Auckland Zoo facts for kids

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Auckland Zoo

Zoo entrance on Motions Road
Date opened	16 December 1922; 102 years ago (1922-12-16)
Location	Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand
Land area	16.35 hectares (40 acres)
Coordinates	36°51′44″S 174°43′08″E / 36.86218°S 174.718924°E / -36.86218; 174.718924
No. of animals	1,400+
No. of species	135
Annual visitors	716,327 (Jul 2012 – Jun 2013)
Memberships	ZAA
Major exhibits	Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, South America, Te Wao Nui, KidZone

Auckland Zoo (Māori: Rawhi Whakaaturanga o Tāmaki Makaurau) is a 16.35-hectare (40-acre) zoological garden in Auckland, New Zealand. It's located right next to Western Springs Park, not far from Auckland's city center. The Auckland Council runs the zoo, with help from the Zoological Society of Auckland.

Auckland Zoo first opened its doors in 1922. It had some tough times early on, mostly with animals getting sick. By 1930, the zoo had many animals, and a special society was formed to support it. The zoo kept going strong during World War II. After the war, even more animals joined the collection.

In the 1950s, chimpanzees were brought in to perform tea parties for visitors. But this practice stopped in 1964 because people realized it wasn't good for the animals. In 1973, the zoo grew bigger, expanding into the nearby Western Springs Park.

Since the late 1980s, many old animal homes were replaced with modern, natural-looking enclosures. In 2011, the zoo opened its biggest new area, Te Wao Nui. This special part of the zoo shows off New Zealand's unique native plants and animals.

The zoo is set up into different areas. These areas are usually based on where the animals come from, their type, or their natural habitat. Auckland Zoo is also very involved in conservation work, especially for New Zealand species. They also do research and teach people about animals and nature. The zoo has modern facilities like the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM).

Auckland Zoo is a full member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA). In 2007, it received a special award (ISO 14001) for its excellent Environmental Management System.

Discovering Auckland Zoo's Past
Exploring the Zoo: Tracks and Habitats
Auckland Zoo Centre for Conservation Medicine (AZCCM)
Helping Animals and Nature: Conservation Efforts
Learning at the Zoo
Images for kids
See also

Discovering Auckland Zoo's Past

This newspaper article from June 1922 talks about needing a zoo for Auckland.

How Auckland Zoo Began

In 1911, a businessman named J.J. Boyd bought land in Onehunga, Auckland, to start the city's first zoo. He had already opened a zoo near Wanganui in 1910.

Boyd's Onehunga Zoo often caused problems for the local council. Neighbors complained about the noise and smells. The council tried to close it many times. Finally, new rules forced Boyd to close his zoo in 1922. The Auckland City Council then bought the remaining animals for £800. These animals became the first residents of the new, permanent zoo at Western Springs.

The Early Years: 1920s and 1930s

Auckland Zoo officially opened on Saturday, December 16, 1922. The Governor-General, Lord Jellicoe, and Auckland's mayor, James Gunson, were there. A large crowd came to see the new zoo. At that time, Western Springs was about 4 miles (6 km) from the city center, in a more rural area. People were very excited about the new zoo.

The zoo started with £10,000. In 1923, staff quickly planted 5,000 trees to make the grounds beautiful. They also planned new homes for monkeys, polar bears, and birds of prey. Money was spent on a bandstand, hippopotamus pools, an elephant house, and a refreshment stand.

L.T. Griffin was the zoo's first supervisor. In 1923, he traveled to Africa to bring back new animals. The zoo grew quickly. Its first animal star was Jamuna, a female Indian elephant. You can still see her influence today in the name Jamuna Plaza at the back of the modern zoo.

By 1927, the zoo had 250 mammals of 80 species, over 1000 birds of 130 species, and 24 reptiles of 6 species. Animal deaths were common back then, but the zoo was also seeing positive changes. Many popular enclosures were finished, and people kept donating animals. In 1928, 25 mammals and 62 birds were born at the zoo, which was great news. By the end of the 1920s, the zoo was well-established.

In 1929, the Auckland Zoological Society was formed to encourage scientific study.

In November 1930, the zoo's first male elephant, Rajah, arrived from Hobart Zoo in Australia. He was very big. Rajah stayed for six years before he became too difficult to control and was put down. His skeleton is now on display at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

In 1931, animal deaths dropped a lot because of better homes and care. In 1936, Lt. Col. E. R. Sawer became the new curator. He believed zoos should be about education, science, and conservation. He made many changes, focusing on better diets and vitamins for the animals. This helped animals breed more and get sick less often.

Surviving War and Growing: 1940s and 1950s

During World War II (1939-1945), the zoo struggled to survive. Fewer people visited, and it was hard to get new animals or enough food for them. The zoo focused on local animals. When American soldiers arrived in 1942, many visited the zoo, which helped.

After the war, the zoo still faced challenges. But in 1948, new building projects were approved. By 1949, the zoo had 165 mammals, 329 birds, and 19 reptiles. A small aquarium was built. The zoo also finally got permission to show kiwis, New Zealand's national bird.

In the late 1940s, the council wanted animal shows. Sawer was against this, but he was nearing retirement. He wanted the zoo to focus on education.

In November 1949, Robert W. Roach, an English veterinarian, became the new curator. He started opening new exhibits regularly. The council spent more money on improving homes for sun bears, wombats, echidnas, monkeys, tigers, and birds.

In 1954, there were two sad accidents. First, the zoo foreman, Albert Barnett, died from an infection after a minor injury. Then, Frank Lane, who had worked at the zoo since it opened, was killed by the elephant Jamuna. It was believed to be a tragic accident.

In 1955, the council asked the zoo to get chimpanzees for shows. Two popular orangutans, Topsy and Turvey, arrived. Four young performing chimpanzees named Jane, Josie, Minnie, and Bobby also arrived. They were later joined by four more.

In 1957, twin polar bear cubs were born. One died, and the other, Piwi, drowned during a swimming lesson with its mother.

Roach resigned in 1958. He had made many improvements, including basic hospital facilities and a quarantine area. He also suggested expanding into Western Springs Park. The zoo later opened a children's zoo.

Modernizing and Conservation: 1960s to 2000s

In 1960, Derek Wood from Chester Zoo became the new supervisor. He brought a male giraffe named John to start a new herd. In 1961, a female elephant, Malini, arrived to be Jamuna's companion.

The chimpanzee tea parties became unsafe by 1963 and finally stopped in May 1964. These chimpanzees showed unusual behavior for the rest of their lives.

Between 1962 and 1963, a skin problem affected the polar bears, and three had to be put down. However, many new animals arrived, including a pregnant zebra, a female giraffe, Bengal tigers, and two young polar bears.

In 1965, the zoo's star elephant, Jamuna, died at about 50 years old. She had carried over 750,000 guests. In 1968, a new female elephant, Ma Schwe, arrived.

The zoo started a 25-year plan to expand into Western Springs Park and build natural, barless enclosures. The original entrance on Old Mill Road closed, and a new one opened on Motions Road.

The 1970s brought better animal care and equipment. Public feeding stopped in 1979. More natural enclosures led to healthier animals and more successful breeding. The NZI Kiwi Nocturnal House opened in 1971, the first of its kind in New Zealand. Expansion into Western Springs was approved in 1973. Kashin, a female Indian elephant, arrived from the US that same year. The zoo also hired its first full-time teacher.

In the late 1970s, a new souvenir shop, cafeteria, and enclosures for giraffes, zebras, and antelopes were built. Animal diets were improved. White rhinoceros and tamarins arrived for the first time.

The 1980s saw the zoo's entrance move to its current location. A new animal hospital was built. Fireworks in nearby Western Springs Park were banned after a giraffe died. The elephant Ma Schwe also died suddenly.

A larger aquarium opened in 1982, but it closed in 2007. In the mid-1980s, new chimpanzees arrived from Taronga Zoo and formed a group with the younger chimps. They had two babies, Lucifer and Luka.

In 1987, a new orangutan exhibit opened. It was the zoo's most impressive and costly exhibit at the time, designed to be moated and barless.

In 1988, two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Fei Fei, visited the zoo for three popular months. Over 300,000 people came to see them. In 1989, the first orangutan in New Zealand, a female named Intan, was born.

In 1990, Burma, the zoo's current female Asian elephant, arrived. A large, moated enclosure with a modern elephant house and pool was built for her.

The last polar bears died in 1995, and their old exhibit was removed. Other animals like wombats, pumas, jaguars, and leopards were also phased out.

In 1998, the zoo's lions moved to a new area. After renovations, two-year-old Sumatran tiger siblings, Nisha and Malu, arrived from Wellington Zoo.

Pridelands opened in 1997, featuring a new savannah exhibit for giraffes, zebras, and ostriches, plus a rhino exhibit and Lion Hill. In 1998, it expanded to include a new hippopotamus exhibit. The zoo decided to phase out hippos by sending surplus males overseas.

In 1999, new rhinos arrived from South Africa to improve the genetics of the white rhino population in Australasia.

The 2000s and Beyond

In the 2000s, the zoo continued to welcome new animals and have successful breeding programs.

In 2000, a white rhino calf named Kito was born, the first female white rhino born in New Zealand.
New orangutans arrived in 2001, and one gave birth to a son, Madju, in 2005.
Asian small-clawed otters had many pups, and red pandas also had twins and triplets.
Siamang gibbons had twins in 2003, the first in Australasia.
Lionesses gave birth to many cubs in 2001 and 2004.
In 2001, a flock of flamingo chicks arrived from the UK.
The Sea Lion and Penguin Shores opened in 2001, featuring a large saltwater tank with an underwater viewing window.
Servals, giraffes, and zebras also had successful births.
In 2004, the chimpanzee troop moved to Hamilton Zoo, leaving Janie as the last "Tea Party Chimp." She died in 2013 at age 60.
In 2006, cheetah brothers Anubis and Osiris arrived from South Africa. They are walked daily around the zoo.
The New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM) opened in 2007.
Sumatran tigers had triplets in 2008, the first born at Auckland Zoo.
Meerkat pups were born in 2008.
In 2009, Kashin the elephant, who had been at the zoo since 1972, was put down due to health issues. A record 18,000 people visited the zoo on the day of her celebration.

In the 2010s, the zoo continued to grow and improve.

More giraffe calves were born, and a new giraffe house was completed in 2014.
The Tropics exhibit opened in 2010, providing a new home for American alligators and golden lion tamarins.
In 2010, a female red panda, Khosuva, was sent to Darjeeling Zoo for a breeding program to release offspring into the wild.
In 2011, Auckland Zoo completed its largest project, Te Wao Nui. This area focuses entirely on New Zealand's unique plants and animals.
In 2014, two flamingo chicks were successfully hatched, a world first for a zoo breeding from an entirely hand-reared flock.
In 2014, the zoo also successfully bred and raised twin lesser short-tailed bats, a species unique to New Zealand.
In April 2014, Auckland Zoo opened a new exhibit for four Tasmanian devils. They are part of a special program to help this endangered species.
In 2015, two young female capybaras arrived from Adelaide Zoo.
In 2015, the zoo announced that a new Asian elephant, Anjalee, would join Burma as a companion.
In 2016, the zoo celebrated the birth of two Nepalese red panda cubs, important for their endangered species.
In 2016, the new $3.2 million 'Strangely Beautiful Australia' development opened. It features giant stick insects, eastern long-necked turtles, redback spiders, and vibrant Australian birds.
In January 2017, twin giraffe calves were born, a very rare event. Sadly, the male calf was very weak and did not survive. The female calf was named Kabili.
In 2017, a greater flamingo chick hatched, only the second time in the zoo's history.
In April 2017, the zoo's male Rothschild giraffe Zabulu had to be put down due to health issues. This left the zoo with three female giraffes.

Exploring the Zoo: Tracks and Habitats

Auckland Zoo is home to over 1,400 animals from 135 different species, covering 16.35 hectares (40.4 acres). The zoo is divided into exhibition areas based on where the animals come from.

Ostrich eggs at Auckland Zoo in 2012.

Africa Safari Track – Here, you can see giraffes, plains zebras, and common ostriches sharing a large enclosure. Nyala, waterbuck, and southern white rhinoceros share another enclosure. There's a walk-through aviary with masked lovebirds, meerkats, Cape porcupines, and leopard tortoises. You can also see African lions, greater flamingos, hamadryas baboons, cheetahs, and servals.
Australia Bush Track – This area starts with a walk-through habitat for red-necked wallabies and emus. Then, you'll find an aviary with colorful rainbow lorikeets and Gouldian finches. Inside, there's a room with lace monitors, redback spiders, and giant goliath stick insects. The track also has a Tasmanian devil habitat and brolga enclosure.
Elephant Habitat – This was the home of Burma, the zoo's only Asian elephant. It has a pool with a waterfall and a mud wallow. Burma is expected to move to another zoo soon.
South East Asia Jungle Track – Siamangs and Bornean orangutans live in large exhibits with aerial pathways up to 25 meters high. There's also a warm, humid tropical dome that looks like an Indonesian swamp forest, home to Sunda gharials and other reptiles and fish. You can also see Sumatran tigers and Asian small-clawed otters here.
South America Rainforest Track – This area has natural-looking exhibits. You'll find different monkey species like black-handed spider monkeys, golden lion tamarins, and black-capped squirrel monkeys. Other animals include American alligators, green iguanas, cotton-top tamarins, and emperor tamarins. The renovated Galápagos tortoise exhibit is also in this area.
Te Wao Nui – This special area means "the living realm" in Māori. It shows six different New Zealand environments: The Coast, The Islands, The Wetlands, The Night, The Forest, and The High Country. It's home to over 60 native New Zealand animals, including subantarctic fur seals, little penguins, tuataras, North Island brown kiwis, keas, and takahē. This area also features 110 different native New Zealand plant species.
Other Animals – You can also find ring-tailed lemurs and red pandas at the zoo.

Auckland Zoo Centre for Conservation Medicine (AZCCM)

The Auckland Zoo Centre for Conservation Medicine.

The AZCCM opened in 2007. It's a special facility that cost NZD $4.6 million and is the first national center for conservation medicine in the world. You can watch surgeries through cameras above the operating table, with the images shown on screens in the public gallery. You can also see researchers at work.

The viewing gallery has exhibits with animal specimens and information about how diseases can pass between humans and animals. Conservation medicine is about understanding the links between human health, animal health, and the environment.

Helping Animals and Nature: Conservation Efforts

The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund started in 2000. It helps fund conservation projects in 12 important regions, both in New Zealand and overseas. In New Zealand, they focus on the Coast, Islands, Wetlands, Night, Forest, and High Country. Internationally, they support projects in Africa, Nepal, Pacific Islands, South America, Southeast Asia, and Sri Lanka.

Auckland Zoo helps conservation through breeding programs, education, and research. Zoo staff also travel to help projects in New Zealand and other countries, sharing their special skills.

In 2009, Auckland Zoo stopped selling Cadbury products because the company used palm oil. Palm oil production causes damage to rainforests in Southeast Asia, which are home to animals like the Sumatran tiger and orangutan. This decision, supported by Wellington Zoo and many people online, led Cadbury to remove palm oil from its products.

In 2010, Auckland Zoo sent a female red panda, Khosuva, to Darjeeling Zoo in India. She joined a breeding program to help repopulate India's Singalalia National Park. Her offspring might be released into the wild.

Learning at the Zoo

The zoo helps teach school children about their environment and the animal kingdom at the Discovery and Learning Centre. The zoo also offers special experiences like overnight stays, twilight tours (Safari Nights), and behind-the-scenes tours.

The Junior ZooKeeper program lets children aged 6–13 experience what it's like to be a zookeeper for a day. During school holidays, kids can help clean, feed, and care for various zoo animals.