{{Short description|Australian zoo manager}} {{for|the Australian rules footballer|Jim Lacey (footballer)}} {{One source|date=April 2009}} {{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} '''James Francis Lacey''' (5 June 1934 – 31 January 2008) was an Australian whose work was considered instrumental in the development of the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales, as its general manager from 1988 to 1992.<ref name=ddl>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=North|title=Death of zoo pioneer|url=http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/death-of-zoo-pioneer/1184921.html|work=Dubbo Daily Liberal|date=2008-02-18|accessdate=2008-02-21|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312021814/http://dubbo.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/death-of-zoo-pioneer/1184921.html|archivedate=12 March 2008}}</ref> Lacey also served as the administrator of Lord Howe Island beginning in 1983.<ref name=ddl/>

==Early life== Lacey was born in Sydney, Australia, in 1934.<ref name=ddl/> He resided in the city until he was 29 years old.<ref name=ddl/> He moved to Young, New South Wales, with his wife, Judith, and their oldest daughter, Elizabeth, in 1963.<ref name=ddl/>

The family moved again in 1971, this time to the city of Wagga Wagga.<ref name=ddl/> There, Lacey was employed as a Regional Development Officer for The Riverina.<ref name=ddl/>

==Career== Jim Lacey was appointed the administrator of Lord Howe Island in 1983 by the Department of the NSW Government of the Premier of New South Wales, Neville Wran.<ref name=ddl/> Lacey was praised for his work as administrator of the island, which is a territory within New South Wales.

Lacey's work on Lord Howe Island was noticed by John Kelly, the chief zoo Director of Parks and Wildlife. Kelly asked Lacey to join the Western Plains Zoo in 1988 as general manager, an offer which Lacey accepted.<ref name=ddl/> (The Western Plains Zoo is now called the Taronga Western Plains Zoo). During his time at the zoo, Lacey worked to grow and develop the zoo's facilities, while maintaining an open-range concept for the animals.<ref name=ddl/>

Lacey oversaw the introduction of Asiatic lions to the Western Plains Zoo.<ref name=ddl/> Another of Lacey's initiatives involved the construction of elevated canopy-level platforms in the zoo's koala exhibit, so visitors could view the koalas at eye level instead of from the ground.<ref name=ddl/> Lacey also travelled to Zimbabwe to negotiate the acquisition of several endangered black rhinos.<ref name=ddl/> The black rhino breeding program at the Western Plains Zoo is now a well regarded initiative.<ref name=ddl/>

Lacey hosted Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the Western Plains Zoo in 1992.<ref name=ddl/> He also aggressively promoted the zoo as a major area tourist attraction.<ref name=ddl/>

Lacey voluntarily left the zoo in 1992.<ref name=ddl/> Lacey moved to Darwin, Australia, where he took a position at the Northern Territory Wildlife Park for two years and developed a similar open range concept for the animals of that zoo as well.<ref name=ddl/>

Lacey and his wife later moved to Coffs Harbour.<ref name=ddl/> He served as the New Business Development Manager on the local council until his retirement in 2004.<ref name=ddl/> He moved to Woonona upon his retirement.<ref name=ddl/>

==Death== Jim Lacey died on 31 January 2008, at a hospital near Wollongong at the age of 73.<ref name=ddl/> He was survived by his wife, Judith, and their five children: Elizabeth Hirst, Mary Louise Lacey, Catherine McClintock, Andrew Lacey and Anne Lacey.<ref name=ddl/>

Lacey's funeral was held at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Bulli.<ref name=ddl/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *[http://notices.smh.com.au/death/39988/notice.aspx Sydney Morning Herald: James Francis Lacey]{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041121091552/http://www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/ Taronga Western Plains Zoo Official website] *[http://lordhoweisland.info/community/board.htm Lord Howe Island government]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lacey, Jim}} Category:1934 births Category:2008 deaths Category:Lord Howe Island Category:People from Dubbo Category:Australian directors Category:Australian public servants Category:Zoo directors