Extinct stinks these holidays at the zoo

Auckland City Council

Media release

11 September 2009

Extinct stinks these holidays at the zoo

The dinosaur has disappeared, the moa is missing and the dodo bit the dust. Come along to Auckland Zoo these school holidays (26 September – 11 October) to learn how you can help stop other species vanishing forever.

At the two free daily shows (10.30am and 12noon) Paddlepop Lion and Denis the dragon will introduce their plan to stop their animal friends from disappearing forever and spread the message of ‘extinct stinks’.

With less than 360 Sumatran tigers in the wild and Bornean orang utan numbers in rapid decline, both these species face extinction in the wild in less than 10 years unless we do something to help them.   Education is one of the best ways to help, and during the school holidays visitors can visit tiger and orang utan ‘touch tables’.  These display tables encourage interactive learning about the animals’ characteristics, behaviours and vocalisations, and why they face extinction.  Tables will operate between 10am – 3pm daily at Visa Entertainment Tiger Territory and the Just Juice Primate Trail.

Support of in situ (in the wild) conservation projects is another way to help stop extinction and if you make a purchase from a ‘touch table’ over the holiday period not only will you be supporting key conservation projects, but every purchase goes into the draw to win a prize valued at over $900.00.   The grand prize includes a party of 10 children at the zoo’s critter cottages with a guest appearance from Paddlepop Lion, ice creams and lunch packs.

There will also be additional eye-to-eye animal encounters running throughout the holidays and the chance to learn how to draw dragons, lions and orang utans with the Freelance Animation School in Kidzone daily between 10am – 12noon.

Auckland Zoo September school holidays sponsored Streets.

Event details

September school holidays 26 September-11 October, 9.30am – 5.30pm
Daily shows: 10.30am and 12noon (20 minute shows)
Celebrate the dragon’s 50th birthday Saturday 3 October, 11am – 2pm
Additional holiday animal encounters : Lemur encounters Mondays and Thursdays at 11.30am, cotton top tamarin encounters Tuesdays and Fridays at 11.30pm, otter encounters Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.30pm

Normal zoo encounter schedule remains

Learn how to draw at Kidzone between 10am – 12noon daily
Visitors who purchase from the tiger or orang utan touch table will be in the draw to win a party for 10 children at Auckland Zoo’s Critter Cottages with a guest appearance from Paddlepop Lion, free Streets ice-cream and lunch packs – prize valued at $900.00

Normal zoo admission prices apply
For further school holiday details, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or phone (09) 360 3805.

ENDS