Junior School Zoo Trip:
We are definitely fortunate to have such an awesome resource available to us in Auckland. Auckland Zoo is nationally and internationally respected.
Key statistics
- A leading New Zealand centre for wildlife conservation
- Internationally recognised breeding programmes for critically endangered species
- More than 700,000 visitors a year
- Contributes more than 10,000 hours a year working with conservation partners
- Home to 153 different species (55 of these are native species) and 1,701 individual animals
Auckland Zoo opened in 1922 with animals purchased by the City from a private collection in Onehunga. At that time, Auckland's population was only 85,000.
One hundred years later, Auckland's population is 1,600,000, and our Zoo is home to 153 different species and over 1,701 animals, making it the largest and most significant collection of native and exotic wildlife in New Zealand. It is proudly CarboNZero, and is at the leading edge of wildlife research, conservation work, education programmes, and innovative exhibits.
As well as caring for the wildlife in the Zoo, Auckland Zoo is part of a global network of zoos, using Zoo resources and expertise to help conserve wildlife in wild places in New Zealand and all over the world.
It would be fair to say that not much of that meant much to our juniors when they visited.
But what they saw and experienced mattered greatly to them. The wide-eyed wonder, good questions and general excitement were all wonderful to witness.
The best animal photos below were taken by Adele Nummy. Adele was filled with every bit as much wide-eyed excitement as any of our five-year-olds.
