RSS 
Related objects
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
World video travel guide
News • New Zealand • 2011-06-03
Major new NZ eco-project for Auckland Zoo
The first glimpse of Te Wao Nui - a major new ecological project at Auckland Zoo and the biggest development in the city attraction’s history - will be offered to visitors to celebrate World Environment Day.
Over Queens Birthday holiday weekend (4 - 6 June), the Zoo will open ‘The Forest’ - one of six ecological environments that make up a huge New Zealand flora and fauna display due for completion in September, just in time for Rugby World Cup 2011.
The NZ$16m development covers a quarter of the zoo’s display area and allows visitors to experience New Zealand’s diverse flora and fauna all in one place.
Te Wao Nui
The new Te Wao Nui precinct will feature six distinct ecological environments - The Coast, The Islands, The Wetlands, The Night Forest, The Forest and The High Country.
Extensive planting has been carried out and new animals have begun arriving for what the Zoo describes as the biggest project in its 88-year history.
Te Wao Nui will be home to over 100 native plant species and around 60 different New Zealand native animal species - some completely new to the Zoo and others that have been housed in off-display areas.
Zoo Director Jonathan Wilcken says the project is 100 percent about celebrating and helping to protect New Zealand’s fauna and flora.
"Whether you’re a local or a visitor to Auckland, this is going to be a stunning way to experience New Zealand’s unique animals, plants and culture.
"It will also be a great way to learn of the incredible efforts now underway to protect our amazing natural heritage," says Wilcken.
World Environment Day
Auckland Zoo is allowing visitors a sneak preview of The Forest - housed in what was once the Zoo’s aviary - because the theme for this year’s World Environment Day (5.06.2011) is 'Forests: Nature at your service'.
The Forest ecological zone, which will become home to some of New Zealand’s most precious native bird species, and has been modelled on the rainforest of the Waitakere Ranges in West Auckland.
It will be a walk-through ‘free-flight’ aviary for special New Zealand native birds such as kereru, kaka, bellbird, kokako and kakariki.
As with the rest of Te Wao Nui, there will be an emphasis on education and the race to protect New Zealand’s rare flora and fauna - a quarter of New Zealand’s birds are found nowhere else on the planet.
The Islands
From The Forest precinct, visitors will also be able to view progress on The Islands. This zone will house Antipodes Island parakeets, tuatara and several different geckos and skinks, as well as one of the world’s naturally flightless ducks - the Campbell Island teal.
With a swing bridge and kauri log dam, visitors will be able to wander The Islands amongst nikau palms, wharawhara (epiphytic plants), Poor Knights lilies, grasses and other off-shore island plant species.
The Wetlands
Another of the six ecological zones, The Wetlands will provide a rare view of a fully functioning wetland area as human impact has resulted in the removal of almost 90% of New Zealand’s wetlands and few people have seen them in operation.
Wetlands are considered the kidneys of the environment because of their vital role in purifying water, moderating flow rates and providing a home for many species including heron, brown teal, scaup, shoveler, grey teal, pied stilt and kingfisher.
A boardwalk lined with kowhai trees will link The Wetlands to The Night Forest, and the wetland aviary area will be dominated by flax, manuka and cabbage trees which are all familiar plants in the natural New Zealand environment.
The Night Forest
With so many New Zealand species being nocturnal, including the national icon the kiwi, the Zoo is building a special reverse light cycle area. The exterior of the building will be covered in plants, waterfalls and mist, with dramatic exterior lighting.
As well as being home to kiwi and morepork (New Zealand’s only surviving owl), The Night Forest will feature short-tailed bats - one of only two mammals native to New Zealand.
Some of the country’s weta insect species, large kauri snails, freshwater crayfish and rare Archey’s frogs will also be housed in the night forest area.
The Coast
Three-quarters of the area within the Auckland Supercity is marine and therefore The Coast section of Te Wao Nui is of prime importance.
The zone has been landscaped to represent three aspects of a northern New Zealand coastal ecosystem and features pohutukawa (the New Zealand Christmas tree), sand dunes, a rocky shoreline and regenerating coastal forest - highlighting rare and regionally threatened coastal plants.
The area will house New Zealand fur seals and in the aviary visitors will be able to view the smallest penguin in the world - the little blue penguin, as well as a variety of other coastal birds.
The High Country
The extensive areas of high country throughout New Zealand provide a unique environment for many species that are found nowhere else in the country, and this zone tells their special story.
The entrance is through the kea aviary - the kea is the world’s only alpine parrot and roams the South Island high country. The birds are mischievous and enjoy snooping in campers’ backpacks - having been known on one occasion to make off with an unsuspecting traveller’s passport.
The landscaping in The High Country zone features a river and tussock area with mountainous rocky terrain - providing the perfect environment for weka, blue duck, and South Island reptiles.
Background: Te Wao Nui
Te Wao Nui has been developed with money from the Auckland Zoo Charitable Trust and is the biggest project in the Zoo’s 88-year history.
The Department of Conservation and local iwi / Māori tribe, Ngati Whatua o Orakei are partners in the project.
Visitors will be supporting conservation in New Zealand as a percentage of every adult admission will go towards helping native animals in the wild.
The Zoo says animals are arriving and the plants are growing as the six ecological environments take shape in preparation for Te Wao Nui’s September opening.
Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo has won numerous national and international environmental-related awards and is recognised as one of the most progressive zoos in the world.
The Zoo park, situated in the Western Springs suburb of Auckland city, covers 17 hectares and houses New Zealand’s largest collection of animals.
It is home to 117 different species and more than 700 animals - all cared for by 100 full time staff and many volunteers.
Since the official opening in 1922, Auckland Zoo has changed from being a place of recreation and entertainment where visitors could view animals from around the world, to become an active conservation organisation helping build a future for wildlife.
Auckland Zoo now works alongside conservation groups from other zoos and wildlife organisations abroad, as well as the Department of Conservation in New Zealand.
A large group of volunteers or ‘Friends of the Zoo’ contribute about 38,000 hours of unpaid work a year and along with corporate groups help support a variety of programmes.
The work encompasses everything from breeding animals in the Zoo and conservation of species in the wild, to education, research, advocacy and offering unique experiences that enable visitors to connect with wildlife.
