty to their life of captivity.”

A world-renowned tiger expert, Mr Martin-Vegue was poached from the US in 1995 to set up Tiger Island, which quickly became one of Queensland’s top tourism drawcards.

His sudden departure has rocked current and former staff amid concerns the theme park is focusing more on its rides than its animal attractions after being slammed by the pandemic and the 2016 Thunder River Rapids ride tragedy in which four tourists died.
 

Dreamworld was recently embroiled in controversy when it was revealed the park’s owners, Ardent Leisure, had “repurposed” almost $3 million in taxpayer funds earmarked for a major koala research facility for its new $32 million Steel Taipan rollercoaster.

Ardent last week unveiled plans to invest $50 million on new attractions at Dreamworld, including a $35 million family rollercoaster called Jungle Rush.

Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australia executive director Nicola Craddock said while recent research showed zoo and aquarium visitors believed animal interactions helped them feel personally connected to a species, her organisation supported Dreamworld‘s decision on tigers.

“Good zoos are constantly evolving to better connect people with nature, promote conservation, and further enhance animal welfare,” she said.

“ZAA supports Dreamworld‘s plans and their ongoing commitment to providing enhanced opportunities for their tigers’ positive welfare.

“Changes to animal care routines do have impact on animals and handlers, and Dreamworld are committed to a carefully planned transition of 12-18 months.

“With their expert animal care team and with the support of external animal training specialists, Dreamworld are dedicated to providing the best possible welfare for their tigers throughout this change.”