flying foxes » Auckland Zoo

10-11-2008

Of cause the Zoo used to have Tahr - where the old entrance was when it first opened and Snow Leopards would be so cool, though I suspect not that likely. Don't remember seeing them in the species plan. Shame.

12-11-2008

No its fanastic to have someone so in the know about the zoo on the forum (I'm guessing you work there..?)

Don't get me wrong Te Wao Nui is fanastic and I'm all for as large a zoo as possible... That Asian precinct sounds almost as good too, once that area is completed almost the entire zoo (ans certainly all the major areas) would have been renovated since 1987 and aligned into cohesive collections..! If only New Zealand as a whole had such a great master plan..!

12-11-2008

The problem with master plans is turing them into reality. The precinct approach was actually first mooted in the late 1980's and again in the mid-1990's. I think the Asian Precinct will depend to a great extent on the success (or otherwise) of Te Wao Nui. Hopefully it will all go well and the zoo will be keen to start the next big project. It is also a case that rennovations and new developments is an on-going thing. No sonner have you finished TWN or an Asian Precinct then PrideLands will need refurbishment/ development. The demand is never ending but the resources (staff and energy as well as the more obvious financial) is often in short supply.

15-11-2008

Ah but once the overwhelming majority of the zoo dates from 1987 the refurbs and upgrades will hopefully be more minor allowing for concentration and development of the collection along well prescribed guidelines.