Safari zoo mocked but visionary: Barnett

Colin Barnett's promise to build an African-themed open range zoo in Perth's Swan Valley has been mocked but the WA premier insists it could be the world's best.

The zoo, planned for a 700-hectare site at Chittering, is intended to be a major tourist attraction, similar to Werribee Open Range Zoo near Melbourne.

"People make fun of my commitment to build an open range zoo - that is visionary," Mr Barnett told reporters on Wednesday.

"We have the potential in the Chittering Valley to have the best open range zoo in the world, surpassing San Diego."