Lions 360

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (15:27): On Monday, I had the great opportunity to attend the official opening of the Lions 360 predator experience at Monarto Zoo, and what a predatory experience it was.

Ms Bedford: Did you get in the tunnel?

Mr PEDERICK: I did. I must congratulate Sarah Constructions on their fantastic work and their welding that kept us very safe with the amount of steel in that construction. Walking through the tunnel into the den, where we were surrounded by lions, was both exciting and exhilarating. At the time, we found ourselves in the enclosure with 11 female lions surrounding us. Walking into a pack of lions is not generally listed in the job description—

Ms Chapman: You come in here every day.

Mr PEDERICK: —yes—and goes against all human instincts, but that is what we did. That moment will be one that I and those who attended will remember for many years to come. The lionesses were certainly putting on a show for us, roaring, jumping and taking a great interest in the potential food—I mean, guests—standing below them. I believe that only three took a particular liking to me at the time. To reassure everyone, we all made it out alive and those girls had to stick to their pieces of chicken and beef for lunch, which I was lucky enough to feed to them.

I and all those who will experience Lions 360 would not have had this opportunity were it not for the inspiration of Rodney Fox's shark-diving experience and the vision, commitment and collaboration of Zoos SA to gain funding from ElectraNet and both the state and federal governments. I note that Rodney and his wife were there on the day. The project cost totalled $1.7 million which was made up of $360,000 from the state, $350,000 from the federal government, $720,000 from Zoos SA and $300,000 from ElectraNet. It is expected that the return on this $1.7 million investment will be some $1 million as a minimum into the region annually. Also inside the den is an old Landcruiser which cost $100,000 to be appropriately placed and reinforced—or in other words, lionproofed.

Monarto Zoo is one of the largest open-range zoos in the world, spanning more than 1,500 hectares and providing a place where over 50 exotic breeds of animals, native mammals, birds and reptile species call home. Monarto Zoo is now also home to the only 360° lion experience in Australia. Through the opening of Lions 360, Monarto Zoo expects to attract an additional 3,000 visitors each year. As the member for Hammond, I am honoured and proud to have Monarto Zoo in my electorate. I am equally as proud of Zoos SA, headed by Elaine Bensted, for this achievement.

I know Monarto Zoo has many amazing things yet to come, including safari-style accommodation for all types of sleepers, whether you are a camper, a glamper, a cabin goer or a hotel-style individual. Monarto Zoo plans to have it all. I hope I can continue to support Monarto Zoo as the local member for many years to come and I will eagerly be monitoring its progress into the future, as I know it will be full of excitement and success and hopefully will involve the introduction of elephants sometime soon. Mind you, I think that is at least a $20 million expenditure. Again, I congratulate Elaine Bensted, all those involved with Zoos SA and anyone who has contributed to the opening of Lions 360 and its future success. This project is truly commendable.

In my closing remarks, I never thought I would say that I have seen a lion so close or hear them roar right above me. I take this opportunity to encourage all South Australians and visitors, interstate and overseas, to enter the den of the queens and kings of Africa because it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would also like to acknowledge the success of the Adelaide Zoo at the Tourism SA awards that I attended last Friday night where they won the award for major tourist attraction and the RAA People's Choice Tourism Award. Certainly, both zoos are attracting many people to come to them.

With the opening of other facilities throughout the electorate into the future, including the motorsport park at Tailem Bend, there are so many other things like visiting Monarto Zoo that will tag into the experiences that people can have in my electorate over the next few years. They can head up to the wineries, they can head out to the Mallee, and as I said, they can come to the Lions 360 event and have a truly life-changing experience.