A YEAR WITH 2016 -17 ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS

Chair’s Message 4

As a world CEO’s Message 5 leading Our Charter and Purpose 6 Fighting Extinction 8 -based Animals of the Zoos 9 Highlights 2016–17 10

Our Five Action Areas 12 conservation Key Action Area 1 – Conservation 14 Key Action Area 2 – Our Animals 20 Key Action Area 3 – Visitors and Community 24 organisation, Key Action Area 4 – Our People 26 Key Action Area 5 – Financial Sustainability 28 we will Organisational Chart 30 Our Workplace Profile 31 secure a Key Performance Indicators 32 Financial Summary 34 future rich Board Attendance 35 Board Profiles 36 in wildlife. Board Committees 38 Corporate Governance and Other Disclosure 39

Corporate Partners and Supporters 43

Financial Report 47

2 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 3 CHAIR’S MESSAGE CEO’S MESSAGE

Over the course of the year our This year, we’ve adapted the LEAN commitment to animal preservation has principles to inform a visitor experience yielded many significant and tangible mapping project, which aims to assess results. The Balls Pyramid expedition and improve the visitor experience. successfully collected ‘Vanessa’ the The success of programs such as Lord Howe Island Stick Insect who will this convert into a substantial and play an essential role in the breeding demonstrable result, for example our “ Fighting extinction lies at the core program for the recovery of the species, Zoos Victoria Member­ship Program of everything Zoos Victoria, our long believed to be extinct. growing by 9% in this financial year. Zoo and Werribee Open Our achievements during 2016–17 visitors and our members stand for: Range Zoo have enjoyed recent success, would not be possible without the with animals from their captive breeding passion of our valued workforce and creating a future rich in wildlife.” program for Eastern Barred Bandicoots members who are at the heart of our soon to be released into the wild. This efforts to fight extinction. I am grateful Anne Ward, Chair, Zoos Victoria marks a considerable milestone for the for the outstanding efforts of everyone species with its population anticipated involved with Zoos Victoria and in Zoos Victoria is an iconic Victorian Our three zoos are already amongst Finally, I would like to thank my to double to 2,500. particular I would like to extend my institution. For more than 150 years, the best in the world. We aim to continue Zoos Victoria board colleagues for their thanks to the Board, our staff, Likewise, Zoos Victoria successfully “In 2016-17 we have been connecting people with to improve our zoos with a focus on the guidance and support over the past volunteers and many supporters, located 11 female Baw Baw Frogs in the animals, delighting and inspiring our wellbeing of the animals in our care, using year, especially Sahil Merchant for his whose patronage has contributed to wild. The frogs – who had been elusive Zoos Victoria visitors to care about the amazing animal behavioural science to inform service to Zoos Victoria as a director making this year an unequivocal for six years – now live at Melbourne wildlife with whom we share this planet. exhibit design. Contemporary design since 2013 until his recent retirement success. Zoo’s Baw Baw Bunker; a climate continued to fight principles encourage curiosity and from the Board. Sadly, we are living in a time when controlled shipping container that stimulate natural behaviour, ensuring wildlife extinction species are disappearing from our world replicates their natural alpine habitat. faster than ever. At Zoos Victoria, our animals flourish and our visitors The success of this year is a testament with unwavering we have made a commitment to take continue to be delighted by interactions to the engagement and dedication of action, starting in our own backyard. with our amazing animals. our workforce, who in our monthly staff determination, We have pledged that no Victorian, We cannot do all this alone. I want surveys continue to express a high Dr Jenny Gray terrestrial vertebrate will go extinct on to thank our many supporters, visitors, investing more satisfaction rate of 81%. As always, Chief Executive Officer our watch. We work directly with 21 of members, volunteers and staff who have Anne Ward the safety and wellbeing of our people Zoos Victoria the most critically endangered local joined us in our fight against extinction. than $6 million Chair is paramount. This is why we have species to ensure they survive. We are I thank the Victorian Government Zoos Victoria Board bolstered our commitment to the partnering with the Victorian community for their ongoing commitment to help directly into wildlife Safety Circle Program, which is based to create the world’s most wildlife friendly Zoos Victoria remain a world leader on the principles of respect for people, society. We lead efforts to reduce threats and I extend a special thank you to the conservation commitment to safety and expanding to endangered wildlife, like the Don’t Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio for her tireless work personal responsibility. interventions.” Palm Us Off campaign seeking clear in protecting Victoria’s environment labelling of palm oil on everyday products and especially her leadership for the Last year Zoos Victoria employees Dr Jenny Gray, CEO and the Bubbles Not Balloons program statewide Biodiversity Plan. participated in the LEAN training which highlights the negative impact program, designed to drive continual Zoos Victoria of balloons on marine wildlife. improve ­ment and maximise efficiency.

4 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 5 OUR CHARTER AND PURPOSE

Our vision Governance and legislation The Zoological Parks Since 1973, the three great zoos and Gardens Act 1995 As a world leading zoo-based collectively trading as Zoos Victoria – Under the Act, the Board is guided to: , • Conserve, protect, manage and conservation organisation, we will and – have improve Zoos Victoria; been governed by the Zoological Parks secure a future rich in wildlife. and Gardens Board. The Board’s • Promote and increase public primary role is to protect the zoos whilst enjoyment, knowledge and awareness Our mission promoting research, education and of Zoos Victoria; conservation, and operates under the • Carry out and promote zoological As a world leading zoo-based Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995. research, the conservation of wildlife, Comprising of nine members appointed its natural habitats and the conservation organisation by the Governor in Council, on the maintenance of biodiversity; recommendation of The Minister for • Provide services and facilities for we will secure a future rich Energy, Environment and Climate visitors of Zoos Victoria; Change, The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, • Provide consultancy and advice in wildlife through: the Board is responsible for: services to the public on zoological • Approval of the strategic direction matters; • Innovative, scientifically and vision; • Advise the Minister on matters sound breeding and recovery • Setting appropriate Board policies relating to the Board’s functions providing strategic, ethical and and powers, or on any other matter programs to support critically operational guidance; referred by the Minister and to carry • Approval of annual and corporate out any other functions conferred endangered Victorian, terrestrial, plans; on it by this or any other Act. vertebrate species; • Approval of annual financial reports; • Reviewing risks, governance and •  Partnering with the Victorian internal controls; community to c