MEDIA RELEASE

1 September 2005

Tongue-tastic times ahead these school holidays!

Auckland Zoo’s Streets Tongue-Tastic holiday programme (24 September – 9 October), in association with 91ZM, is sure to entertain, educate and amaze children about the many uses of the mouth’s marvellous, muscular appendage – the tongue.

Friendly pirate Captain Tongue Tied and his pal Paddlepop Lion will lead a fascinating discovery of the tongue, including its numerous uses and adaptations that help animals survive.

They will also get young kiwi tongues wagging about conservation of native species, and how kids can help the cause by not letting pets lick animals like the kiwi into oblivion!

While following a twisting tongue-trail through the zoo, kids’ keen eyes can catch sight of tongues of all shapes and sizes inside animals’ mouths doing what comes naturally – zapping prey, grooming and tasting.

During a daily interactive show (at 10.15am and noon at Paddlepop Kidzone), the challenge will be on to unravel Captain Tongue Tied’s tricky tongue twisters and to take part in an array of fun and games.

And as well as the chance to win an awesome daily prize pack, every child will receive fun giveaways and tasty treats. The Black Thunder crew from 91ZM will also be dropping by with competitions and exciting prizes.

Normal admission prices apply. For more information, go to www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or phone the zoo Infoline on (09) 360 3819.

ENDS

About Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 1000 animals and 178 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 focus the Zoo’s resources to benefit conservation and provide exciting visitor experiences which inspire and empower people to take positive action for wildlife and the environment". Auckland Zoo’s Charitable Trust is currently fundraising for the establishment of a New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine, to be built at the Zoo in 2006. Auckland Zoo is a member of both the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria (ARAZPA) and the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).

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