Auckland City Council

Future of elephants takes a big step forward

Plans for the future of elephants in Auckland took a step forward today.

The Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee has endorsed a proposal, which would see the Auckland Zoo incorporate two areas of Western Springs Lakeside Park for the establishment of an elephant herd.

The proposed areas, which run adjacent to the Zoo’s current elephant enclosure, will include an exercise area, a new elephant bull house, a public viewing area and boardwalk.

Chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, Councillor Greg Moyle says, “extending the elephant’s area will mean that not only do zoo visitors get to see these amazing animals, visitors to one of Auckland’s favourite open spaces will as well”.

Asian elephants are highly intelligent and social animals that form close bonds between other individuals within the herd. Auckland Zoo has one non-breeding female elephant, Burma. Burma’s companion Kashin died in August 2009.

Burma needs companionship for her continued health and welfare, which is being closely monitored, and the zoo is committed to the development of an elephant herd at Auckland Zoo.

Chairman of the Zoo Board, Councillor Graeme Mulholland says, “Auckland Zoo is the only place where New Zealanders can view Asian elephants. The endorsement of this proposal is an exciting step in ensuring this continues”.

The new elephant space will require a change to the Auckland District Plan. This will be a publicly notified plan change process. It is anticipated that the plan

Editors notes:
o Auckland Zoo and elephants go back 80 years.
o Burma will need a companion in the near future, without which she will need to be moved to a zoo outside New Zealand.
o Auckland Zoo has investigated options to provide for an elephant herd within its existing site but given the intensive use of the site and other initiatives such as the proposed native species precinct, this is not considered possible.
o Auckland Zoo currently does not have the room or facilities for an elephant breeding group. To provide properly for elephants, substantially greater space will be required along with housing and resources to care for up to ten elephants in separate areas.
o Having elephants at Auckland Zoo plays an important role in connecting zoo visitors with wildlife, and inspiring them to care about and ultimately take positive action for wildlife and wild habitats. They enable us to advocate for the greater conservation needs of the South East Asian region including the Wildlife Protection Units (WPUs) in Bukit Tigapuluh, which is home to approximately 140 Asian elephants, which work to protect and carry out research about elephants.
o These protection units have played an important role in boosting the elephant population in this area.
o Auckland Zoo’s approach to elephant conservation will build on their Conservation Fund support of conservation projects in the wild in the South East Asian region.

ends

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