Wednesday, June 28, 2006

ICU Makes Red Panda Exhibit a Reality

Symbio Wildlife Park has entered into a business partnership with the Illawarra Credit Union that will see the construction of a new exhibit at the Park.

Symbio will welcome two ENDANGERED Red Pandas in the spring and Symbio Managing Director, John Radnidge said construction is about to begin on their new home, which will display the Red Pandas’ naturalistic environment.

“We will build a beautiful new home for the Pandas, with plenty of open space, shrubs and trees, and in keeping with our interactive reputation, we will allow visitors to get up as close and as personal as possible with the Pandas,” John said.

“The Red Panda was first discovered in 1821, 48 years before Giant Pandas were found in 1869. The Red Panda is China’s original panda and Symbio is contributing to worldwide conservation efforts to save this endangered species by cooperating with and supporting international, national and regional programs to ensure its survival,” he said.
“This is obviously a very important project for us and a further important development of our conservation strategies.

“Red Pandas eat an average of 200,000 bamboo leaves each every day, so we will be launching a community appeal to identify and source future food supplies,” he said.
Symbio has recently expanded beyond its traditional focus on Australian native wildlife, with the addition of six meerkats earlier this year, as well as American alligators and red tailed boa constrictors from southern America, Mexico and Argentina.

“Tourists love to see our Australian animals and farmyard favourites but the meerkats have been a big hit with tourists and locals alike, and we are sure the Red Pandas will be a real draw card as well,” John said.

“Symbio is looking to further expand the exotic species at the Park as we bring the wildlife of the world to Wollongong,” he said.

“Symbio is proudly Wollongong’s own Zoo and we are very excited about this partnership with the Illawarra Credit Union,” John said. “It is our first major sponsorship and is a significant milestone for us.

“The relationship between the ICU and Symbio will allow for further expansion of the Park and will extend our scope into the future.” he said.