Move the Australian Sea Lions 'Ady & Tasko' to a bigger Enclosure

35,134

The issue

At Adelaide Zoo the Australian Sea Lion enclosure is no bigger than a swimming pool. A swimming pool on the other hand is deeper. Australian Sea Lions have been known to dive up to of 275 metres. The pool at Adelaide Zoo is no deeper than 1 metre, so visitors can get a better look at the Sea Lions expense. The size and depth are both inadequate.

A video from 2014 of the Sea Lion Enclosure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUv05k1PsNE ;

Ady was born in Adelaide Zoo in 1997... She, unfortunately, at this stage is likely to die in this extremely poor, confined example of something that we would expect to see in a third world country zoo...

It's a disgrace...

When the current Sea Lions joined Adelaide Zoo in 2009 they posted the video below with this comment: Although the Sea Lion enclosure is not the standard we want, our animals are well cared and enriched. As we move forward, our Sea Lions will either receive a world class exhibit or be moved to an organisation who can provide this. Glen, Director Living Collections. This was 14 years ago. We agree they receive excellent veterinary care, however, they are not receiving the mental stimulation they would get in the wild. They deserve a larger enclosure and would like Adelaide Zoo to honour this statement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvglU_iN7SQ

Facts can be checked here: http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/sealbay/About_Seal_Bay/Australian_sea_lions

Environmental Sustainability Australia is against all animals in captivity for entertainment purposes. Free range Zoos like Monarto Zoo, South Australia, is an example of how a Zoo should be managed not only in Australia but worldwide. We commend Zoos SA plan to move some of the animals in Adelaide Zoo to Monarto Zoo. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/lions-giraffes-likely-to-leave-adelaide-zoo-and-move-to-monarto-in-major-shakeup-of-animal-attractions/story-fni6uo1m-1226878224915

*All videos and photographs have been sourced online. The individuals who have published these images or videos online are not associated with Environmental Sustainability Australia.

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Environmental Sustainability AustraliaPetition starterTrying to make Australia a better place for Animals and the Environment in which they live.

The Decision Makers

Elaine Bensted
Elaine Bensted
Zoos SA Chief Executive
Responded
“As a conservation charity, our number one priority is the welfare of our animals. As a leader in animal welfare, we are continually striving to improve our animals’ habitats and we have been very open about the fact Seal Bay at Adelaide Zoo needs improvement. Ady and Tasko are much-loved members of our zoo family, but the reality is as much as we would love to, we don’t have the physical space required to build them a new facility here at Adelaide Zoo. That’s why we announced as part of our 20-year Master Plan we would move away from housing large marine mammals at Adelaide Zoo and would relocate Ady and Tasko to a suitable new home. This search has been underway for a number of years, but to date a reputable new home has not been found. This is expected to take some time because at this stage no other Australian facility has confirmed they have room for our beautiful duo. Born in captivity, Ady and Tasko are not able to be released to the wild. While we are still actively searching for a new home for Ady and Tasko, they both receive lots of extra love and care from their keepers to ensure they have a regular schedule of stimulating enrichment that helps maintain their physical and mental wellbeing. From engaging training sessions with their keepers to seafood hidden in ice blocks, our Australian Sea Lions are given a variety of toys and props to engage with. Our keepers also feed Ady and Tasko a variety of fresh seafood to encourage natural feeding behaviours. Our keeping team and the whole Adelaide Zoo family absolutely adore Ady and Tasko and will continue to provide them mental and physical stimulation that encourages species appropriate behaviour until a new home is found. Adelaide Zoo has a proven track record of providing excellent husbandry and veterinary care, and houses many species that have well outlived their normal life expectancy due to the stellar care that is provided by our dedicated and skilled team. Both Adelaide and Monarto Zoo have experienced significant development over the last 10 years and with our 20-year Master Plan in place, we will continue to grow and develop both sites, with modern animal welfare at the forefront of everything we do. As part of our Master Plan, a new proposed Tropical North precinct will be built in this area, which will include an underwater viewing area for crocodiles and fish, an amphitheatre for interactive animal presentations and a tree kangaroo and cassowary habitat. This is all part of our commitment to housing that promotes good welfare to all animals in our care, and is consistent with our track record of providing excellent husbandry and veterinary management.”
Elaine Bensted (Chief Executive)
Elaine Bensted (Chief Executive)
Chief Executive
Adelaide Zoo (Public Relations)
Adelaide Zoo (Public Relations)
Public Relations
Zoos SA
Zoos SA
Peter Malinauskas
Peter Malinauskas
SA Premier

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Petition created on 18 February 2015