Record visitor numbers among milestones reached at Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo has celebrated its 125th anniversary with a record number of visitors.

More than 100,000 people visited the zoo in October, when it marked its 125th anniversary.

About 103,000 visitors came through the gates to enjoy the zoo’s new cafe precinct, playground and function centre, which received $51 million from the State Government.

Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the zoo was now a vibrant hub of activity in the heart of South Perth.

There will be plenty more reasons to visit over summer, with Perth Zoo to host its “Zoocoustics” music nights, Santa’s Cabin and Zoo Year’s Eve events.

The zoo will also stay open until 7.30pm every Saturday in January with live acoustic music each night.

It marked another milestone in November with the completion of the first year of its collaborative workplace program with students from Clontarf Aboriginal College.

Seven students worked alongside the zoo’s experts to obtain a Certificate II qualification in conservation and ecosystems management.

To support their learning journey, each student was assigned a “zoo coach” who provided guidance and mentoring throughout the educational experience.

One of the students is now employed in a casual capacity in the zoo’s education team and two are on track to graduate this year.

This program is a partnership between Perth Zoo, Clontarf Aboriginal College and The Shoreline Foundation.

Mr Whitby said a conservation qualification could open many professional pathways.

“Over the past 12 months, I am told it has been a delight for the Zoo coaches to watch the students ‘come out of their shells’, become more confident and participate in a two-way knowledge exchange,” he said.