Auckland Zoo

Infobox zoo
zoo_name = Auckland Zoo
logo=Logo Auckland Zoo.jpg
logo_width=175px
logo_caption=Auckland Zoo's Logo


image_caption = This is the entrance to the Zoo on Motions Road.
date_opened = 17 December 1922
location = Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand
area = 50 acres (0.2 km²)
coordinates = coord|36|51|43.85|S|174|43|8.12|E|type:landmark_scale:2500
num_animals = 1300
num_species = 179
members = ARAZPA
exhibits = Animal Planet Elephant Clearing, Aussie Walkabout, BNZ Kiwi and Tuatara house, Hippo River, Just Juice Primate Trail, Native Frog Research Centre, Newstalk ZB Rainforest, Paddlepop Kidzone, Pridelands, Sealion and Penguin Shores, Tiger Territory
website = http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

Auckland Zoo is the main zoological garden of Auckland, New Zealand. It is situated next to Western Springs park, not far from Auckland's central business district. It is run by the Auckland City Council with the Auckland Zoological Society as a supporting organisation.

Auckland Zoo has a history which dates back before its opening in 1922, the founding and early years were full of difficulties but by 1930 a large collection of animals had been assembled and a zoological society formed. The zoo underwent a period of consolidation during the Second World War and was at this time under the leadership of one of its most important directors, Lt. Col. Sawer. After the Second World War the collection was expanded. In the 1950s Auckland Zoo acquired chimpanzees with the purpose of them having tea parties for the public's entertainment, the parties ceased in 1964. 1973 saw an expansion into the adjacent park of Western Springs. The period from the late 1980s to the present day has seen the closing or phasing out of many old exhibits and new, modern enclosures replacing them.

The current zoo is separated loosely into areas divided by either; the region of origin of the species exhibited, taxonically or by biome. The zoo plays a part in conservation (mainly of New Zealand species), research and education. It has many modern features such as the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM), by 2010 the zoo plans to have its largest development to date open, Te Wao Nui, this area will exhibit native New Zealand flora and fauna.

History

Early history

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left|thumb|Boyd's Animals - This newspaper article was in the "The Auckland Weekly News" and is from June 1922, it reads:Wanted - A zoo for Auckland: some of the animals, formerly housed at Onehunga, which are to be destroyed unless the city agrees to purchase them.

The history of the Auckland Zoo began when an eccentric businessman J.J. Boyd submitted a proposal to the Onehunga Borough Council to purchase a block of land in Symonds Street, Onehunga for the purpose of displaying his private menagerie of six lions, a tiger, a panther, one hyena and what records list only as "several monkeys" in February 1912. The menagerie had been kept at Boyd's zoo at Upper Aramoho near Wanganui (in the southern part of New Zealand's North Island).

Boyd's Onehunga Zoo was a constant source of aggravation for the local council, local residents would complain regularly about the sounds and smells, with regular attempts to close it in the following years by the Council, [http://aucklandzoo.co.nz/Homepage/The-Zoo/History/ How it all began...] (from the Auckland Zoo website. Accessed 2008-03-10.)] which prompted a successful run for mayor of Onehunga by Boyd, before old age and pressure caused Boyd to close the zoo before his death. Boyd would have been appeased though that his efforts convinced the newly formed Auckland City Council to purchase the animals as the basis for a group that would form the nucleus of the permanent zoo at Auckland's Western Springs. There is still a Boyd Street in Onehunga today.

1920s

On December 17, 1922 the zoo was opened by the current Mayor, James Gunson to a sizeable crowd. At this time Western Springs was four miles (6 km) from the town hall in what was then a semi rural area. The saga of Boyd's zoo was well publicised and the public warmed to the zoo immediately.

Th early zoo was a bleak and uninspiring place and had been founded with an initial fund of ₤10,000. However the staff quickly set about planting 5,000 trees and developing the grounds to a pleasant setting.

The council had a meeting in July 1923 with the purpose of arranging the location of a flying aviary, a monkey house and accommodation for the polar bears, bison and birds of prey. Money was also spent developing a bandstand; hippopotamus pools, elephant house and walk, refreshment kiosk and a tiger arena.

L.T. Griffin was the zoo's first supervisor and in effect its first director. He went to Africa in 1923 to acquire species for the newly formed zoo. What followed was an aggressive policy of expansion over the next few years, including the zoo's first animal star, the female Indian elephant, Jamuna, whose influence is still seen today by Jamuna plaza in the rear of the modern zoo. The zoo originally had two keepers who worked seven-day weeks. The early mortality rate of animals in the zoo was terrible especially considering modern standards. However this was normal for the time.

In 1927 the zoo was still expanding rapidly. By December there were 250 mammals of 80 species, more than 1000 birds of 130 species and 24 reptiles of 6 species. Total expenditure on the zoo amounted to ₤53,818. Mortality rates were still high and staff were struggling with a plague of rats but there was positive news as well. Some of the zoo's most popular enclosures were completed and people were still keen to donate animals. Perhaps most encouraging was that 25 mammals and 62 birds were born at the zoo in 1928. By the end of the 1920s the zoo was well established had assembled a large collection in a relatively short period of time.

On 17 July 1929 the formation of the Auckland Zoological Society was announced whose main purpose was to encourage scientific study.

1930s

The zoo's first male elephant arrived at the zoo in November 1930. Rajah stood eight feet three inches at the shoulder and was 13 years old coming from Hobart, Australia. Rajah spent six years in Auckland before his keeper began to lose control of him and he was put down, ironically by the future director of the Zoo Lt. Col. Sawer, (this was considered more humane than being chained up for the rest of his life). It transpired that Rajah's unpredictable nature was due to a lit cigarette being put up his trunk by a patron while still in Hobart. Rajah amazing bulk is on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

In 1931, due to improvements in accommodation and handling the mortality rate dropped significantly. Over the next few years increasing restriction on the importation of animals from the government hastened economy. L.T. Griffin, the original director, died in 1935 and his last report was an optimistic one.

A new director was required, one who would not have the task of establishing a new zoo but would develop the kind of zoo that was desired and organise a suitable set of guidelines. Top of the list was Lt. Col. E. R. Sawer, one-time Director of Agriculture in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) a very active man with the flair for such a project, and already in his mid-fifties, Col. Sawer was a keen advocate for the newish notion that zoological parks were fundamentally about education, science and conservation. Initially approached to report on the zoo, the council was suitably impressed with his submission of six pages of closely typed analysis on where the zoo should be headed. This report not only shows his general approach but gives the fullest report on the zoo at the time.

Stock numbers were heavily reduced in 1935 and some such as the apes, sea lions and camels had disappeared completely and the polar bears and South African animals were senile and aged. Sawer's report called for animals to be paired or the sharing of enclosures of animals in "mournful solitude". Sawer made sweeping changes with the overwhelming feeling being that of order and co-ordination. Sawer was appointed curator on 1 April 1936. The mortality rate was now 10 percent compared with 29.5 percent for mammals and 40 percent for birds at London Zoo in 1934. This is further demonstrated by the figures in 1937, when only 9% of animals died, compared to a full 35 percent of the animals in 1930. For the first time in 1939 natural increase had overtaken mortality in mammals. Sometimes the Colonel's remedies were miraculously effective. A Tiger suffering from a cancerous intestinal sarcoma was successfully treated with massive doses of rhubarb and laxative. Much of the improvement came from attention to diet and supplements by providing food with vitamins for deficiencies, improved fertility and reduced disease resulted and previously barren animals began to breed, Sawer was also a gifted marketer and pushed for greater attendance and an aquarium similar to that which had greatly increased visitors at the New York Zoo.

In February 1938 the first keeper to suffer an injury was W.A. (Bill) Hawke who was attacked by a bear and suffered a serious leg injury. After 5 weeks in the hospital he could not continue his keeping duties but stayed at the zoo for a further 30 years as a gatekeeper.

This point is where Sawer is first seen to be at odds with the Council. He called for a clear objective for the zoo, attention to education, relaxation of importing animals restrictions and the increased ability to exhibit native New Zealand birds. The role of economic recovery and the end of the depression helped Sawer in the transformation from a group of emptying cages to a "full house of exhibits".

1939-1945

However war was on the horizon and the period of 1939 - 1945 saw the zoo trying to survive. Attendance was down, animal importation and supplying zoo animals with food was low on the New Zealand Government's list of priorities. Due to these pressures exhibits changed to more localised and rural representatives. The arrival of United States personal in June 1942 helped the zoo, especially due to the fact that the personal were quartered close to Western Springs. It was not infrequent for the majority of weekend visitor's to be in uniform. The end of the war found the zoo in a state of slight dis-repair and depletion of stocks but in good condition considering the conflict of the last six years. Furthermore this time saw the retirement and movement of many of the early or original members of the zoo staff.

1945-1949

With the war ending, Auckland Zoo's problems did not evaporate. Zoos all over the world were looking to improve collections and New Zealand's isolation was a deterrent to animal exporters. Additionally Wellington Zoo was getting favoritism from politicians and Auckland was still not allowed to exhibit native fauna.

1948 saw was a turnaround point for the zoo with new capital works being approved in Sawer's March 1949 report the details of the animals were given as 165 mammals in 51 species, 329 birds in 98 species and 19 reptiles in 8 species. An aquarium was built, on a smaller scale than Sawer had anticipated but successful nevertheless. Also the zoo finally won the right to exhibit Kiwis, partly due to New Zealand soldiers becoming known as Kiwis during the War. A curator's house, offices and laboratory were constructed in 1949.

In late 1948 the council called for the first animal entertainments which Sawer strongly opposed, however Sawer was now approaching 70 years of age and his career was drawing to an end. Sawer recommended a full time on site curator and veterinarian and started to look for a successor.

"Sawer's retirement marked the end of a remarkable era. Despite considerable adversity, the Colonel had managed to keep the zoo operational and in better condition than anyone could reasonably have expected. But if Sawer had seemed ahead of his time in wanting the zoo to be seen primarily as an educational institution, the council had other priorities". The change of curators plunged the zoo into a pursuit of the animal entertainments Sawer had so strenuously resisted.

1950s

Robert W. Roach, 36, an English veterinarian took over as curator of the zoo in November 1949 with Sawer staying on as assistant curator until July 1950. Sawer died only nine months later aged 71, having lived in or around the zoo for the last 15 years of his life. Roach introduced a process of regularly opening new exhibits and postcards to the zoo. The next five years saw a commitment to increased expenditure by the Council with improvements to existing, or new enclosures for sun bears, wombats, echidnas, monkeys, tigers and birds.

Tragedy stuck the zoo twice in 1954 first with the death of Albert Barnett the zoo foreman. Barnett died after a finger became infected in what was initially thought to be a minor injury sustained at work. In August another staff member, 65 year old Frank Lane, who had also worked at the zoo since its opening like Barnett, was killed in a much publicised accident. Lane had just fed a young elephant, Kassala, and was climbing back through the rails between the stalls when Jamuna swung her truck knocking him into the wall and killing him instantly. Barnett had been Jamuna's regular keeper and it was reported she had been upset since his death. It is believed Lane's death was the result of a tragic accident rather than a deliberate attack. Jamuna spent the rest of her life without incident.

Aucklanders were now enjoying increased disposable income and free time; however, pubs, the cinema, and other attractions were still closed on Sundays and public holidays. Also a huge number of Aucklanders were in their 30's and 40's and had strong fond childhood memories of the zoo.

1955 saw the council call for the zoo to obtain chimpanzees for performing shows. The zoo was adding new attractions, a miniature train and in September two popular orangutans, Topsy and Turvey arrived. Four young performing chimpanzees arrived from Regent's Park Zoo in October and work was speedily completed on the construction of a chimpanzee performing area.

In June 1957, the zoo found itself on the verge of a special event with the birth of twin polar bear cubs. Although one of the cubs died shortly after birth, the surviving cub, Piwi, was in good health. However the cub was drowned when its mother was giving it swimming lessons, it was eleven weeks old. It is believed she held her cub too low on her chest. A stunned crowd watched as Piwi passed.

Roach resigned in 1958 taking up a position in Kenya. Under his time as Director the enclosures in the zoo had been advanced and basic hospital facilities, a quarantine area, better equipment, and service areas had been created. Roach made many recommendations for the zoo most notably the expansion into Western Springs park. The next two years saw the turn over of staff and the opening of a Children's Zoo.

1960s

The zoo's fortunes were looking up and in August 1960, Derek Wood from Chester Zoo was appointed as Zoo supervisor. Wood brought with him a male giraffe named John from England's Regent's Park Zoo for the establishment of a new herd. Wood's first report in 1961 was positive and called for pairing of animals, improvements to accommodations and a nocturnal house for New Zealand's national icon the kiwi. 310,500 people visited the zoo in this year. Also in 1961 a female Elephant, Malini, arrived from Singapore, she was a long awaited companion for Jamuna. Public feeding continued at the zoo and the perennial problems with rats, eels and flooding was still ongoing, there was pressure on the facilities and abultions, many were still the originals from opening and the first serious calls for expansion began.

A second group of four tea party chimpanzee's had arrived in 1959 and by February 1963 the council conceded that the tea parties had become unsafe to continue. However they had become established, popular and profitable and Wood was instructed to investigate importing more by the Council. Change in British legislation and the New Zealand Customs Department blocking of an import permit finally ending the parties with the final one taking place in May 1964. These chimpanzee displayed abnormal, anti social behaviour for the rest of their lives. One, Janie, now in her fifties remains at the zoo.

During 1962 and 1963 a mysterious skin ailment afflicted the polar bears which would not respond to treatment, a two adult males, Natuk and Brunus and an adult female Natasha had to be put down. Natasha was the mother of the only cub to survive to adulthood in the seventy years Auckland Zoo exhibited polar Bears. His name was Chimo and he was born in the early sixties. This period also saw the arrival of many animals some of which were the founders of current zoo troops, herds or groups. These included; a pregnant zebra, a female giraffe Anita, a pair of Bengal tigers, two young polar bears, a giant anteater, two capuchin monkeys and four spider monkeys. The giraffe and spider monkeys at the zoo today are descended from these imports.

Improvement of the buildings, exhibits and processes of the zoo were showing results with old cages and aviaries demolished and new gardens planted. However the most important undertaking was the formulation of a 25 year plan by the Council including an expansion into Western Springs park and a move to natural, moated, barless enclosures.

In September 1965 the zoo's star elephant Jamuna died. She was believed to be approximately 50 years old and carried over 750,000 guests. Less than a year later in May 1966 a visitor to the zoo decided to climb a safety barrier and the orangutan, Turvey grabbed him through a bar, biting him. The man received only minor wounds thanks to the intervention of a keeper who happen to be passing by.

The following year included a great number of new animal arrivals again. Including Indian antelope, white tailed deer and barbary sheep from Taronga Zoo, 23 keas from the South Island (two of which went to Dallas Zoo for three armadillos), 20 Australian lizards and two black leopard cubs. In April 1968, Ma Schwe, a female elephant came as a replacement for Jamuna.

The end of the 1960s saw a long term plan for where the zoo's administration, collection and grounds were headed. The zoo's original entrance on Old Mill Road (which had been in use since 1922) was closed with a side entrance opening on Motions Road.

1970s

The early 1970s brought an improvement to the grounds, exhibits and animal husbandry. Improvement in veterinarian practices and equipment, stopping of public feeding (1979) and more naturalistic enclosures lead to healthier, happier animals and subsequently breeding success increased.

Animals deemed unsuitable for Auckland were transferred or phased out (not actively breed) of the zoo's collection. Behavioural enrichments were first provided during this time.

The NZI Kiwi Nocturnal House was opened in May 1971 and was the first of its kind in New Zealand. It still exists today as BNZ Kiwi and Tuatara House. Expansion finally was approved in August with an extra 12 acres into Western Springs to be developed, work began in 1973. Kashin, a female Indian elephant arrived from Como Zoo in the US the same year (she is still at the Zoo in the Animal Planet Elephant Clearing). Two years later the first full time teacher at the zoo was employed.

A proposal for a rural or open range zoo was put forward for the housing and breeding of larger mammals. The proposal has been brought up periodically but never realised. Also in 1976 the first comprehensive course for keepers started at the Auckland Technical Institute.

The late 1970s included more developments at the zoo than any previous time. A new souvenir shop, cafeteria and enclosures for the giraffe, zebra and antelope were completed. Animal diets were being refined to today's standard when quality and varied ingredients are purchased and meals detailed to individual species. White rhino's and tamarins arrived for the first time.

1980s

A new Hippo enclosure (currently housing the female hippopotamus, Snorkel), the availability of animal "adoption" and transfer of zoo marketing to a professional organisation marked 1980.The following year saw the zoo's entrance moved again to its current location (since renovated) in a carpark off Motions Road and the construction begin on an improved animal hospital (completed in 1986 and since replaced by NZCCM). Fireworks in nearby Western Springs park were banned due to a giraffe, Lo Cecil's death. A year later the elephant, Ma Schwe died suddenly due to acute heart failure.

A larger Aquarium opened in 1982 (closed in December 2007). However visitor number started to show a decline partly due to the opening of a theme park, Rainbow's End and large scale Aquarium, Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in the Auckland area.

In January 1987 the new orangutan exhibit opened (currently part of the zoo's Just Juice Primate Trail), which now holds one of the zoo's two present Orangutan groups and zoo visitors began to rise again. At the time it was the zoo's most impressive and costly ever exhibit designed to be moated and barless. However a much more spectacular short term exhibit was being investigated.

In 1986 the Chinese Government offered Australian Prime Minister Hawke a pair of giant pandas on loan for Australia's bi-centenary celebrations. They organised a three month stay in Melbourne Zoo and a three month stay in Taronga Zoo, Sydney. Auckland Zoo quickly investigated the feasibility of a third stop in Auckland. The Council agreed the two pandas should have every facility for their well being and an enclosure was quickly built (which currently holds the second group of orangutan). The giant pandas arrived at the zoo in October 1988, a four year old male, Xiao Xiao and a three year old female Fei Fei for a popular three months. Over 300,000 saw the giant pandas during their stay.

Recent history

The other of the two current female Indian elephants at the zoo, Burma arrived in 1990, with the Elephant Clearing exhibit beginning construction soon after. It is large moated enclosure with a modern elephant house and pool in which the animals can completely submerge.

The following 15 years has seen the transformation of the zoo into its present state predominately filled with moated, barless, naturalistic enclosures. The Newstalk ZB Rainforest opened in 1996 adjacent to the original Elephant house, exhibiting primarily Primate species. One year later the Pridelands area of the zoo opened including a small refreshments stand, (Lion's Larder), the Lion Hill water moated exhibit, (with no bars between visitor and the zoo's pride of lions) and enclosures for the large African mammals namely giraffe, rhino and zebra.

In the early 2000s the zoo completed Sealion and Penguin Shores. The sealion pool is a filtered salt water tank with a circulating supply. The exhibit includes a New Zealand shore birds aviary. Also finished in this period was Hippo River an area of the zoo which showcases animals in a simulated African wetland.

Exhibits

Auckland Zoo currently has approximately 179 species of animals totaling 1300 individuals and covers approximately 50 acres. The zoo is organized into exhibition areas grouped due to region of origin, taxonomy or biome. They are as follows:

*Animal Planet Elephant Clearing - This is the home of the zoo's two female Indian elephants, Kashin and Burma.

*Aussie Walkabout - Wallabies, kangaroos and emu share a mixed walk through exhibit which leads to an Australian bird aviary featuring rainbow lorikeets.

*BNZ Kiwi and Tuatara house - This nocturnal house features native New Zealand species. Kiwis, tuataras and an endemic owl species, the morepork, can be seen here.

*Hippo River - This area of the zoo has been made to imitate an African wetland environment. It features hippopotamus, serval, chamca baboons, cheetahs and flamingos.

*Just Juice Primate Trail - Auckland's two families of Bornean orangutans can be found in this part of the zoo along with the ring-tailed lemurs.

*Native Frog Research Centre - This center attempts to recreate the frog's native habitat.

*Newstalk ZB Rainforest - Full of naturalistic exhibits this area boasts tarantula's, agouti, fruit bats and primate species namely; golden lion tamarins, cotton topped tamarins, spider monkeys, siamang gibbons and bonnet macaques.
*Paddlepop Kidzone - This the children's zoo and has a play area, plus small and rural animals.

*Pridelands - The large African mammals and Ostriches are kept here. Giraffes, zebras, springboks, white rhino and Auckland's pride of five lions are the features.

*Sealion and Penguin Shores - Home to californian sea lions, New Zealand fur seals, a sub antarctic fur seal, little blue penguins and several shore birds.

*Tiger Territory - Auckland Zoo features two rare Sumatran tigers, a male called Oz and a female called Molek. Oz is kept in a private enclosure completed in 2006. Molek is in a large enclosure which dates back to 1922 and originally housed up to two prides of lions. It has been extensively renovated. On June 12, 2008 Molek gave birth to three tiger cubs. Initially, it was believed only one tiger cub had been born but two more were seen several days later.

New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM)

The NZCCM was opened on August 10, 2007. This NZD $4.6 million, 980 m² state-of-the-art facility is the first national centre for conservation medicine in the world.

The operating theatre is visible to the public and surgery is sent via cameras above the operating table to screens in the gallery, researchers can also be watched while at work.

The viewing gallery features displays, with a range of specimens including, preserved remains of animals that required amputation or small animals have been mounted in the past, information about the transmission of diseases between humans and animals, microscopic images projected on a large screen (controlled by the visitor) and the different anatomy of various species. The zoo describes conservation medicine as, "A practice that addresses the connections between our (human) health, with the health of animals and the environment".

Conservation

The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund supports a number of conservation programs, both overseas and in New Zealand. The currently supported overseas projects are a turtle and tortoise programme in Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam, the Sumatran orangutan Project and the Sumatran tiger. Other past projects include the sun bear.

Local conservation projects include the "Ark In The Park" project in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges and the Waipoua Forest Trust in New Zealand's Northland Region. There are also captive breeding programs to support the kiwi recovery program and the tuatara. Other programmes involve the weta, the kākā (one of New Zealand's native parrots), the kererū (wood pigeon), the brown teal, the blue duck and Archey's frog.

The zoo also plays a major role in educating school children about both their own environment and the animal kingdom in general. Another feature offered by the zoo are function facilities including an overnight stay option as well as behind the scenes and twilight tours.

While the zoo is funded by the Auckland City Council, Aucklanders can also support their zoo in a number of ways. People can volunteer at the zoo, can "Adopt An Animal" and become "Friends Of The Zoo".

Future Projects

Te Wao Nui is a planned NZD $16.2 million development due to open in Early 2010. Te Wao Nui, (meaning the living realm in Te Reo Maori), will have five distinct ecological areas and take up almost a third of the Zoo's area.

It aims to provide visitor's a chance to Explore, Connect and Protect. It also aims to be a living record of New Zealand's history, integrating key facets of early European settlement, such as the North Island's kauri log dams, New Zealand's whitebaiting culture, and pioneering work in predator control.

Te Wao Nui will be home to over 75 native species and over 100 plant species.

References

*Wood, Derek (1992) "A Tiger by the Tail: A History of Auckland Zoo 1922 - 1992" (Auckland City Council)
* [http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/ Auckland Zoo] Official Site

Gallery

External links

* [http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/ Auckland Zoo] Official Site
* [http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/default.asp?sectionID=73 Zoo Map]
* [http://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=549 List of Elephants (including images) that have been held at Auckland Zoo]