29 June 2009

Werribee Open Range Zoo has officially opened its exciting new winter exhibit, Smugglers Beware.

State Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water, Michael Crutchfield, joined Zoo Director, Sally Lewis, at a special event to launch the 'limited time only' winter attraction.

Mr Crutchfield said the indoor exhibit was a fun, educational and interactive experience that focused on the widespread, cruel and destructive wildlife smuggling trade.

'The display features many exotic and endangered animals often involved in wildlife smuggling and also many prohibited items seized by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service,' he said.

As you enter the exhibit, you pass through a Customs checkpoint and begin a journey through the dangerous world of smuggling operations.

Daily re-enactments bring to life the plight of these smuggled animals and the potential environmental impacts.

Werribee Open Range Zoo Director, Sally Lewis, said the Zoo was joining the fight to stop this highly lucrative global black market trade.

'This exhibit will highlight the seriousness of wildlife smuggling and inform visitors about what simple actions they can take to help tackle the problem,' Ms Lewis said.

'We want to help people understand the full ramifications of wildife smuggling on the environment and how it can lead to the extinction of our most precious animals and cause massive devastation to the environment.

'As leaders in wildlife conservation, Zoos Victoria is in a unique position to inspire our visitors to take action to protect our flora and fauna.

'We hope this fascinating new exhibit will encourage people to join us in this important campaign.'

Smugglers Beware runs until October 4 and entry is included in the general admission price.

		Media release - final.pdf Media release - final.pdf  ( 78 KB )