A YEAR WITH ZOOS VICTORIA 2015-16 ANNUAL REPORT Our vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. We do this by fighting wildlife extinction. Southern Corroboree Frog • Pseudophryne corroboree 2 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 CONTENTS Chair’s Message 4 CEO’s Message 5 Our Charter and Purpose 6 Fighting Extinction 8 Animals of the Zoo 9 Highlights 2015-16 10 Five Action Areas Conservation 14 Our Animals 20 Visitors and Community 26 Our People 28 Financial Sustainability 30 Organisational Chart 32 Our Workplace Profile 33 Key Performance Indicators 34 Financial Summary 36 Board Attendance 37 Board Profiles 38 Board Committees 40 Corporate Governance and Other Disclosure 41 Our Partners and Supporters 45 Financial Report 49 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 3 CHAIR’S MESSAGE “ We strive to profoundly influence people to take action to save wildlife.” Anne Ward, Chair Zoos Victoria More people than ever before are The Minute to Midnight Gala Ball was visiting our zoos, with record visitation one such occasion where we engaged at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary an audience not traditionally associated and Werribee Open Range Zoo in 2015-16. with the Zoo. The night showcased Zoos And while we continue to attract Victoria, both as a great place to visit more people through our gates, we and one that is committed to saving continue to change and develop to meet wildlife. the expectations of our visitors. 2015-16 On behalf of the Board, staff and was a year of exploration and reflection animals of Zoos Victoria, I would like at our zoos as we embarked on new to acknowledge the many people and ways to foster deeper connections organisations that have helped make between our visitors and our animals. our three zoos world-leading. Technology is a great enabler in this Particularly, I would like to thank the space and in a world-first, we were able Hon. Lisa Neville for her dedication and to use Xbox Kinect technology to give advocacy for Zoos Victoria and look Melbourne Zoo’s orang-utans greater forward to continuing this strong choice and control over how and when relationship with the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio. they interact with visitors. I would also like to thank Jon Hickman, Zoos around the world are transitioning Mark Powell and Brian Cook for their from passive places people visit, to service on Zoos Victoria’s Board. organisations that can profoundly influence people to take action to save wildlife. Zoos Victoria is at the forefront of this transition and we will continue to engage new audiences and ensure our zoos Anne Ward cater to all ages and demographics on Chair this journey. Zoos Victoria Board 4 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 CEO’S MESSAGE The 2015-16 financial year was one of Following on from the success of our I’m excited by what we have achieved success for Zoos Victoria with a focus 36 LEAN pioneers in 2015-16, more than in 2015-16 and look to the next year with on unlocking our potential, both as an 100 staff have now completed some form excitement and optimism. organisation and individually through of LEAN training. The training provides I would like to thank the Board, our each employee. the tools needed to efficiently and staff, volunteers and many supporters proactively solve problems before they Zoos Victoria continued to deliver for their help in making this year become major issues, encouraging staff strong results both within our zoo walls such a success. and in the wild, with record membership to ‘go see’ and identify the root cause and visitation supporting our work of problems before setting improvement in the recovery of our Fighting measures in place. Extinction species. Recent employee survey results indicate that job satisfaction has increased We have also committed a record Dr Jenny Gray in 2015-16 following this focus on amount of time and finances to our Chief Executive Officer professional development, growing greatest asset – our staff. In supporting Zoos Victoria their development, we are empowering from 73% in 2014-15 to 81.35%. them to play a crucial part in taking The investment in staff has also enabled Zoos Victoria towards our vision of us to continue to deliver outstanding becoming the world’s leading zoo-based results for our threatened species conservation organisation. program. Thanks to their dedication, there are more Helmeted Honeyeaters in the wild than there has been for the past 30 years. There were more Southern Corroboree Frog eggs released to Mt Kosciuszko than ever before. And we now how a vibrant island population of Eastern Barred Bandicoots on Churchill Island, the first step towards taking this species off the extinction list. “ Our organisation has grown, and we’re developing our staff to grow with it.” Dr Jenny Gray, CEO Zoos Victoria ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 5 OUR CHARTER AND PURPOSE Our vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. Our mission is to galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places by: • Opening the door to except ional wildlife encounters that reach beyond the boundaries of our zoos • Leading the way by communicating and demonstrating the role of conservation and research in all that we do • Catalysing action through inspiring experiences that motivate partic ipation leading to conservation and sustainability outcomes 6 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 Manner of Establishment The Zoological Parks • To provide consultancy and advice and Responsible Minister and Gardens Act 1995 services to the public on zoological matters The Zoological Parks and Gardens The ZPGB operates under the Zoological Board (ZPGB) is the governing body Parks and Gardens Act 1995 and is • To provide services and facilities of Victoria’s three great zoos: responsible for the Royal Melbourne for visitors to the zoological parks Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary Zoological Gardens, Healesville Sanctuary and managed land and Werribee Open Range Zoo. and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Zoos • To carry out any other functions Victoria is the trading name for the Established in 1973 as a statutory conferred on it by this or any other Act organisation managed by the Board. authority, the Board role is to protect Duties reserved for the Board include: Functions of the Board as set out and promote the zoos and their roles in the Act, are: • Approval of the strategic direction in conservation, research and education. and vision • To conserve, protect, manage and The Board consists of up to nine members improve the zoological parks • Setting appropriate Board policies appointed by the Governor in Council and managed land and the zoological providing strategic, ethical and on the recommendation of the Minister. collections operational guidance The responsible Ministers during the 2015-16 reporting period were: • To promote and increase public • Approval of annual and corporate plans enjoyment of the zoological collections • the Hon Lisa Neville MP, Minister • Approval of annual financial reports and the zoological parks and for Environment, Climate Change and • Reviewing risks, governance and managed land Water from 1 July 2015 to 22 May 2016; internal controls and • To increase public knowledge and • Reporting to the Minister. awareness of the zoological collections • the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister and the zoological parks through for Energy, Environment and Climate exhibition of the zoological collections, Change from from 23 May 2016 to publications, educational programs, 30 June 2016. advisory services and other activities • To carry out and promote zoological research, the conservation of wildlife and its natural habitats and the maintenance of biodiversity • To advise the Minister on matters relating to the Board’s functions and powers or on any other matter referred to by the Minister ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16 7 FIGHTING EXTINCTION Our Fighting Extinction commitment Melbourne Zoo The oldest zoo in the is to ensure that no native Victorian southern hemisphere. Melbourne Zoo weaves together our terrestrial vertebrate species goes people, visitors and animals to orchestrate a profound experience extinct on our watch. that connects visitors with wildlife and empowers them to help us fight In the last 200 years, 29 Australian extinction – all just minutes from mammal species have become extinct the heart of the city. with many more approaching the brink of extinction. Sadly, this threat of extinction remains a very real and Healesville Sanctuary imminent danger that requires an A destination that celebrates and urgent response. showcases Australian biodiversity. Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Conservation Healesville Sanctuary offers the Master Plan provides a pathway to ultimate Australian wildlife conservation recovery for 20 of Australia’s most experience, surrounded by fauna, flora endangered species. and indigenous culture for a rich understanding of the Australian This plan is enabling practical actions to environment. This is the hub of our help save some of our most endangered fighting extinction activity as we native species from extinction including work with more than 10 breeding and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Baw Baw recovery programs operating from Frog and the Orange-bellied Parrot. this bushland haven. Innovative new programs will ensure species in the wild can prosper, as Werribee Open Range Zoo we work with key partners to develop urgent actions to help give wildlife Joining the African savannah with a future they deserve. the grasslands of Australia. Uniquely located on the banks of the Werribee River, the Werribee Open Range Zoo transports you straight to the wild landscapes of Africa, Australia, America and Asia. From the grasslands of Northern Kenya, to the desert sands of the Sahara and the forests of the Congo, witness herds of zebra, giraffe, ostrich and rhinos grazing on the savannah.