6 November 2003
MEDIA RELEASE

A birthday to really trumpet about at the Zoo!

It’s happy birthday to Kashin and Burma, in an extra special Elephants Birthday celebration at Auckland Zoo on Sunday 16th November (11am – 2pm).

At 35, Kashin’s an old hand at parties, but for Burma, who turns 21, it’s a really big day, as we celebrate in traditional style by giving her the key to the Zoo.

From the moment you arrive it will be full-on action. Sticky TV’s crazy crew will be there to make sure it’s elefantastic. Hosts Anna and Paul will need all their stickability to ride in the Grand Birthday Parade, when you will see the birthday girls exquisitely painted for their big day in traditional Asian elephant style. Carmel’s face painting team will have loads of time to turn your kids into their favourite Zoo creatures too.

Our guest DJ has trunkfulls of great sounds and he will certainly have brushed up his best elephant jokes like: How do you get four elephants in a MINI? (two in the front and two in the back of course!) Talking about MINI’s, don’t forget to enter the birthday bonanza draw to win a ‘pocket rocket’ MINI for a weekend courtesy of Team McMillan, along with heaps of other great prizes.

Come on you greys! You can cheer for your favourite side in a truly Titanic celebrity tug of war – elephants versus humans.

No birthday would be complete without a cake; Kashin and Burma’s keepers and Zoo volunteers are preparing a ginormous birthday cake, with all the elephants’ favourite
ingredients. Then there’s the biggest birthday card in the world to sign - well, the biggest one we know of anyway.

During the day, you can also get Eye-to-Eye with many of Kashin and Burma’s friends. Encounters include giraffe, Galapagos tortoise, native fauna, orangutan, tiger and macaw free-flight demonstration. Go to www.aucklandzoo.co.nz for more details.

Bring a picnic if you like or, Darwin’s Café has themed children’s picnic packs and goodies for all ages available.

Normal Zoo admission charges apply.

Remember, if you can’t make it, Kashin and Burma would be happy to see you at the Elephant Encounter any Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday or Public Holiday at 1.15pm.

ENDS