Alma Park Zoo, my favourite zoo, is closing its doors at its Dakabin site at the end of March after 45 years. I first visited Alma Park back when I was six - my first school excursion, the second time in my life I'd been on a bus and the first time I'd even seen a zoo. Back then, it was in the middle of nowhere and we've watched the relentless march of housing estates towards the zoo, such that now the site is surrounded on all sides by suburbs. While I recognise the need for development, I am very saddened by the loss of what I consider a hidden treasure in Brisbane. The zoo is not closing completely, the animals will be temporarily housed off-view until it reopens on a new site that is closer to my existing house. Sadly, big beautiful trees like this one above are going to be bulldozed to make way for houses. To me, the shady avenues and tropical gardens were what made Alma Park that much more special. Some highlights of our last visit were the monkeys (always a favourite), the koalas and a pea-hen with a tiny chick - not inside the barriers - but hidden in the garden bed right next to the path. Most people missed this special little family, but it made me smile. She was definitely doing things her way, that mother. I also love the farmyard section and made friends with a very cute, very food fixated jersey calf. She had figured out how the system worked and was busy hitting up anyone with a little white packet of zoo pellets
I can't wait until Alma Park reopens at its new home in Logan.
Anita Joy
25/3/2014 07:37:26 am
Our fave as well, Fiona. We knew it was going to be closing, but how sad we won't be getting back to it before it does.Heckle and Jeckle and their cousins love Alma Park too.
Fiona Greene
25/3/2014 08:12:23 am
Anita, It was such a bittersweet visit. Parked off behind the fencing (but visible if you looked) were the bulldozers. I really feel for the animals and the staff and the volunteers. I am looking forward to seeing what the owners create down at Logan.
Fiona Greene
25/3/2014 10:55:59 am
Anita, great news. The zoo has just announced its temporary location during construction is the big pineapple site - Queensland Zoo! So your heckle and jeckle will be able to visit when they come up this way.
Anita Joy
25/3/2014 11:50:49 pm
Yay!! Comments are closed.
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Fiona Greene AuthorWhen you set out on a journey and night falls, that's when you will discover the stars." Archives
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