Kids ‘bugging’ you these School Holidays?

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 15 September 2009

Kids ‘bugging’ you for something to do these School Holidays?

Why not come and check out our fabulous new Greenfingers Bugs About exhibit! This area features the only display of the mighty wetapunga, an endangered giant weta species found only on Little Barrier Island.

“The wetapunga is the largest weta in the world and one of the heaviest insects….as heavy as a sparrow!” according to our resident entomologist, Paul Barrett.

As well as the wetapunga, Greenfingers Bugs About has New Zealand’s largest collection of tarantula, giant centepede, mantids, native and introduced cockroach species, a live beehive and a host of other creepy crawlies.

Children visiting Butterfly Creek during the coming school holidays will receive a special Greenfingers Bugs About activity sheet and will get the chance to win some fabulous prizes!

Butterfly Creek offers a range of all-weather experiences for children and adults alike. Other attractions include “Scar” and “Goldie”, two giant saltwater crocodiles, baby alligators, the Tropical Butterfly House, New Zealand’s largest fresh water and tropical marine aquaria and a great farm animal petting zoo – not forgetting of course the Tip Top Red Admiral Express Train, café and playground.

We will be presenting our animal encounters schedule these September School Holidays, with crocodile talks through the day, plus keeper encounters with our native Giant Weta, butterflies, alligators and tarantulas!

Get up close with the crocs and bugs at Butterfly Creek!

Do you love animals and want to learn more about caring for them? Ever dreamt of being a zookeeper? Maybe even a famous crocodile wrangler like Steve Irwin!

Everybody’s dreams start somewhere, even our chief croc keeper Brian started out looking after the farm animals….now he looks after two of New Zealand’s largest predators, our giant salt water crocs, Scar and Goldie.

Butterfly Creek’s Junior Keeper Programme gives you the opportunity to be a keeper for a day. You will learn what it is like to be a zookeeper; cleaning, feeding and monitoring the animals…and getting the best seat in the house for the croc encounter!

This programme runs in the school holidays, 9.30am – 3.30pm and with spaces limited to 4 a day, it is guaranteed to sell out fast. Cost is $100 per child, includes a light lunch and is suitable for ages 7 – 12yrs. Younger children can be catered for if accompanied by an adult.

For more information on the School Holidays or Junior Keeper programme, please check out our website www.butterflycreek.co.nz

Butterfly Creek…..we just got meaner!

About Butterfly Creek:
Butterfly Creek opened in 2003 and has quickly established itself as one of one of Australasia’s most exciting and colourful attractions.

Butterfly Creek is home to Australasia’s premier Tropical Butterfly House, a stunning exhibit area housing 700 free flying exotic tropical butterflies, tropical fish, birds, turtles and reptiles; all in a temperature controlled environment.

As well as the newly arrived crocs, Butterfly Creek also hosts New Zealand’s only baby alligators and a unique range of other attractions, including:

● “Greenfingers Bugs About” with the largest collection of tarantula in NZ as well as Lily’s Cockroach House and a host of other fascinating bugs - including NZ’s largest insect, the giant wetapunga. (you’ll only see this mighty insect at Butterfly Creek).
●“Pirates Below” an aquarium area with New Zealand’s largest fresh-water tropical and marine coral tanks
●Buttermilk Farm interactive farmyard, and
●The Tip Top Red Admiral Express Train
Butterfly Creek is open daily 9am – 5.30pm and is the ideal all-weather attraction

ENDS