I've never been there. It appears to be just your typical small local zoo. I know it has/had small-clawed otters, meerkats, wallabies, alpacas and llamas, capuchins, tuatara, and a variety of aviary birds and farm-stock.
It looks like the zoo may not be closed . . a few parties have expressed interest in working to save the place.
heck, i'd pay 6 bucks for a kid if i got to see otters and monkeys. . . and it is noted for it's allowing kids to touch many of the animals. but the collection is not all that great.
I was just talking to a Nelsonite yesterday. The zoo is apparently very popular in Nelson and is a great place to take the kids. There has it seems been a bit of outcry over its potential closure, so it may stay open after all.
Bit of info! Ricky has nowhere to go as zoo closes - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz Axe falls on Nelson zoo - New Zealand, world, sport, business & entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz
The Natureland zoo will remain open . . probably likely to expand and improve . . . Radio New Zealand News : Latest News : 200807101205 : Future of Nelson zoo secured The Nelson Mail - The Nelson Mail
A $60.000 loss in 2010, seems like small tuppence compared to what the site is worth financially to the Nelson area or its community. Looking at Nelson Council subventions' history you can almost begin to predict a shortfall figure to the level mentioned for 2010. With that in mind, I remain - unequivocally - an advocate for community spending and involvement of councils in the financial side of running a zoo facility/ experience and subventions.
I was not implying anything of that sort. Just that for a few dollars less the Council lets the facility slip, including the entire grounds, exhibitry and animal collection. If you add up the figures over the figures, what the site is worth in financials inclusive of everyone and everything, it looks a like wasting a capital investment made in and through the years. Coming from Aotearoa one should understand that more than economic, but holistic approach to perceiving the world around us. It is not for a lack of capital, but a lack of vision and political will if this facility goes to waste.