Discover NZ’s backyard this Conservation Week

Local and visitors to Auckland are invited to get along to Auckland Zoo this Conservation Week (Saturday 8 to Sunday 16 September) to discover the many amazing natural treasures living in New Zealand’s backyard.

The Zoo has teamed up with the Department of Conservation, Sustainable Coastlines and the Journey to the Deep production to bring visitors an action-packed week to celebrate and highlight the need to protect what’s precious.

Regular seal, little penguin, native reptile, eel, kiwi and kea encounters will take place throughout the Zoo’s NZ Precinct, Te Wao Nui - home to over 50 New Zealand native species. Characters from the marine conservation production, Journey to the Deep, will perform at Te Wao Nui’s The Coast, The Islands and Conservation Centre. Along with interactive activities at the Conservation Centre, kids can take part in a fishy activity at KidZone, and at the Sustainable Coastlines Container, help create penguin and fur seal murals from plastic rubbish.

“New Zealand is home to unique and extraordinary wildlife, and there’s nothing like seeing some of these animals in the flesh to appreciate just how special they are, and why we need to ensure they stay and flourish in our backyard,” says Auckland Zoo NZ Fauna curator, Ian Fraser.

As Conservation Week approaches, Auckland Zoo has kiwi, whio (blue duck), and pateke (brown teal) eggs close to hatching as part of breeding recovery programmes for these species. Zoo staff are also busy with fieldwork in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park - helping with bird monitoring on Motutapu Island and bird disease research work on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Conservation Week 2012 is on daily at Auckland Zoo from 9.30am to 5.30pm (last entry 4.15pm). Normal Zoo admission prices apply. Friends of the Zoo, free. For further details, including the daily schedule of NZ native animal encounters, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz

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ABOUT AUCKLAND ZOO
Auckland Zoo is operated by Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA), a council-controlled organisation of Auckland Council. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 860 animals and 138 species) and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It is becoming increasingly well-known nationally, and internationally through the award-winning television programme, The Zoo. At the heart of all Auckland Zoo's work and activities is its mission: "to bring people together to build a future for wildlife”. Auckland Zoo is a member of both the Zoo and Aquarium Association (Australasia) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

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