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Premier Mark McGowan poses with giraffes and pledges to improve orangutan enclosure at Perth Zoo

Joe SpagnoloThe West Australian
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Premier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times Credit: The Sunday Times

Premier Mark McGowan might have spent his time being entertained by the giraffes, but it’s the lives of Perth’s orangutans which is about to get better if he wins the election next week.

In a photo call surrounded by inquisitive giraffes at the Perth Zoo today, Mr McGowan yesterday pledged $30 million to make improvements to facility.

Giving orangutans better living quarters, he said, was a priority.

“Some of the things I want to see done as part of this investment will especially be around the orangutans.

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Premier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times Credit: The Sunday Times

“The orangutan enclosure is quite old, and they are highly intelligent creatures and clearly threatened in the wild.

“If you improve the enclosure for the orangutans, you can improve the prospects of them breeding and improve the conservation programme so that we can assist in preserving that amazing species.

“But in addition to that, there will be Tiger tunnels and Bear tunnels where they can walk around above you.

Premier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan feeds the giraffes at the Perth Zoo after promising to spend 30 million dollars on improvements to the Perth Zoo if re-elected. Picture Jackson Flindell The Sunday Times Credit: The Sunday Times

“There will be other improvements.”

Mr McGowan also announced plans to help protect the Swan and Canning rivers by reducing plastic pollution.

He said $13 million would be invested into putting seven gross pollutant traps at the Water Corporation drains to reduce plastic pollution.

And the use of single use plastic by businesses operating within and surrounding the Swan Canning Riverpark will be banned.

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