Allegations of serious animal welfare concerns at two New South Wales zoos have been dismissed by government officials, leading an activist Member of Parliament to demand greater accountability. Families who raised concerns say they were ignored, while official documents indicate that numerous complaints filed between 2023 and 2025 were closed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI).
Among the most serious allegations were claims of malnourished animals housed in small enclosures, koalas being removed from trees for paid photographs, and a child being bitten by a rat. One family detailed seeing a wombat that appeared depressed, an emu with a bleeding wound, and dingoes kept in small cages without adequate provisions. Despite these claims, a DPI inspector reportedly closed one complaint stating that a visit three weeks prior found no welfare issues. Another complaint, alleging a rat infestation and rodents found in kangaroos' food bins, was dismissed by an inspector as "false and exaggerated."
NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst has described the DPI's handling of these complaints as a "major red flag" and a "complete and utter failure within the department." Hurst questions whether the current complaint system is effective and if the regulator is fulfilling its duties, particularly when allegations are dismissed based on observations made before the complaint was even lodged. "Is the Department suggesting that these people are all wrong or that they are lying?" Hurst stated, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Hurst further expressed concern over a "major conflict of interest" within the DPI, which regulates zoos under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986. She is calling for an independent body to investigate these facilities, emphasizing that complaints originating from the public and zoo staff should be taken seriously. "I have a deep concern whether the department is capable of enforcing standards around how these animals are being kept, when the cases continue to be closed and the complaints continue to come in," she added.
A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development confirmed that 11 complaints regarding the two zoos have been received since 2020. The department stated that all complaints were assessed and investigated by authorised officers, including inspections where appropriate, and none were substantiated. The spokesperson also noted that no regulatory action, such as fines or warnings, was issued in relation to these matters. Inspections, they added, are typically conducted without prior notice.
The Daily Mail has reportedly contacted the zoos for comment. The specific zoos involved cannot be named for legal reasons. Hurst’s push for an independent review highlights ongoing debates about the oversight of animal welfare in zoological institutions.