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Walk With Kangaroos? Santa Barbara Zoo Adding New Immersive Australian Walkabout Experience

(Santa Barbara Zoo image)
An artist's conception of the Santa Barbara Zoo's new "Australian Walkabout" area, set for opening in the Summer of 2021

A South Coast zoo is starting work on a new multi-million-dollar project to give visitors an immersive experience into the Australian outback.

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s new “Australian Walkabout” will allow visitors to walk among wallabies, kangaroos, emus, and native birds.

The zoo is using an area of its property which for years was home to its two elephants.  They passed away a few years ago, and because of new space and other requirements needed to house elephants, it was decided not to try to replace them.

Plans call for the $3-million-dollar zoo addition to open next summer.
 

Lance Orozco has been News Director of KCLU since 2001, providing award-winning coverage of some of the biggest news events in the region, including the Thomas and Woolsey brush fires, the deadly Montecito debris flow, the Borderline Bar and Grill attack, and Ronald Reagan's funeral. 
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