2010 - 2011 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportPresident ReportCEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsConservation ArkVeterinary Conservation ProgramsAssets & InfrastructureAdelaide Zoo, Monarto ZooAnd Warrawong Wildlife SanctuaryGreen TeamWild AfricaOverseas Conservation ToursConservation EducationLibraryInterpretationHistoryThe Animals & HorticultureOverviewLiving CollectionsStatus Of CollectionAppendicesHorticultureWild TimesFinalsPresident’s ReportThe 2010 – 11 Financial Year has been another challengingbut rewarding one. As expected after the initial 12 monthperiod of hype and excitement associated with Pandas,visitation at Adelaide Zoo has plateaud somewhat. Howevervisitation continues at levels well above pre-Pandas – onaverage some 40% above – and we continue to benefitfrom the profile that they deliver. Pleasingly we have seenencouraging growth in visitor numbers at Monarto. Ourattention is turning to Monarto and the tremendousopportunity that it presents; we continue to look at optionsfor its development. And of course some 12 months aftertaking over the operations of Warrawong we are seeing thebenefit of its integration with Zoos SA.The financial position of Zoos SA reflects the strategicinvestment in upgrading facilities at both Adelaide andMonarto over the past three years, a substantial portionof which relates to the new entrance and Panda exhibitat Adelaide Zoo. We are focused on prudent financialmanagement to ensure we can meet our financialcommitments. Our financial position has received muchmedia attention and clearly it has been a significant area offocus as we look to resolve this situation. We have workedclosely with Government and our bank over the past sixmonths. I am pleased to say that our relationship with bothremains positive and we continue to make sound progress inidentifying a path forward.We have written and spoken a number of times about theeconomic impact study undertaken by one of the majorindependent accounting firms to quantify and understandthe economic benefit that Zoos SA brings to the SouthAustralian economy. This study confirmed that Zoos SA hasachieved a leadership position in tourism and conservationin SA and contributed between $75 million and $116 millionin 2010 to the broader economy through such areas asemployment and tourism. Some important extracts fromthis study include:• Zoos SA directly supports over 200 full time jobs and theequivalent of 2,000 full time jobs across South Australia.• The contribution of Panda’s to the state has been $57million in 2010.• Our organisation makes a significant contribution toeducation and social capital of this State.The contribution Zoos SA makes comes at a cost andensuring we receive a fair proportion of these benefits andare able to reinvest in our core values and mission is a keygoal of the Board and the broader organisation.President’s Report– 1 of 2