Treat your mum to an amazing day out at Adelaide or Monarto Zoo this Mother's Day. We're excited to partner with The Advertiser and Sunday Mail to exclusively provide readers with a 'mums go free' special offer this Mother's Day Sunday 12 May.

To spoil mum and redeem the offer, pick up a copy of the paper on Saturday 11 May or Sunday 12 May and collect the entry token on page two. This offer is strictly available to The Advertiser and Sunday Mail readers only.

Unique Mother's Day Gifts

Spoil mum this Mother's Day with a unique zoo gift! Treat her to an annual membership so she can enjoy the zoo year around or an animal experience where she'll have the chance to get up close to some of the zoo's remarkable residents. Or why not adopt an animal in her honor? Click the button below for more information.

I would like to take this opportunity to advise you that Zoos South Australia will cease business operations at Warrawong Wildlife Sanctuary effective 1 March.

In line with the Zoos SA 5-Year Business Plan, introduced in July 2012, the ZSA executive team in conjunction with the Board began a detailed assessment of our business operations, which included reviewing the business at Warrawong. A number of scenarios were considered and ultimately the decision came down to the fact that we are no longer in position to realise a sustainable return on investment from the property.

During October Dr Wendy Foster, Rebecca Ma and I traveled to China to meet with Chinese partners working on the Giant Panda program and of course, some pandas!

This trip was an opportunity to further strengthen the zoo's relationship with our Chinese counterparts as well as for me to learn more about an important conservation program for Zoos SA, not only because we host Wang Wang and Funi at Adelaide Zoo but because China's Sichuan Province is one of our focuses for international conservation support.

For many years dedicated volunteers from both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos have been visiting a variety of community groups sharing fascinating stories of things that happen both front of house and behind the scenes at our Zoos. Funny anecdotes always bring laughter and intimate tales of individual animals can sometimes bring tears, but our volunteers always leave their audience smiling from ear to ear.

Not only do volunteers speak publicly they also create yummy treats for our animals. Photo: Dave Mattner

The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia (RZSSA) has today announced the resignation of CEO Chris West following his acceptance of the role as Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

RZSSA President Kevin McGuinness said Dr West has led the organisation through a challenging chapter in its history following a period of significant growth and redevelopment.

"Zoos SA is today a more contemporary organisation and has seen a more than doubling of membership numbers and business revenue under Chris's leadership," Mr McGuinness said.

"Following the restructure of our funding arrangements announced late last year we are in a sound position and well placed for the future.

"On behalf of the Board I extend my congratulations to Chris and his family on his appointment and wish them all the best as they start to plan the next stage of their lives abroad."

Dr West has held the Zoos SA Chief Executive position for the last six years, having previously been the Zoological Director at the Zoological Society of London.

"Chris has overseen the transformation of Adelaide and Monarto Zoos and has strengthened the reputation of Zoos SA as an integrated conservation organisation on a national and international level," Mr McGuinness said.

Dr West will remain as CEO until June and an international search for his replacement is now underway.

Bored children and stressed parents are expected to become extinct thanks to our special $65 family fun pass available at both Adelaide and Monarto Zoos during the April School Holidays and Easter long weekend.

This limited-time offer is available from April 6 until April 22 and lets up to two adults and three children experience a day at either Adelaide or Monarto Zoo, enjoying special activities, meeting our amazing animals and learning about conservation.

School holiday visitors can learn all about Bilbies over Easter!

Did you know Tasmanian Devils patrol an area in a large figure of eight pattern in the wild? And so, with a little poetic license, the legend of the Looney Tunes cartoon character, Taz, spinning around from place to place, was born.

As you may have seen recently, the Bill to make labeling for palm oil a mandatory requirement on food, cosmetics and palm oil was passed in the House of Senate on Thursday 23rd June 2011.

Now it has one more step to go on Monday 4th July, when it goes through the House of Representatives. If it successfully goes through there then it will become law.

The Royal Zoological Society of South Australia is a not for profit, non-Government organisation. Significant capital investment was required for the development of the new front entrance precinct, the perimeter fence – required in order to meet National Zoo Standards – and the Giant Panda exhibit. The organisation attracted an enormous amount of community and business support, and valuable partnerships but far less national sponsorship than expected, largely due to the onset of the Global Financial Crisis at a critical point in the project.