A funding lifeline for zoos and aquariums "takes the pressure off" the Hall's Gap Zoo, which now "won't need such a big loan to make it through" the coronavirus lockdown.
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Mark Treweek, assistant manager at the zoo, said that the nearly $95 million package would "help a lot ... that and Jobkeeper".
He estimated the Grampians zoo could get up to $100,000 from package, which would go towards covering costs linked to caring for the animals. The centre's biggest expenses are food, utilities and wages.
It was announced on Tuesday that a total of $94.6 million would be provided to pay for the cost of caring for animals in Australian zoos and aquariums and keep operations running until coronavirus restrictions are eased.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the funds would throw a lifeline to attractions that have seen revenue streams dry up during the crisis.
"It's absolutely crucial our iconic zoos and aquariums can still operate on the other side and play a major role in helping our tourism industry to recover from this," he said in a statement.
"We know our world-class zoos and aquariums are major tourism drawcards for many of our major cities and regional centres across Australia, with over 20 million visitors walking through the gates each year.
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"We also shouldn't underestimate the huge positive flow-on effects our zoos and aquariums provide to our economy. They bring thousands of visitors into communities who then spend millions of dollars visiting other attractions, sleeping in our hotels and dining in our restaurants."
Staff at the Halls Gap Zoo were temporarily stood down as virus restrictions rolled out, but once the Jobkeeper programme was announced on March 30, 19 returned.
"We asked staff immediately if they wanted to come back and they were super keen," he said.
Mr Treweek said the zoo had taken out a loan to get them through the next six months, part of which was being used to pay Jobkeeper wages until government money starts to flow in.
He said the closure to visitors had allowed the zoo to carry out maintenance and to build several new playgrounds.
Some of the residents - particularly the encounter animals such as red pandas and giraffes - have noticed the absence of visitors, but their keepers have provided extra one-on-one time to make up for it.
"There's plenty of enrichment for the animals," he said. "They are still cuddly."
The zoo has also kept its fans up-to-date and entertained on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
"We've been doing some Facebook livestreams," Mr Treweek said.
"We had a Burmese python out yesterday. It's been very well received.
"We put a Go-Pro down and the animals come up and put their noses on the camera."
Events on the Facebook and Instagram schedule are red pandas at 12.30pm on May 1, giraffes on May 3 at 1pm and reptiles at 12.30pm on May 7.
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