Auckland Zoo’s orangutans will move temporarily to Otautahi / Christchurch while a new home is built for them.
The $50 million, two-year development in the heart of the zoo is due to start in a few months' time. It is part of a 10-year redevelopment programme funded through Auckland Council's long-term plan at a total cost of $120 million.
As well as providing an expansive new home for orangutans, which will live alongside siamang gibbons, the South East Asia-focused precinct will feature tigers, otters, and a diversity of reptile, fish, and invertebrates.
It will also incorporate a new restaurant and function venue that will overlook the zoo's central lake.
"This precinct will transform almost one fifth of the zoo, and will offer our visitors a stunningly immersive experience of one of the most wildlife-rich but threatened places on Earth,” says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.
Orangutans off to Ōtautahi
Orangutans Charlie Melur and Wanita will move temporarily south to Orana Wildlife Park, but they'll be going with the comfort and security of some familiar faces – their primate keepers, says Auckland Zoo Primate team leader Amy Robbins.
"We've been working closely with our Orana colleagues who are spending time here getting to know our orangutans,” she says.
“Come the move, my team and I will take turns working between Auckland and Orana."
Orana Wildlife Park chief executive Lynn Anderson says she and her team are very excited at the prospect of welcoming Auckland's orangutans.
"These amazing apes will be housed next to our magnificent gorillas in the Great Ape Centre – a habitat that we opened in 2015, which has been designed to hold both gorillas and orangutans in separate spaces,” she says.
