Monarto Safari Park, formerly known as Monarto Zoological Park and Monarto Zoo, is a open-range zoo located in South Australia administered by the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia. It is located at Monarto, approximately from Adelaide's centre. The zoo features several unique attractions, including opportunities to get close to lions and cheetahs, and have interactive experiences with meerkats, black rhinoceros and southern white rhinoceros, and see Australia's largest giraffe herd. History The zoo was created in 1983 on land owned by the state government as a closed-to-the-public, purpose breeding area and endangered species sanctuary. In 1990, a study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of allowing public access to the zoo, and by 1993 it had been developed into a large educational facility, open to the public, with bus and walking tours. Five major habitat exhibits have been developed, including the Asian steppes, arid north Africa, African plains, and Asian grasslands. The entire zoo is surrounded with vermin-proof fencing to keep the habitat as self-contained as possible. The area is not irrigated, and is populated primarily with native flora to cut down on water consumption and erosion in the semi-arid region. The roads and trails within the zoo are constructed of local materials to keep them low maintenance, and to allow them to be easily re-integrated into the habitat should the need arise. Waste water is recycled, and as much as possible, solar power is used for electric fencing needs. In late 2019, Monarto Zoo began a three-year project to convert itself into a safari park with luxury resort facilities. As part of the overhaul, it is transitioning its branding to be "Monarto Safari Park" by 2021. Monarto will also become the largest park outside of Africa. Description Monarto Safari Park is an open-range zoo comprising administered by the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (trading as Zoos SA) and located near Monarto, South Australia. Giraffe breeding programme Monarto Zoo had achieved one of the most successful giraffe breeding programs in Oceania, and has the most successful giraffe breeding programmes in Australia. Animals & Conservation efforts Endangered species The zoo is taking part in numerous conservation efforts with endangered species, and has breeding projects for many Australian native species, including bilby, eastern barred bandicoot, Tasmanian devil, warru (black-footed rock-wallaby) and yellow-footed rock-wallaby; as well as many exotic species (and endangered subspecies of some species) including addax, African wild dog,