The first animals at the private facility in far north WA will be two Sumatran tigers once owned by the original Tiger King, Joe Exotic.
The 350-hectare facility in Kununurra, to be called Kimberley Zoo, and pictured above for the first time in an artist’s impression, won’t be open to the public.
It has six staff and will ultimately have 11 animals this year, including the tigers, along with water buffalo, zebras and various birds.
Staff will record the animals’ DNA and take part in breeding programs with other zoos around the world.
Sam, 30, the son of former WA premier Colin Barnett, is planning to relocate to the US once travel restrictions ease.
He is working with an investor from Florida to make his dream a reality – and it isn’t Carole Baskin, who appears in the Netflix series Tiger King.
Speaking exclusively to New Idea, Sam says: “The best-case scenario is we open on July 28. The tigers will soon go to quarantine in Queensland, then get transported to another facility in WA before getting to our zoo.”
This story is from the July 20, 2020 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 20, 2020 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Journey to JAKARTA
EMBARK ON A VIBRANT FAMILY ADVENTURE WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
HELEN'S BOLDEST ROLE YET ITS TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP
THE ACTRESS DRASTICALLY TRANSFORMS FOR HER NEW FILM
STARRY SISTERHOOD FIRM FRIENDS then & now!
RITA, DEMI AND MELANIE ARE STILL THICK AS THIEVES
Celebrating THE MAGIC OF MR SQUIGGLE!
A NEW EXHIBIT HONOURS THE TREASURED PENCIL-NOSED MARIONETTE
ELVIS 'LOVE CHILD' blindsides Priscilla!
HER SHOCK MEETING WITH AN UNWELCOME GUEST
CHRISTIE HAYES ISTILL FEEL LUCKY'
THE STAR OPENS UP ABOUT A DIFFICULT TIME
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON with Hugh?
THE AUSSIE STAR HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME
NURSING IS IN OUR BLOOD!'
SAVING LIVES IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THESE WOMEN
PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL!
WILL A FARMER BE HEARING THE PATTER OF BABY FEET?
Eugenie & Jack CRACKS ARE SHOWING!
THE HOMESICK PRINCESS WANTS TO BE CLOSER TO HER UK FAMILY