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277:. It opened in 1976, and is owned and operated by the Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charity. The aims of the Trust are to provide quality recreational opportunities for local people and visitors to Christchurch; conserve endangered native and exotic wildlife; educate visitors (especially children) about environmental and conservation issues; and support research relating to endangered animals.
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September 2013 when a severe gale wreaked havoc across
Christchurch. This event left the zoo without power, water and communications for 8 days and closed to the public for 10 days. Despite the setbacks, visitor numbers progressively started to recover to pre-quake levels and staff set about creating significant new additions.
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philanthropic trusts, private donors and bequests. As of 2017, over $ 15M has been raised to develop the Park. All buildings and enclosures except the Great Ape Centre have been built in-house. Many local businesses have assisted in the Park's construction by donating materials, consultancy and equipment.
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Orana suffered from a range of further damaging events. These included two floods, three major snow storms causing extensive exhibit damage including a power spike that blew many of the Park's switch boards. Additionally, four gale-force wind events occurred, the most significant of which happened in
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In
October 2008, Orana took over the operation of Nelson's Natureland Zoo. The facility was due to close earlier that year. In December 2008, a new meerkat exhibit was created and a porcupine habitat opened in December 2010. Orana announced in 2012 that they were looking for new owners for Natureland
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Two pairs of rare
Scimitar-horned oryx were transferred in 1979. Oryx symbolise what the Park's founders hoped for when Orana was formed. Oryx were declared extinct in the wild in 1984 but captive breeding programmes resulted in the species being re-established in protected areas. Orana was the first
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One of the most popular additions to the zoo occurred in 1991 with the arrival of meerkats. Due to a
Telecom advertising campaign featuring these animals, visitation for the exhibit opening was one of the biggest days on record. These animals moved into a new exhibit named Kopje Rock which now also
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Asian small clawed otters arrived in 2000. A new habitat, near the meerkats, was created for them. Brown teal, a threatened native species, were added in 2004 and have become a key conservation focus. Pateke ducklings reared at Orana have regularly been released to the wild. The singing
Siamang
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A significant shift in direction occurred in 1995. The present administration building, and large carpark, was opened. This resulted in the entrance of the zoo moving to middle of the Park. Visitors could no longer drive their cars through Orana. Rather, they walked or utilised a safari shuttle
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A walk-through native bird aviary, complete with waterfall, was opened in 1994. This was built by the South Island
Zoological Society. The aviary is home to a wide range of forest birds such as tūī, kererū, kākāriki and bellbird. Recently, tuatara and freshwater crayfish have been added to the
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Upon opening, Orana's main drawcard was the drive-through Lion
Reserve, the first and only one of its type in New Zealand. The drive-through Lion Reserve operated from 1976 until 1995. Today, Orana operates a "Lion Encounter" and the experience is an 'historical nod' to the drive-through days.
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Orana contributes to breed for release recovery programmes for kiwi, blue duck (whio) and brown teal (pateke). To date, over 80 pateke, 50 whio and 23 kiwi from Orana have been released to the wild. Additionally, the Park attracts a range of native species to live in the Park grounds (such as
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From 2010 until 2013, the zoo was closed for over 40 days, on nine separate occasions. Orana was fortunate to re-open after the devastating
Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with little physical damage. The main impact of the earthquakes was significantly reduced visitation/income as
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The world's fastest land mammal, the cheetah, arrived in 1988 and since that time Orana has been involved in the zoo-based breeding programme for these swift cats. Cheetah have become one of Orana's flagship conservation species and over 24 cats have been raised to adulthood. Cheetah are a
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Orana generates over 95% of its income through gate takings and other trading activities. Fundraising is an essential focus; Orana must separately raise 100% of funds for all capital projects, improvements and animal transfers. Funds have been donated from a variety of sources, including
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White rhinoceros were transferred to Orana in 1986. The addition of tuatara in 1987 commenced a focus on native reptiles that continued the following year with the creation of a new
Reptile House. Orana presently maintains a comprehensive public collections of native geckos.
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The South Island's first kiwi house was created in 1984. Today, Orana plays an important role in the captive component of the recovery programme. Over 20 kiwi from Orana have been released to the wild and chicks have also been transferred to other captive centres.
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Ibutho, New
Zealand's first ever rhino calf, was born at Orana in 1999. This was a significant achievement as the reproductive rate of captive born rhinos in zoos is very low. To date, three rhino calves have been bred at Orana (the others in 2010 and 2014).
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In 1977, Timber Wolves arrived and the Farmyard was also created. Wolves were a visitor favourite for many years and the interactive Farmyard continues to be popular. In 1978, an island home was created for spider monkeys, the zoo's first species of primate.
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A walk-through kea habitat opened in 2009. The habitat simulates a regenerating beech forest. Visitors walk along a board-walk and exit through a musterer's hut, the main interpretation hub for the habitat. Four kea chicks have been bred in the aviary.
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Gypsy horses arrived in 2014. An outreach partnership was formed with Gypsy Royal Stud where Orana's horses are managed as part of the Stud's programme. The horses' arrival started a shift to rare/interesting breeds of domestic stock in the Farmyard.
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In 1996 New Zealand whio (blue duck) were added. Whio have become one of the Park's most important conservation species. Orana has regularly bred these highly threatened native birds for release to the wild, in various locations in the North Island.
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Orana is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the Zoo Aquarium Association of Australasia (ZAA) and ZAA NZ. Through these memberships, Orana participates in managed breeding programmes for the species they hold.
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Orana opened New Zealand's biggest Tasmanian devil habitat in December 2014. The Park joined the Save the Tasmanian Devil Programme raising awareness on these carnivorous marsupials that are threatened due to a contagious cancer.
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The Park continued to expand with the opening of Stage Two of the African Plains in 1988. This expansion included a new Giraffe House. In 1990, a restaurant was added that has since turned into a Function Centre.
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Orana's second decade of operation resulted in the steady arrival of new species and ongoing development. The direction of the zoo significantly altered with the closing of the drive-through Lion Reserve in 1995.
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Closing the Park to cars also meant the drive-through Lion Reserve ended. The lion pride was relocated to a new habitat close to the new office building. Later, they were moved back to their current location.
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On 10 September 1976, Orana's first animals arrived from Australia, including 18 lions, 2 tiger cubs, 2 camels and 2 water buffalo. Orana Park (now Orana Wildlife Park) officially opened on 25 September 1976.
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The park opened with 28 animals from six species. During the first ten years of operation, new animals were regularly added and Stage One of the African Plains, a major expansion, was completed.
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Orana participates in 23 zoo-based breeding programmes for endangered species. Success has been achieved over the years with cheetah, scimitar-horned oryx, white rhinoceros and giraffe.
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notoriously difficult species to breed in captivity. In 1991, a 'Cheetah Chase' was introduced. This public presentation gave visitors the opportunity to witness the speed of cheetah.
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African wild dogs arrived in 1998. These animals are one of the most threatened African carnivores. Initially Orana held a group of three males and then a pack of seven females.
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In 2000, Orana took over the operation of Southern Encounter Aquarium in Cathedral Square, central Christchurch. A kiwi house was added in 2002. The facility was lost in the
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A 6,000 square metre habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger was completed in 2006 and Orana joined 21st Century Tiger. Orana's previous tigers died in 1999.
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Giraffes were added in 1982. Orana has contributed to the managed zoo-based programme and over 15 giraffes have been bred, most of which were transferred to other zoos.
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In 1981 Stage One of the African Plains opened. This meant that visitors could view African savannah species, such as zebra and oryx, across water moats.
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Some significant changes took place including new experiences, the creation of a formal education programme and the acquisition of another attraction.
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In 2013 the park suffered a number of setbacks, including an ape escape, snowstorms and wind damage, and was forced to close its doors for 10 days.
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The return of tigers, a new kea aviary and another zoo to operate were changes. However, earthquakes and storms caused significant damage.
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The next major capital project is a New Zealand Native Centre to extend Orana's conservation efforts with native species.
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In 2015 Orana became home to New Zealand's only gorillas, with three males, including a silverback arriving at the park.
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In 5 June Nyala moved into the park two male (Doctor Bloomfield, Ijeffi) and three female (Masaai, Tsavo and Mopane)
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On 30 July 2015, the park opened the Great Ape Centre at the time it housed 3 gorillas Fataki, Fuzu and Mahali.
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institution in the world to breed oryx by artificial insemination and over 80 oryx have been bred at the zoo.
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A Maud Island Frog Habitat is due to be completed for one of New Zealand's nationally endangered species.
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The most significant development was the creation of a Great Ape Centre for New Zealand's only gorillas.
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gibbons, Orana's first species of ape, were added in 2004 and three young ones have been raised.
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904:"Face to face with 190 kg of hairy muscle: My encounter with Christchurch gorillas"
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Orana is currently home to numerous animals from the following species:
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typically 45% of the Park's visitors are from outside of Christchurch.
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A $ 1.4M White Rhino Conservation Centre is planned for the park.
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because of financial difficulties; they sold it in 2013.
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features porcupines. Orana has regularly bred meerkats.
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The South Island Zoological Society was formed in 1970.
929:"Founders of Orana Wildlife Park celebrate 50 years"
795:bellbird) through habitat restoration initiatives.
48:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
711:On 14 May 2021, the youngest gorilla Mahali died.
549:Drive-through Lion Reserve at Orana Wildlife Park.
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882:"Orana to re-open tomorrow after 10 day closure"
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1013:"Great Ape Centre Opens At Orana Wildlife Park"
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642:In 1999, two new animal encounters were added.
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1027:"Help Build White Rhino Centre (Givealittle)"
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958:"Orana Trust parts ways with Natureland Zoo"
1206:Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi House
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108:Learn how and when to remove this message
1247:Buildings and structures in Christchurch
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988:"Orana Trust ready to quit Nelson zoo"
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1197:Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
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865:Chch zoo on lockdown after storm
122:Zoo in Christchurch, New Zealand
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986:Neal, Tracy (29 June 2013).
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139:Orana Wildlife Park Logo
1137:Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary
524:Western lowland gorilla
444:Orange-fronted kākāriki
419:Lady Amherst's pheasant
908:The New Zealand Herald
799:Exotic species success
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536:History and Key Events
349:Cape crested porcupine
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1144:Kiwi House Otorohanga
821:"Member Location Map"
753:Encounter Experiences
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57:"Orana Wildlife Park"
1052:at Wikimedia Commons
871:. 12 September 2013.
459:Scimitar-horned oryx
439:New Zealand bellbird
167:43.4675°S 172.4625°E
42:improve this article
1257:Zoos in New Zealand
1154:Orana Wildlife Park
1125:Caroline Bay Aviary
1050:Orana Wildlife Park
849:Orana Wildlife Park
761:Hand Feed A Giraffe
479:Southern brown kiwi
399:Helmeted guineafowl
269:'s only open-range
263:Orana Wildlife Park
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128:Orana Wildlife Park
1223:Animals portal
1141:Kiwi Birdlife Park
825:zooaquarium.org.au
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474:Small-clawed otter
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394:Gold-striped gecko
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172:-43.4675; 172.4625
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935:. 29 October 2020
933:Otago Daily Times
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1132:Hamilton Zoo
1113:Auckland Zoo
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781:Conservation
770:Meet A Rhino
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449:Plains zebra
414:Lace monitor
384:Forest gecko
314:African lion
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98:January 2021
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40:Please help
35:verification
32:
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1164:Pouakai Zoo
1097:New Zealand
853:TripAdvisor
509:Tibetan yak
267:New Zealand
235:Memberships
183:Date opened
170: /
158:172°27′45″E
1236:Categories
997:7 February
968:7 February
939:7 February
888:29 January
807:References
776:Tiger feed
344:Brown teal
329:Black swan
227:of species
216:of animals
155:43°28′03″S
68:newspapers
1189:Aquariums
962:NZ Herald
869:3 News NZ
834:14 August
688:2014–2020
661:2006–2013
628:1996–2005
591:1986–1995
561:1976–1985
541:1970–1975
489:Springbok
202:Land area
1095:Zoos of
992:Stuff NZ
767:Farmyard
734:Farmyard
726:Exhibits
616:aviary.
434:Morepork
191:Location
913:30 July
514:Tuatara
469:Siamang
429:Meerkat
389:Giraffe
354:Cheetah
245:Website
82:scholar
409:Kererū
84:
77:
70:
63:
55:
707:2021-
309:Addax
219:1000+
89:JSTOR
75:books
1105:Zoos
999:2021
970:2021
941:2021
915:2015
890:2022
836:2012
529:Whio
186:1976
61:news
829:ZAA
404:Kea
379:Emu
271:zoo
265:is
254:.nz
252:.co
239:ZAA
230:40+
225:No.
214:No.
205:80
44:by
1238::
990:.
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960:.
949:^
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851:,
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207:ha
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1074:v
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