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Safari Park Honored with Top Award for Walkabout Australia Design

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The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has received a top industry award for the outstanding design of its Walkabout Australia exhibit.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recognized the park with its Top Honors award in the Exhibit category.

“Walkabout Australia hits on all of the elements of a successful habitat, beauty, careful thought about animal welfare and husbandry, relevant conservation messaging and visitor experience,” said Sue Chin, chair of the AZA Honors and Awards Committee.

Walkabout Australia takes guests on a backcountry road through four types of Australian habitats: grassland, rain forest, wetlands and desert. Key features include a walk-through habitat where guests can see western gray kangaroos, red-necked wallabies, radjah shelducks, freckled ducks and magpie geese.

Other featured wildlife include southern cassowaries and Matschie’s tree kangaroos .

“We are honored and proud to receive this award from the AZA,” said Lisa Peterson, director of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. “Australia is an extraordinary place, and we are thrilled to have created an authentic, sensory experience that transports our guests into this incredibly diverse and fragile habitat. Not only does Walkabout Australia allow us to connect people to Australia’s fascinating wildlife, but it also adds another dimension to San Diego Zoo Global’s efforts to save endangered species, such as the Matschie’s tree kangaroo.”

The award was announced Sept. 16 at the 2020 Virtual AZA Annual Conference, in a presentation recognizing the achievements of more than 20 AZA member facilities in conservation, education, research, habitat design, marketing, diversity, research and volunteer engagement.

— Staff report

New Walkabout Australia habitat at San Diego Safari Park gets you up close and personal with animals

ESCONDIDO (KGTV)- San Diego Zoo's Safari Park opened their Walkabout Australia habitat Friday to visitors, giving them a unique up close experience.

One of the four areas, called the Grasslands, contains Kangaroos and Wallabies that roam freely alongside visitors. There's a path, but no fences or plexiglass keeping you separated from the animals.

"We have someone upfront to go down the rules of how to act and behave among the animals, and those rules transcend how to act and behave around wildlife whether you're out camping hiking or traveling around anywhere else," Rick Schwartz, San Diego Zoo Global Ambassador said.

Many parents pointed out the marsupials to their children, using this as a learning opportunity,  "it couldn't get any better, this is the best way to read books and come and see animals in person," Victoria Calisch said.

Her three-year-old son Luke said he thought the kangaroos were cool, "I saw a kangaroo but they were not running they were bouncing."

The rules in the habitat: stay on the trail, don't sit down on the path and don't have open food or drink containers. If an animal comes up to you, you can interact with him or her.

"This exhibit space is so huge and it's on a slope so there are plenty of areas for the animals, if they're done being around people you won't even see them," Schwartz said.

This is just one of four new habitats in the Walkabout Australia exhibit. Other animals include the tree kangaroo and sugar gliders.

The zoo is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Memorial Day.

Tickets are $54 for anyone 12 years or older and $44 for kids ages 3-11.

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Walkabout Australia opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park to open new Walkabout Australia exhibit.

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The vastness of rural Australia and its varied habitats — the desert outback, the lush grasslands, the dense forests and the northern rainforests — can’t be known in just a few hours.

But you’ll get a taste of what it’s like at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park ’s new Walkabout Australia attraction, which opens Friday.

Inquisitive kangaroos and energetic wallabies; fearsome megabirds called cassowaries; laughing kookaburras and other native Australian wildlife now live in the habitat.

Encompassing 3.6 acres and costing $17.4 million, Walkabout Australia is located at the base of the trail to Condor Ridge, near Tull Family Tiger Trail . It’s included with admission to the Safari Park, east of Escondido .

As visitors walk the paths to different habitats, the climate changes to match.

The shaded rainforest supports Matschie’s tree kangaroos . Beside living in trees, they’re notable for resembling a cross between a kangaroo and a bear.

These endangered kangaroos are naturally found in a remote corner of Papua New Guinea, which used to be part of the Australian continent.

“There’s only about 2,500 of them left in the world, and there’s only 46 of them in North America as part of the species survival plan,” said Steve Metzler, animal care manager for the Safari Park.

“This habitat is to simulate where they’re from, the higher elevation rainforest of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea,” Metzler said.

“We wanted to make sure we are not only going to be taking great care of them here, but that it’s conducive for the breeding program, so we’re going to make little tree kangaroos for years to come.”

The hot, humid air of the rainforest is replicated using misting devices, which supports the foliage.

Elsewhere in Walkabout Australia, the continent’s other main elements — namely sun, desert and heat — are naturally provided by San Diego’s climate.

These habitats simulate what would otherwise require extensive travel to experience, Metzler said.

“It’s the mixed grasslands and woodlands of Australia, the northern rain forest areas of Australia and then into the deserts of Australia, so you really get a sense of the totality of Australia,” Metzler said.

Buildings and signs built out of weathered wood and corrugated metal mark the habitats, including a veranda and water tank.

Hungry or thirsty? Drop by the Zeust Family Station, a replica of a sheep-shearing shed.

While they enjoy Safari Park fare, visitors can take in the features of a sheep farmer’s life hanging from the walls and ceiling. Even the toilets, or “dunnies,” replicate old outhouses found in the Outback. (With the addition of modern plumbing).

Outside, replicas of old utility poles mark the paths, along with signs appropriate to the regions.

Many of the structures were inspired by the youth of Safari Park architect Robyn Badger, who grew up in the South Australian city of Adelaide.

“I used to take drives with my family when I was younger out in the countryside,” Badger said. “Along the road we’d find tumble-down houses that were from the 1930s or 1800s. The entrance to the kangaroo exhibit is a tumble-down house.

These features were largely manufactured for this purpose, Badger said. The cost of importing actual structures from Australia was prohibitive. The water tank came from a rural part of San Diego County. It was donated by one of the zoo ’s trustees, Judith Wheatley.

In the grassland area, the barriers between people and animals come down. A pathway leads visitors through a lush, green landscape where Western gray kangaroos and red-necked wallabies graze.

It’s the animal’s choice whether to interact. Visitors are asked to remain on the walkway and be quietly observant.

The kangaroos and wallabies are curious about the humans among their midst, Badger said. Keepers have been slowly acclimating the animals to the proximity of people.

“If (visitors are) nice and quiet, the kangaroos may even come up to them, and then you could maybe extend a hand and let them sniff it,” Badger said.

Even amid the din of final construction last week, the animals freely ventured outside, pausing to look at a Union-Tribune photographer and reporter before resuming their browsing.

The cassowaries, giant prehistoric-looking territorial birds, aren’t so approachable. They’re kept in their own enclosures, easily visible but not accessible to visitors.

Like the tree kangaroos, the cassowaries will be allowed to mate as part of a species survival plan.

Guests may also meet “animal ambassadors” taken around by keepers to educate people about the species. These include prickly primitive mammals called echidnas that hatch from eggs; and stubby-legged, muscular wombats. Like the kangaroos and wallabies, wombats are pouched marsupials.

Not only the animals, but the plants are also picked for education. The vegetation in Walkabout Australia includes drought-resistant plants, said John Horne, curator of horticulture at the Safari Park. That’s something Southern California residents might benefit from.

“One huge part of what we’re doing here is trying to teach people about the efforts of water conservation,” Horne said.

“Australia is in a drought. We’re in a drought. We have similar climates. The plants that we’ve selected for this exhibit will do well in homeowners’ yards.”

For those who want to get an even more intimate look, Walkabout Australia offers “Roos & Mates,” a 90-minute safari-style tour led by a guide who will explain the new habitat.

Visitors will be able to explore behind the scenes with keepers, and meet the animal ambassadors, and learn how to help their wild counterparts.

For the price and dates of “Roos & Mates,” and other “Behind the Scenes” attractions, call reservations at 619-718-3000 or book online at sdzsafaripark.org .

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Bradley J. Fikes is The San Diego Union-Tribune’s biotechnology reporter. and covers the San Diego Zoo. He has been covering the industry since 1990, most recently for the North County Times. Other topics he’s covered include health care, water supply and wireless technology. A native San Diegan, Fikes started in journalism at San Diego State University, where he served on the staff of the Daily Aztec student newspaper.

Walkabout Australia at SD Zoo Safari Park (Plus a Discount & contest!)

Walkabout Australia is officially open at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!  We personally love everything the San Diego Zoo Safari Park does to protect animals and educate their visitors.  Walkabout Australia is a perfect addition to such a unique park.

If you are planning a trip to the San Diego area, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a must visit.  Once known as the “Wild Animal Park:, it is world famous for its breeding program, environmental efforts, and the education it provides for guests.

Don’t miss this awesome giveaway hosted by the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!

Instagram Contest

“Share your Walkabout memories on Instagram with #WALKABOUTAUSTRALIA and you’ll automatically be entered to win a Roos & Mates Behind-the-Scenes Safari for four.”

Groupon has a small deal for tickets right now! While I have seen better Groupon deals, I typically have a hard time finding ANY discounts going into Summer. This deal will save you a few dollars over the admission at the park and will also save you time in line. Buy below!

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gl-san-diego-zoo-safari-park-42

Check out Steve the Kookaburra, who cannot wait to meet you in person when you visit Walkabout Australia!

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EPIPHYLLUM TRAIL

Epiphyllums go largely unnoticed during much of the year, when their unassuming, leaf-like stems are biding time and gathering energy. But when spring arrives, an unforgettable show begins! In April and May, these tropical plants burst into their full glory, with large, jewel-toned blossoms that are anything but wallflowers.

Ranging in size from 1 to 12 inches (2 to 30 centimeters) across, the blooms of the “orchid cactus” come in brilliant reds, creamy whites, deep oranges, bold yellows, and tantalizing pinks and purples. Most of them are hybrids, patiently grown and cultivated by avid epiphyllum enthusiasts; but the true species native to Central and South America and Mexico are no less stunning.

Although they are found in tropical jungles, epiphyllums are indeed cactus species that make a living by growing in the forks of trees and in rock crevices, feeding on vegetative matter and capturing moisture from the humid air and frequent rain showers. But as their name suggests, they are epiphytic, living with a host plant without harming it, as opposed to parasitic plants that invade their hosts.

The Safari Park's Epiphyllum Trail, located between Walkabout Australia and Condor Ridge, is a beautiful tribute to these surprising plants. Created by the Park's horticulture team and maintained with the help of dedicated San Diego Epiphyllum Society volunteers, it includes more than 600 of these eye-catching plants, with names like Sparkling Burgundy, Candy Barr, Ice Follies, Obsidian Queen, and Greek god.

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SDZWA Library Mission: To provide outstanding information resources and services to advance knowledge in animal and plant care and conservation, inspire passion for nature, ignite personal responsibility, and strengthen our organization’s capacity to save species worldwide.

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A Down Under blunder mars San Diego Zoo’s Walkabout Australia opening

Maoris are native to New Zealand, not Australia. So residents of both nations were put out of sorts by the inclusion of Maori performers at the opening of Walkabout Australia at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This performance was recorded in a media

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Friday’s opening of Walkabout Australia at San Diego Zoo Safari Park caused many Australians and New Zealanders to erupt in exasperation at a major cultural gaffe.

They objected to the entertainment, which included a group performing Māori dances.

Māori are Polynesian people native to New Zealand. They have no relation to Australia’s aborigines, either ethnically or culturally. And Australia and New Zealand are separated by about 2,000 miles of ocean.

The dance was performed by a non-Māori group, the zoo said, which also offended some.

Media in Australia and New Zealand extensively covered the blunder.

“San Diego Zoo opens Walkabout Australia with Māori dancers, angering two nations,” read the headline in Stuff, a New Zealand publication .

The Safari Park compounded the error in its initial response by saying Māori were native to both nations, according to the media accounts. The zoo later apologized.

“Our sincere apologies. We were given incorrect information,” the West Australian reported the zoo as saying .

The Safari Park issued this statement:

“As part of opening festivities for Walkabout Australia, we previewed our Summer Safari entertainment, which features cultures from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australia.

“In including regional entertainment, we meant no offense and did not mean to imply that Māori are of the aboriginal Australian culture. We have tremendous respect for the peoples, wildlife, and culture of Australasia. Our apologies to anyone who might have been offended by our entertainment selection.”

Commenters on the Safari Park’s Facebook page expressed their displeasure forcefully.

Some took issue with the performers doing Māori dances.

“No self-respecting Māori would have ever done this especially not to their Aboriginal neighbours,” wrote Grace Wickham.

“I don’t believe they were actually Māori because from the short clip I saw they had no idea what they were saying and doing,” Wickham wrote. “I’m disgusted as a Māori.”

Sam Cook said she would have liked to see the Safari Park reach out to native Australians in Southern California.

“You literally have Aboriginal Australian people living IN San Diego AND Los Angeles,” wrote Cook, whose Facebook profile indicates she lives in Los Angeles. “Be great to contact some of us to assist with your cultural competency.”

Facebook user Stephen Healion used the faux pas as proof of American stupidity.

“Oh dear, your opening ceremony using Māori dancers confirms what all thinking people outside the US know about the US, your people are so insular in their outlook, so uneducated about the rest of the world, so inward looking that the rest of the world is astounded at the level of ignorance of the US populace in general,” Healion wrote.

Other critics laughed.

“Need some Canadian flags around the zoo, eh?” said Grant Et Nicola Dobson.

“I’d like to come visit your park,” said Aussie Nicole Goodfellow. “What’s the nearest Canadian airport, please?”

Fellow Kiwi Tim Cossens was kinder, combining chiding with sympathy.

“I know all Yanks aren’t dumb, and we’re still 100% your ANZUS Allies ... but crikey you give us a hard go of it sometimes,” Cossens said.

“Sincerely, Your mates in the Antipodes (You’re probably wondering what that word above means.............hmm).”

Antipodes refers to the region of Australia and New Zealand. ANZUS is an acronym for the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty.

Encompassing 3.6 acres and costing $17.4 million, Walkabout Australia is located at the base of the trail to Condor Ridge, near Tull Family Tiger Trail . It’s included with admission to the Safari Park, east of Escondido.

8:10 a.m. May 31: This article was updated to include a video of performers enacting a Māori dance.

This article was originally published at 7:05 p.m. May 30.

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