Melbourne has world class zoos and sanctuaries. While I don't like the thought of animals in captivity, I applaud their 'fighting extinction' mission and collaboration with international breeding programs. The improvements they have made to the enclosures over the years are fantastic, with Werribee Zoo being one of my favourite places to observe, photograph and sketch wildlife.
2012, Oil & acrylic on canvas board, 640mm x 910mm IUCN status: endangered Pop trend: decreasing
Oil on linen, 2012 840mm x 660mm IUCN Status: Vulnerable Pop. Trend: Decreasing With thanks and credit to photographer, Kevin Clifford, who took the original photograph and gave me permission to use the image as reference for this painting. The picture was taken at Animal Ark, an animal sanctuary in Reno, Nevada, USA. Cheetahs are allowed to run regularly as it has been found this prolongs their life in captivity.