Concept grows for animal facility

Times Colonist
August 4, 2005

Does Greater Victoria need a conservation centre along the lines of the now-defunct Crystal Gardens?

About 30 people who make up a new society say yes, and they are looking for free space to set up a fledgling facility. The Organization Advocating Sanctuary for Endangered Species (OASES) aims to create a conservation centre in Greater Victoria for the purpose of education, and conservation through captive breeding programs.

They plan to showcase animals sent from other conservation centres as well as some that are privately owned but will be on loan to the Victoria facility.

The society's members include people who opposed the closing of the Crystal Gardens a year ago, said vice-president John Creviston.

"We have our initial concept. We want to build a 'discovery ship,' a stage set from a 18th-century wooden sailing vessel," said Creviston on Wednesday.

The ship will not be real, but will serve as a way to tell a story and display the various animals.

Elements of this mock ship are under construction. What is lacking is a space to set it up. The society is looking for an area in Greater Victoria that will offer a high-profile venue for a collection of small animals such as lizards, amphibians and mammals.

The society is hoping someone can donate a space of about 1,000 square feet that has good access and traffic flow. Ideally, the new centre would be up and running by the fall, said Creviston.

The facility will rely on donations to operate, he said.

This would be a first step to a full-fledged conservation centre, he added.

Anyone who can help can contact society president Herman Surkis at 472-6995.

CREDIT: Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist
Shawna Liddicoat gets close to Little E, an Eclectus parrot at her home Wednesday. Liddicoat is part of a group that hopes to create a conservation centre in Victoria. Efforts are underway to find free space in a central location