Meerkats at Paradise Country

[themagician]

@pin142 you predicted it

The exhibit can be found at the back of the park next to the Dingoes. It isn’t anything special, would’ve been good to see some more rock work or something. Definitely a good addition for the park 

[themagician]

“Mr Randhawa said despite the lockdown, they are still on track to deliver a number of new attractions in the coming months, including a new meerkat exhibit and café at Paradise Country.”

It seems that the current exhibit for the meerkats is only temporary and a new area and cafe are coming

https://www.mygc.com.au/watch-behind-the-scenes-with-village-roadshow-theme-parks-during-lockdown/

[Brad2912]

I think he’s just including the meerkats as part of what has been delivered and is to come. 

[themagician]

That’s what I thought, but he also said this

“We are very, very close to finishing. It will be a brand new, beautiful home for the meerkats… and it will be quite a unique experience for the Gold Coast.”

[joz]

What that sounds like to me is that they might be in a temporary exhibit. This sort of thing happens when you have to take the animals on before the permanent one is finished.

[Park Addict 93]

12 minutes ago, joz said:

What that sounds like to me is that they might be in a temporary exhibit. This sort of thing happens when you have to take the animals on before the permanent one is finished.

Yep they are currently in a temporary exhibit while the main one is being constructed.



Credit to Destination Dad

[themagician]

@Park Addict 93 that could be the cafe they are constructing?

[Inverted]

When staying at Paradise country I did ask what the construction was.   Staff confirmed it was the new meerckat enclose which will also be designed for guest encounters too.   He also said they have other animals coming soon.  With the enclosure the meerkats are currently in, I thought it would suit echidnas.  🤔

 

[taronga]

🤣 "An Authentic Aussie Farm Experience" 🤣

With Marmoset Monkeys (not Australian 🤦🏻‍♂️) and Lemurs (not Australian 🤦‍♂️).

Sounds like it's turning into a zoo 🤷‍♂️.

[themagician]

5 minutes ago, taronga said:

Lemurs (not Australian 🤦‍♂️)

Meerkats  

[Slick]

35 minutes ago, taronga said:

🤣 "An Authentic Aussie Farm Experience" 🤣

With Marmoset Monkeys (not Australian 🤦🏻‍♂️) and Lemurs (not Australian 🤦‍♂️).

Sounds like it's turning into a zoo 🤷‍♂️.

I’d be okay with that, tbh. 

[themagician]

@taronga the same could be said for Australia Zoo. They have got plenty of animals that aren’t Australian

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

10 hours ago, Slick said:

I’d be okay with that, tbh. 

It always blows my mind, having grown up in Sydney, with direct access to Taronga Zoo, and a short drive out to Western Plains Zoo, and visiting family in Canberra and going to the Canberra Zoo, just how lacking we are in SEQ.

Alma Park zoo closed. Lone Pine - whilst it does have a number of exhibits considers itself a koala sanctuary first and foremost, Australia Zoo is... unique.

I mean heck - 2 years ago Sydney opened a THIRD zoo in Western Sydney - about the same size as Alma Park zoo and we can't even find 40 acres for Alma Park Zoo to rebuild!

[taronga]

On 18/08/2021 at 8:38 PM, themagician said:

Meerkats  

Thank you for correcting me 👍.

I don't know why I was thinking of Lemurs when I posted. But Meerkats (not Australian).

Edited August 19, 2021 by taronga

[VikingsRevenge]

On 19/08/2021 at 7:23 AM, DaptoFunlandGuy said:

It always blows my mind, having grown up in Sydney, with direct access to Taronga Zoo, and a short drive out to Western Plains Zoo, and visiting family in Canberra and going to the Canberra Zoo, just how lacking we are in SEQ.

Alma Park zoo closed. Lone Pine - whilst it does have a number of exhibits considers itself a koala sanctuary first and foremost, Australia Zoo is... unique.

I mean heck - 2 years ago Sydney opened a THIRD zoo in Western Sydney - about the same size as Alma Park zoo and we can't even find 40 acres for Alma Park Zoo to rebuild!

It is strange that Queensland has never had a government owned or funded zoo. There are a few privately owned zoos within a few hours drive that punch above their weight. Both Wildlife HQ at the Big Pineapple and Darling Downs Zoo have a wider variety of exotic animals than Australia Zoo. Unfortunately, they don’t have the budget for marketing or for immersive exhibits, however, given the scale of these zoos, they sure do put in the effort to continually upgrade their facilities.

I’m all for Paradise Country becoming a zoo, as the whole Australian farm experience doesn’t really appeal to me. They could begin by holding more native species (echidnas, quokkas etc.) and then move onto adding more exotics. Species like capybara, tamarins would be on top of the list if I was in charge. 

[jjuttp]

16 hours ago, VikingsRevenge said:

It is strange that Queensland has never had a government owned or funded zoo.

But they do have a wildlife park in David Fleay's.

[themagician]

Encounters, new exhibit and cafe coming soon

[Brad2912]

The burrow and new exhibit space opened today. Photos courtesy of VRTP C&E

 

 

[westical]

On 23/08/2021 at 5:34 PM, VikingsRevenge said:

It is strange that Queensland has never had a government owned or funded zoo.

Rockhampton Zoo says hi. 

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

...not a bad little zoo either. quite a nice little collection, if somewhat limited.

[westical]

It’s definitely worth the entry price. 

[sansborgor]

The Workshops Rail Museum could count as a government-funded zoo if you count the crack addicts that hang around there

[themagician]

The new meerkats exhibit has been really well done. And is split across three levels. The new cafe is a nice setup too