AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL
MEDIA RELEASE

2 February 2007

If I could eat with the animals

Dinner on the beach at Auckland Zoo's Sealion and Penguin Shores, and breakfast with its elephants at what has to be New Zealand’s most novel outdoor cafe, are on offer to a limited number of diners over the next month.

Both the Sealion Dinner on 28 February, and Elephant Breakfast (in Animal Planet Elephant Clearing) on 3 March, will raise funds for the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund (AZCF). Both experiences will include up-close animal encounters, and opportunities for guests to chat with keepers.

"These really are the ultimate in unconventional dining experiences," says Andrew Coers, team leader of the Zoo's elephant/sealions/carnivore section.

"But most importantly, by taking part, people are directly helping some incredible species, that without such targeted and committed assistance, will in the not-too-distant future, be lost from this planet forever."

AZCF supports projects working to save endangered animals and their habitats, both locally and overseas. Tuatara, popokatea (whitehead), hihi (stitchbird), the Campbell Island teal, orang utan, Sumatran tiger, cheetah, and Asian turtles and tortoises, are among some of the animals to have benefited to date.

Sealion Dinner: Wednesday, 28 February, 5.45pm to 9pm

Be greeted by Auckland Zoo keepers, and go behind the scenes at Sealion and Penguin Shores to see Californian sealions, New Zealand fur seals, and a sub-antartic fur seal. From the beach cave's spectacular viewing window, enjoy sushi and a complimentary drink, while watching keepers dive and feed the sealions. Wander back up to the main beach to enjoy a full buffet dinner. A cash bar will operate.

Tickets: $75 each. Limited to 32 people. To book, phone: 360 4700.

Elephant Breakfast: Saturday, 3 March, 8.30am to 10am

Dress casually and bring your biggest appetite to this fun start to your weekend. You'll be greeted by elephants Kashin and Burma at the Zoo's front entrance at 8.45am. After one-on-one introductions, you'll be joining the zoo’s most famous (and fit) females, and their keepers, on their morning walk through the zoo. A tour of the elephants’ enclosure will follow, before sitting down to a jumbo-sized breakfast.

Expect the unexpected at this great breakfast. One of the elephants will paint a picture on the day that will be one of two elephant paintings auctioned. An activity carried out in partnership with their keepers, the elephants paint as part of their behavioural enrichment programme, which includes a range of activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Tickets: $75 each. Limited to 40 people. For further information, and to book, phone: 360 4700.

All profits from both events, put on voluntarily by Auckland Zoo staff, will go directly to the AZCF. For further information on these events and the AZCF, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

ENDS

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