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Byron Shire
June 24, 2026

Wildlife Sanctuary still open, animals are safe

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The Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is still open, and the animals are safe. Come and visit!

With Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary entering voluntary administration, managers have made a statement to say they are still open and providing ‘exemplary care for all animals at the Sanctuary’.

Amanda Gorvin, General Manager, said, ‘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’.

‘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.

Investments in facilities and future growth

‘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’, the statement reads.



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