2016-17 A YEAR WITH ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUALZOOS REPORT ZOOS VICTORIA 2016 -17 ANNUAL REPORT Melbourne Zoo © State of Victoria, Zoos Victoria PO Box 74 2017. This publication is copyright. Parkville Victoria 3052 No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with Elliott Avenue the provisions of the Copyright Parkville Victoria Act 1968. Tel: 61 3 9285 9300 ISSN 1838-3645 Fax: 61 3 9285 9350 Photography: Healesville Sanctuary Gemma Ortlipp PO Box 248 Sarah Summers Healesville Victoria 3777 Rick Hammond Badger Creek Road Printed on 100% recycled paper Healesville Victoria Tel: 61 3 5957 2800 Fax: 61 3 5957 2870 Werribee Open Range Zoo PO Box 460 Werribee Victoria 3030 K Road Werribee Victoria Tel: 61 3 9731 9600 Fax: 61 3 9731 9644 Zoos Victoria PO Box 74 Parkville Victoria 3052 Elliott Avenue Parkville Victoria Tel: 61 3 9285 9300 Fax: 61 3 9285 9330 Email: [email protected] ABN 96 913 959 053 www.zoo.org.au ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17_COVER_7mmSPINE_AW.indd 1 19/09/2017 1:50 PM As a world leading zoo-based conservation organisation, we will secure a future rich in wildlife. ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17_COVER_7mmSPINE_AW.indd 2 19/09/2017 1:50 PM CONTENTS Chair’s Message 4 CEO’s Message 5 Our Charter and Purpose 6 Fighting Extinction 8 Animals of the Zoos 9 Highlights 2016–17 10 Our Five Action Areas 12 Key Action Area 1 – Conservation 14 Key Action Area 2 – Our Animals 20 Key Action Area 3 – Visitors and Community 24 Key Action Area 4 – Our People 26 Key Action Area 5 – Financial Sustainability 28 Organisational Chart 30 Our Workplace Profile 31 Key Performance Indicators 32 Financial Summary 34 Board Attendance 35 Board Profiles 36 Board Committees 38 Corporate Governance and Other Disclosure 39 Corporate Partners and Supporters 43 Financial Report 47 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 1 ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17__TEXT_AW.indd 1 18/09/2017 1:00 PM CHAIR’S MESSAGE “ Fighting extinction lies at the core of everything Zoos Victoria, our visitors and our members stand for: creating a future rich in wildlife.” Anne Ward, Chair, Zoos Victoria Zoos Victoria is an iconic Victorian Our three zoos are already amongst Finally, I would like to thank my institution. For more than 150 years, the best in the world. We aim to continue Zoos Victoria board colleagues for their we have been connecting people with to improve our zoos with a focus on the guidance and support over the past animals, delighting and inspiring our wellbeing of the animals in our care, using year, especially Sahil Merchant for his visitors to care about the amazing animal behavioural science to inform service to Zoos Victoria as a director wildlife with whom we share this planet. exhibit design. Contemporary design since 2013 until his recent retirement Sadly, we are living in a time when principles encourage curiosity and from the Board. species are disappearing from our world stimulate natural behaviour, ensuring faster than ever. At Zoos Victoria, our animals flourish and our visitors we have made a commitment to take continue to be delighted by interactions action, starting in our own backyard. with our amazing animals. We have pledged that no Victorian, We cannot do all this alone. I want terrestrial vertebrate will go extinct on to thank our many supporters, visitors, our watch. We work directly with 21 of members, volunteers and staff who have Anne Ward the most critically endangered local joined us in our fight against extinction. Chair species to ensure they survive. We are I thank the Victorian Government Zoos Victoria Board partnering with the Victorian community for their ongoing commitment to help to create the world’s most wildlife friendly Zoos Victoria remain a world leader society. We lead efforts to reduce threats and I extend a special thank you to the to endangered wildlife, like the Don’t Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio for her tireless work Palm Us Off campaign seeking clear in protecting Victoria’s environment labelling of palm oil on everyday products and especially her leadership for the and the Bubbles Not Balloons program statewide Biodiversity Plan. which highlights the negative impact of balloons on marine wildlife. 4 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17__TEXT_AW.indd 4 18/09/2017 1:00 PM 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 program for the recovery of the species, Zoos Victoria Member ship Program long believed to be extinct. growing by 9% in this financial year. Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Our achievements during 2016–17 Range Zoo have enjoyed recent success, would not be possible without the with animals from their captive breeding passion of our valued workforce and 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 marks a considerable milestone for the for the outstanding efforts of everyone species with its population anticipated involved with Zoos Victoria and in to double to 2,500. particular I would like to extend my Likewise, Zoos Victoria successfully thanks to the Board, our staff, “ In 2016-17 located 11 female Baw Baw Frogs in the volunteers and many supporters, wild. The frogs – who had been elusive whose patronage has contributed to Zoos Victoria for six years – now live at Melbourne making this year an unequivocal Zoo’s Baw Baw Bunker; a climate success. continued to fight controlled shipping container that wildlife extinction replicates their natural alpine habitat. The success of this year is a testament with unwavering to the engagement and dedication of our workforce, who in our monthly staff determination, surveys continue to express a high Dr Jenny Gray investing more satisfaction rate of 81%. As always, Chief Executive Officer the safety and wellbeing of our people Zoos Victoria than $6 million is paramount. This is why we have bolstered our commitment to the directly into wildlife Safety Circle Program, which is based on the principles of respect for people, conservation commitment to safety and expanding personal responsibility. interventions.” Last year Zoos Victoria employees Dr Jenny Gray, CEO participated in the LEAN training program, designed to drive continual Zoos Victoria improve ment and maximise efficiency. ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 5 ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17__TEXT_AW.indd 5 18/09/2017 1:00 PM 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; • Providing profound zoo-based animal encounters to connect people with wildlife; and • Strong commercial approaches to secure financial sustainability. 6 ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17__TEXT_AW.indd 6 18/09/2017 1:00 PM Governance and legislation The Zoological Parks Since 1973, the three great zoos and Gardens Act 1995 collectively trading as Zoos Victoria – Under the Act, the Board is guided to: Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary • Conserve, protect, manage and and Werribee Open Range Zoo – have improve Zoos Victoria; been governed by the Zoological Parks and Gardens Board. The Board’s • Promote and increase public primary role is to protect the zoos whilst enjoyment, knowledge and awareness promoting research, education and of Zoos Victoria; conservation, and operates under the • Carry out and promote zoological Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995. research, the conservation of wildlife, Comprising of nine members appointed its natural habitats and the by the Governor in Council, on the maintenance of biodiversity; recommendation of The Minister for • Provide services and facilities for Energy, Environment and Climate visitors of Zoos Victoria; Change, The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, • Provide consultancy and advice the Board is responsible for: services to the public on zoological • Approval of the strategic direction matters; and vision; • Advise the Minister on matters • Setting appropriate Board policies relating to the Board’s functions providing strategic, ethical and and powers, or on any other matter operational guidance; referred by the Minister and to carry • Approval of annual and corporate out any other functions conferred plans; on it by this or any other Act. • Approval of annual financial reports; • Reviewing risks, governance and internal controls; • Reporting to the Minister. ZOOS VICTORIA ANNUAL REPORT 2016–17 7 ZV_AnnualReport_2016-17__TEXT_AW.indd 7 18/09/2017 1:00 PM FIGHTING EXTINCTION Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) In a significant development to support Melbourne Zoo supporting unique and diverse wildlife delivery of actions in the Wildlife The oldest and most respected urban across Australia are recognised both Conservation Master Plan, Zoos Victoria zoo in the southern hemisphere. locally and with global significance. is delighted to acknowledge the Melbourne Zoo weaves together Despite this, the health and resilience Government’s grant of $1.5 million for our people, visitors and animals of species in Australia have suffered ‘Little Brown Things’. This will significantly to craft a profound experience that significantly since European settlement progress Master Plan priorities for Baw deeply connects visitors with wildlife and as a result 29 mammals, amongst Baw Frog, Alpine She-oak and Guthega and empowers them to join us in other species, have gone extinct.