Shambala Animal Kingdom, Wildlife sanctuary in Kuranda, Australia
Shambala Animal Kingdom was a zoo in Kuranda, in northern Queensland, housing lions, primates, rhinoceroses, and many other animals in open-style enclosures across a forested site. The park sat near the Daintree rainforest and gave visitors a chance to see African and Asian species at close range.
The park opened in June 2003 as Mareeba Wild Animal Park, run by David Gill, who also operated South Lakes Safari Zoo in England. It closed in April 2013 because of financial difficulties, and its exotic animals were transferred to wildlife facilities in Indonesia.
The Zoo and Aquarium Association granted Shambala full institutional membership in 2009, making it one of three accredited facilities in Queensland. This recognition reflected the standard the park aimed to maintain in housing exotic animals.
The park closed permanently in April 2013 and is no longer open to visitors. Those who want to see wildlife in the region can find other active facilities across Queensland that house both exotic and native species.
In September 2006, a male lion escaped from its enclosure, drawing attention to the park's safety protocols. The animal was recaptured without harm, and no one was injured.
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