ALTINA Wildlife Park’s push to feed roadkill to its animals has fallen on deaf ears.
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The Riverina zoo has lost an ongoing battle with the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH), prohibiting staff from removing roadside carcasses.
Owner Gloria Altin described the outcome as a “disappointment”.
“Roadkill is useful for animals such as Tasmanian Devils, because it’s a much more natural diet for them in the wild,” she said.
“Additionally, we could have prevented accidents and helped save animals like the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, which tries to eat roadkill and becomes vulnerable to traffic.
“It really makes a lot of sense to us but there's not much we can do about it now.”
DEH informed the Darlington Point zoo that each carcass unlawfully gathered would attract a $3000 fine.
It came as a significant financial blow for the park, which used to source 80 kilograms of free meat from nearby highways.
“Every time we try to find a path to do it, we’re blocked,” Mrs Altin said.
Murrumbidgee Shire Council had supported the proposal in the past, sending a letter supporting Altina Wildlife Park to DEH.
Truckie Dean Cunningham, who travels the region on a weekly basis, said Altina’s proposal was a “win-win situation”.
“You clear the roads of hazards – probably saving lives – and feed the animals,” he said.
“I think they’re probably concerned somebody would be hit by a car.”
The zoo instead have to purchase their meat.
