Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has released a statement regarding their decision to enter voluntary administration, saying their commitment to animal welfare, visitor experiences and community support will continue for generations to come.
The statement says:
‘The purpose of the voluntary administration is to restructure the organisation, enabling us to secure the long-term growth and success of the Sanctuary with ongoing support from our major financial supporters. In light of this development, we would like to provide clarity about our current situation and ongoing commitments and address any concerns or misinformation…
‘First and foremost, animal welfare remains our highest priority. Our dedicated team of keepers and staff members continues to provide exemplary care for all animals at the Sanctuary. Throughout this period, there will be no compromise to the well-being of our animals..
‘We want to assure our valued guests, supporters, and stakeholders that the process will not affect our day-to-day operations. The Sanctuary remains open to visitors, and all scheduled activities, experiences, events, and operations are continuing as normal. We also want to emphasise that all creditors will be paid on time. We need your support now more than ever, so please drop in to see us!
‘Our Sanctuary thrives because of the strong bonds we share with our community. Community engagement is central to our mission and resilience.
‘We are actively collaborating with our staff, volunteers, and the wider community to navigate this period of instability. The encouragement, involvement, and generosity shown by our local supporters are vital to our efforts as we work diligently toward a positive outcome.
‘Thanks to the generous support of our partners, donors, and community members, we have recently made significant investments in new enclosures and facilities to enhance the experience for both our animals and our visitors. Our new playground and Reptile House have generated a lot of interest, and we have a new Nocturnal House scheduled to open before end of financial year.
‘We fully expect these improvements and investments to continue once we have overcome this immediate structural challenge, and we are committed to ensuring these upgrades reflect the needs and aspirations of our local community.
‘We deeply appreciate the ongoing encouragement and generosity of our community and supporters. With your continued engagement and support, we are confident that Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will quickly emerge from this period stronger for future generations.’
A separate statement was released by Wildlife Recovery Australia yesterday.
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