Perth set to get open range zoo

Plans for an open range zoo in Perth in which wild animals would have plenty of space to roam are expected to be announced soon.

West Australian Premier Colin Barnett said a Perth site had already been identified and he hoped it would be a major tourist venue that would attract visitors from overseas.

He was impressed after a visit to the Werribee Open Range Zoo near Melbourne, both by the zoo and the fact that New Zealand tourists take their families to Melbourne to see it.

Perth could do the same attracting Asian tourists, he said.

"Imaging taking your kids to see elephants and giraffes in their natural environment," he told 6PR radio.

"We're absolutely serious. I think there's a trend worldwide of people wanting to see animals in open range environments. We don't want to see animals in cages and enclosures, we've moved on."

Such a zoo has been flagged previously and could still be up to a decade away.