Conservation experts take over Wellington Zoo for a day

Conservation experts take over Wellington Zoo for a day

Wellington Zoo's global and local conservation partners are taking over Wellington Zoo for a very extraordinary day.

On Saturday 8 April, Wellington Zoo’s conservation partners, having come from as far afield as Brazil and Nepal, will be running special activities at the Zoo’s Wild Ideas Takeover Day.

“Wellington Zoo can only support conservation groups locally and globally through the support and generosity of Wellingtonians, so we look forward to Wellington having the chance to meet our partners and hear first-hand how support from Wellingtonians is helping animals in the wild all around the world,” says Karen Fifield MNZM, Chief Executive, Wellington Zoo.

“We are so excited for Wellingtonians to show their typical friendly warm welcome to our conservation partners, some of whom have travelled a long way to be with us. Connecting people with animal conservation is the most important part of what we do so I can’t wait for our visitors to meet our global and national partners,” says Karen.

“All the animal talks on Saturday will be delivered by our conservation partners, so it’s a great opportunity to hear from people working to save these animals around the world. It’s also fantastic for our partners to get to visit Wellington Zoo and to spend time with our visitors,” says Amy Hughes, Wellington Zoo’s General Manager Community Engagement.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from our partners about their experiences with animals in the field and the people who work to save animals in the wild. I have a soft spot for little monkeys so I am particularly keen on hearing from Proyecto Titi who work with Cotton Top Tamarins in Colombia and the Golden Lion Tamarin Association from Brazil,” says Amy.

“Visitors who have been lucky enough to book Close Encounters on Saturday may have a special guest join them to talk about the programmes and animals directly benefitting from money raised by the Zoo’s Close Encounters. With Lemurs, Red Pandas and Cheetahs all part of our Close Encounters, visitors will be making direct links with our partners from Cheetah Outreach, Red Panda Network, and the Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group.”

Zoo visitors will also have the opportunity to spend time talking with the Zoo’s conservation partners at Q&A sessions in Kamala’s throughout the day. There will be a photo booth at Meet the Locals He Tuku Aroha where visitors will be able to take an ‘unselfie’ in support of the Zoo’s conservation work, and there will be a range of fun conservation-themed craft activities, like making recycled paper and designing reusable tote bags.

A full schedule of the day can be found here: http://bit.ly/2oyFTdX

Normal entry fee and Close Encounter charges apply.

ends

© Scoop Media