Monarto Safari Park

As a conservation charity, every visit, adoption, donation and ticket helps save species from extinction

40 years of Monarto Safari Park

Step back in time to revisit defining moments in our conservation journey

From its beginning in 1983 as a breeding and pasture area, to opening to the public in 1993, Monarto Safari Park has grown in both size and conservation success.

1981

The decision to establish an open-range zoo is announced on 16 September, 1982 by The Hon David Wotton, Minister of Environment and Planning. Total area set aside is 1,000ha.

1983

The first animals arrive! Two young female bison from Auckland Zoo, NZ, arrive in June.  The transfer of a pair of young Wapiti, also known as elk, from Melbourne Zoo as well as Fallow Deer, Indian Antelope and Common Ostrich  from Adelaide Zoo  follow shortly.

1991

After more than three decades at Adelaide Zoo, Samorn, the Asian Elephant moves to the breeding and agistment area in a purpose-built elephant house. This is seen as the best way of meeting Samorn’s need for space.

1993

Premier Lynn Arnold officially opens the park as an educational facility with bus and walking tours. There are approximately 300 animals on site. Animals include Samorn the elephant, two Giraffe, Zebra, Ostrich, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Przewalski’s Horse and Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby.

1994

Two pairs of bilbies arrive in September 1994 from the NT Conservation Commission’s captive colony at Alice Springs. The arrival commences the South Australian Bilby Recovery Team’s collaborative program with the State Government, the Threatened Species Network and Zoos SA.1996 sees success with two bilbies born at the park.

1996

Several releases of Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies bred at Adelaide and Monarto into Aroona Dam Sanctuary, near Leigh Creek, occur.

2001

After several years of planning, the first Southern White Rhinoceros ever to be held in South Australia arrives. Uhura is a vital addition to the genetic make-up of the captive breeding population of this endangered species.

2002

Australia’s largest African Lion habitat  is built. The park’s first two lions, brothers Leroy and Levi, arrive in July from Mogo Zoo.

2004 – 2009

Extinct on mainland Australia since 1930, a feral population of Mainland Tammar Wallabies is discovered on Kawau Island and in Rotorua, NZ.

This rediscovery sees 85 adult Tammar Wallabies translocated to the park in 2004 to form the start of a captive breeding program. 82 Tammar Wallabies are released into Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula. 2009 sees a successful fourth reintroduction – 125 animals have  now been returned to the wild.

2007

Planning and construction of a world class Chimpanzee enclosure commences in 2007. Dr Jane Goodall visits the park to bless the project in 2008.

2010

Four female chimps arrive in October from Burgers’ Zoo in the Netherlands. Named Zombi, Zwala, Galatea and Soona, they are carefully introduced to the boys.

2017

Lions 360 opens, the first encounter of its kind in Australia. Lions 360 enables Zoos SA to raise awareness for the species and to support 36 rangers to patrol Sera Conservancy in Kenya to protect lions and other African species

2019

Monarto Zoo becomes Monarto Safari Park, the largest safari experience outside of Africa. The most successful breeding year to date for Tasmanian Devils’ with 11 joeys born. This is major success for breeding facial tumour-free Tasmanian Devils.

2022

Monarto Safari Park’s new Visitor Centre opens to the public, allowing the park to welcome more visitors than ever.

Surrounded as far as the eye can see by the Monarto Mallee Plains and featuring an accessible heart space, large and airy retail store, café with breathtaking vistas over the park, and a brand-new exhibition space.

2023

A mammoth fundraiser is announced  to create a home for Asian Elephants  at Monarto Safari Park. We’re now setting up for a wild future as we continue our mission to save species from extinction. Thank you for being part of the journey!

Photo credit: Alex Cearns

About Zoos SA

Zoos SA is a not-for-profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction.

Zoos SA acknowledges the Country on which we stand always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land and we pay our deepest respect and gratitude to Kaurna (Adelaide Zoo) and Ngarrindjeri (Monarto Safari Park) Elders, past, present and emerging.

We undertake critical conservation work throughout Australia and acknowledge the traditional custodians of these lands.

2023 SA Tourism Awards Gold in Major Tourist Attractions 2023 SA Tourism Awards Voters Choice
2022 SA Tourism Awards Gold in Tourist Attraction 2022 SA Tourism Awards Voters Choice
2022 Australian Tourism Awards Highly Commended 2023 Australian Tourism Awards Highly Commended

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Contact Us

Monarto Safari Park
63 Monarto Road
Monarto, SA 5254

E: [email protected]
P: (08) 8267 3255
Click here to get in touch via our contact form




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