General News
9 January, 2025
Back in business: Halls Gap Zoo re-opens after Christmas bushfire closures
Crowdfunding campaign raises $90,000 for Halls Gap Zoo.
After Christmas closures caused by a raging bushfire in the Grampians National Park, Halls Gap Zoo is finally welcoming visitors back.
The zoo, nestled in the shadow of the Grampians, buzzed with activity once more as families strolled past enclosures and animals curiously greeted their returning audience on Tuesday, September 7.
Zoo manager Mark Treweek said its good to have people back.
"Some of the animals definitely miss people," he said.
"It's great to see people coming through and some smiling faces back."
As a tourism business, being shut down over the Christmas period is a big loss for Halls Gap Zoo though.
Mr Treweek said it is likely to take six months for the zoo to recover from the closure.
"Of our annual income, we're probably looking at a 25% loss over this period," he said.
To help the zoo through the closures and recover some of the losses, Mr Treweek launched a GoFundMe for supporters of the zoo to donate, and in two weeks it had received over $90,000.
"That's blowing our minds," said Mr Treweek.
"I can't believe the generosity of people, for that much money to come in.
"It's going to help a hell of a lot to get us through."
"Hopefully now we get some people back, and we can start making up what else we've lost."