2017-18 Annual Report

Zoos Victoria Victoria Zoos Annual Report Annual Report 2017—18 Annual Report 2017—18 Big Wins and Brave Things Contents A year in review 5 Our charter and purpose 6 Governance and legislation 7 Action areas in focus 8 Conservation 9 Animals 10 Visitors and community 12 People 14 Financial sustainability 16 Environmental sustainability 17 Carbon emissions 17 Organisational chart 18 Our workplace profile 18 Key performance indicators 19 Financial summary 21 Board attendance 22 Board profiles 23 Board committees 26 Corporate governance and other disclosures 27 Our partners and supporters 34 Financial management compliance statement 38 Financial report 39 ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 3 In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to present Zoos Victoria’s Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2018. Kate Vinot Dr. Jenny Gray Chair CEO Zoos Victoria Zoos Victoria 27th September 2018 ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS 4 BIG WINS AND BRAVE THINGS A year in review Thousands of people enter the Zoos Victoria has changed its The opening of new exhibits remains gates of our three amazing zoos approach to conservation over the to be a highlight of Zoos Victoria’s every day, to see the animals they last five years. Through our research work. The effort invested into love and enjoy quality time with their and programs, we’ve realised the designing new animal facilities is family. Once inside, children squeal incredible power zoos have to considerable and demands a whole- with excitement and anticipation of significantly influence the success of-team approach. The new Kangaroo the marvels ahead as the rainbow and continuation of a species. Our Country at Healesville Sanctuary lorikeets soar above. breeding programs have returned is a playful space that celebrates critically endangered species to the marsupials. Melbourne Zoo’s You can see how thrilled they are to wild. We’ve leveraged partnerships Carnivores’ Trail showcases animal look into the eyes of a magnificent and adopted innovative ideas, like welfare and visitor enjoyment; our animal – a tiger, devil or a lion – as guardian dogs that protect habitats. big cats have adjusted to the space they wonder what the animal is Now, more than ever before, our and can be seen relaxing, swimming thinking and feeling. It’s in this close commitment is unwaveringly and exploring their new homes. company of animals that we pause strong to ensure that “no Victorian to consider the state of the planet We would like to acknowledge terrestrial, vertebrate species will and our role in its future. our amazing Zoos Victoria Board go extinct on our watch”. whose shared vision, passion and In order for us to successfully secure ambitions for wildlife pushes us to a long-term future for wildlife, achieve bold goals, while ensuring there needs to be ongoing change compliance with a steady focus that in human behaviour. The campaign protects the organisation. To the When Balloons Fly, Seabirds Die Board members who’ve reached launched in 2017-18 to educate the end of their terms during the people on the perils of marine 2017-18 period, thank you for your plastic and ask them to make a small significant contributions. Particular change for the wellbeing of sea birds thanks to our outgoing Board Chair, and other marine life. The response Anne Ward. Anne’s passion and was overwhelming with 120,000 leadership have helped steer Zoos individuals and over 180 businesses, Victoria though significant changes local councils, schools and companies and challenges with clarity and focus. pledging to replace balloons with We would also like to welcome Kate bubbles at their next outdoor event. Vinot as the new Chair of Zoos Cat owners are being encouraged Victoria effective from July. to keep their pet safe and happy at Every day we’re grateful for the home while protecting native wildlife dedicated staff and volunteers of with the campaign Safe Cat, Safe Zoos Victoria, without whom we’d Wildlife, developed in collaboration be unable to create the powerful with RSPCA Victoria. experiences that help people fall in Partnerships create a strong sense love with wildlife every day. Thank of solidarity in our vision for a future you for all you do for our animals rich in wildlife. The Zoos Victoria and our visitors. Endowment Fund was established It’s a rare privilege to work with such in 2017-18 to secure future funding amazing people in our joined mission for zoo animals and wildlife, with an to fight extinction. initial, generous donation of $1m over four years from the Bowness Family Together, we can keep empowering Foundation. Others have since our visitors and community to take followed, including $1m from The actions that make a difference to Kenneth and Judith Weeks Big Cat the future of animals. Endowment and $300,000 from the Merrin Foundation. Any untied bequests received by Zoos Victoria will also be directed to the fund. ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 5 Our charter and purpose Our vision As a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation, we will secure a future rich in wildlife. Our mission As a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation we will secure a future rich in wildlife through: • Innovative, scientifically sound breeding and recovery programs to support critically endangered Victorian, terrestrial, vertebrate species; • Partnering with the Victorian community to create the world’s most wildlife friendly society; ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS • Providing profound zoo-based animal encounters to connect people with wildlife; • Strong commercial approaches to secure financial sustainability. 6 BIG WINS AND BRAVE THINGS Governance and legislation Since 1973, the three great zoos THE ZOOLOGICAL PARKS collectively trading as Zoos Victoria AND GARDENS ACT 1995 – Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Under the Act, the Board is guided to: Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo – have been governed by • Conserve, protect, manage and the Zoological Parks and Gardens improve Zoos Victoria; Board. The Board operates under • Promote and increase public the Zoological Parks and Gardens enjoyment, knowledge and Act 1995. The Board’s primary awareness of Zoos Victoria; role is to protect the zoos whilst promoting research, education and • Carry out and promote zoological conservation. research, the conservation of wildlife, its natural habitats and The Board comprises nine members the maintenance of biodiversity; appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation • Provide services and facilities of the Minister. The responsible for visitors of Zoos Victoria; Minister for the period from 1 July • Provide consultancy and 2017 to 30 June 2018 was the Hon advice services to the public Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for on zoological matters; Energy, Environment and Climate Change. The Board is responsible for: • Advise the Minister on matters relating to the Board’s functions • Approval of the strategic and powers, or on any other direction and vision; matter referred by the Minister • Setting appropriate Board and to carry out any other policies providing strategic, functions conferred on it by ethical and operational guidance; this or any other Act. • Approval of annual and corporate plans; • Approval of annual financial reports; • Reviewing risks, governance and internal controls; • Reporting to the Minister. ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18 7 Action areas in focus 2017-18 was a year of big wins and brave things with standout happenings at each of our zoos across all five action areas. These areas underpin all that we do and guide us on our journey as we endeavour to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. 1. Conservation 2. Animals 3. Visitors and community 4. People 5. ZOOS VICTORIA ZOOS Financial sustainability 8 BIG WINS AND BRAVE THINGS 01: Conservation To focus and strengthen the conservation efforts of Zoos Victoria to ensure the delivery of tangible conservation outcomes. 83,679 $10.49 150,000+ hours given by volunteers million invested into conservation individual conservation actions 1.1 Action towards recovering and schools. This partnership 1.8 Wild Orange-bellied Parrots the Eastern Barred Bandicoot with Phillip Island Nature were collected for the first time included the largest ever release Parks asks the community from a breeding site in Tasmania of captive-bred Eastern Barred to reconsider outdoor use for ‘ranching’ over winter at Bandicoots into an unfenced of balloons; one of the top Werribee Open Range Zoo, in an site on Phillip Island in October. three most harmful pollutants effort to improve annual survival. This release is a significant step threatening marine wildlife. They’ll be re-released at the start towards our goal of recovering of the next breeding season in the mainland Eastern Barred 1.5 Seal the Loop – the campaign Tasmania, together with several Bandicoot in the wild. that helps anglers consciously new, captive bred parrots from and responsibly dispose of fishing the breeding program. 1.2 In a world first, Healesville waste – gained a powerful ally Sanctuary successfully bred the and partner in Coastcare Victoria. 1.9 New populations of New critically endangered Guthega Together, we’ll install new fishing Holland Mice were discovered Skink. The team worked tirelessly line bins, and manage and adjacent to known populations, to learn and understand its monitor the 270 new and existing expanding the range of this husbandry requirements along bins across Victoria’s waterways priority threatened species. with that of another endangered to prevent this waste from alpine skink. entangling wildlife. 1.10 A Green Team was established at our sister zoo, Port Moresby 1.3 The Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife 1.6 The 450th school in Victoria was Nature Park, in Papua New conservation campaign launched awarded Fighting Extinction Guinea; the first of its kind in the in collaboration with RSCPA School status, making nearly country. The park reduced its Victoria encouraging cat owners 20% of all Victorian schools now electricity costs by 30% using to join our Safe Cat community a part of the program.

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