Taronga Western Plains Zoo CEO Matt Fuller has rejected claims the investigation into the selling of antelope to a member of a shooters’ party was flawed, saying his staff acted appropriately upon initial inquiries.
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In the past three years the zoo sold 24 blackbuck antelope to Dongadale Deer Park and Stud owner Bob McComb, a member of the NSW Shooters’ Party which is currently lobbying for the right to hunt them.
Documents obtained by the NSW Greens under Freedom of Information (FOI) show the zoo made none of the contractual safeguards it claimed to have implemented to protect the 16 blackbuck antelope from being hunted on Bob McComb's proposed game reserve.
Instead, the sale contract stipulated the zoo accepted no responsibility for the animals after they left Dubbo.
NSW environment minister Carmel Tebbutt has demanded a report into the zoo's trade of animals.
And a temporary ban on the zoo selling animals should be made permanent, the NSW Opposition says.
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon blasted zoo staff, saying evidence that the zoo inspected Mr McComb’s deer park, as claimed, was missing in its report.
Mr Fuller yesterday remained adamant the zoo would never sell animals for the purpose of hunting and killing.
“The zoo is at its heart dedicated to animal welfare,” Mr Fuller said. “There is no history of mistreatment of animals that have been transferred from its care.”
But he admitted the zoo had “incorrectly stated” that transaction records included a reference indicating the animals were to be used for breeding purposes only.
“However, that was the purpose of the transaction and zoo staff have reconfirmed this with Dongadale’s proprietor,” he said.
“The zoo is currently not trading animals with any private operators and a review is under way to ensure that all possible measures are taken to ensure the welfare of animals is maintained once they leave the zoo’s direct care.”
The zoo sold 16 blackbuck across the two occasions. The third transfer was an exchange in which Dongadale Deer Park provided the zoo with a male to increase the genetic diversity in the zoo’s herd.
The zoo confirmed its senior veterinarian did visit Dongadale Deer Park and “found that its operations and animal care were satisfactory”, Mr Fuller said.
He disputed media reports the zoo sold the antelope to Mr McComb for less than half their value, saying the prices charged for the animals related to cost recovery and were reviewed from time to time. He said a review occurred after the first transaction and a higher fee was charged.
“Private game reserves are illegal in NSW and the zoo does not swap or exchange animals for the purposes of hunting.”
anna.yeo@ruralpress.com
