Noise-sensitive exotic animals at risk near new Sydney airport, advocate warns

An exotic animal sanctuary located near Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has voiced serious concerns about the potential impact of passenger jet noise on its animal residents. The Zambi Wildlife Retreat, situated just kilometers from the airport's flight path, is home to a variety of animals, including tigers and lions, many of whom are retired circus performers or have nowhere else to go.

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It is a genuine concern for us with noise and visuals as well, because we have animals who do not like things flying over the top of them, like the meerkats.

Donna Wilson, managing director and co-founder of the sanctuary, expressed worry about how noise-sensitive animals, including endangered species, will cope when the airport becomes fully operational at the end of October. She noted that while the retreat is not directly under a flight path, it is close enough to be affected by the landing and takeoff noise. Wilson highlighted that even recent low-flying military aircraft caused significant distress, with Przewalski horses nearly running through fences.

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I am worried about that landing and take-off noise, you know, the thrusting and where are they going to be up in the sky.

Wilson specifically mentioned nocturnal animals like red pandas, fearing that the round-the-clock flights could disrupt their natural behaviors. The sanctuary houses several hundred animals, and the constant noise and visual presence of aircraft overhead are a genuine concern for their welfare. Some animals, like meerkats, are reportedly averse to things flying above them.

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It was quite dramatic for our Przewalski horses, that nearly ran through fences.

Concerns extend beyond the sanctuary, with wildlife advocates also worried about the impact on native fauna. Annette Cam from the Blue Mountains Conservation Society pointed out WSI's proximity to the Blue Mountains World Heritage site and the Greater Blue Mountains Area Environmental Monitoring Program. She expressed apprehension about the noise's effect on native wildlife, noting that the end of the runway is only 10 kilometers from the national park's boundary. There is a lack of research into how aircraft noise affects wild animals, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the airport's environmental impact.

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The end of the runway is 10 kilometres from the closest boundary to the national park, which is world heritage [listed] and 13 kilometres away from the lovely Burragorang state conservation area.