Auckland Zoo - Conservation Projects

Conservation Projects

Auckland Zoo is dedicated to the care and conservation of wildlife

On-site, the Zoo is involved in numerous breeding programmes for exotic species, New Zealand native species, and research projects. Through our Urban Ark project, we are strongly focused on reducing pest species, both on-site and in neighbouring properties, so that our New Zealand native wildlife and plant species can flourish.

Outside of the Zoo, through the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, the Zoo is very active in funding and practically assisting the conservation of endangered animals in the wild, both here in New Zealand and overseas.

If you would like to learn more about the conservation projects we support, please contact our field conservation programmes coordinator.

Featured project - Urban Ark

The tui, an important pollinator, is unique to New Zealand. You can encourage tui into your garden by growing native plants such as kowhai, purer, rewire, kahikatea, pohutukawa, rat and flax. Conservation is at the heart of everything we do at Auckland Zoo.

Our mission is to be strong advocates for animals and their habitats, and to lead by example.

That is where our Urban Ark project comes in. This project's key aim is to reduce the impact of pest species on our native wildlife and plants - right here in the 17ha that make up our Zoo grounds, and in neighbouring properties.

Looking at what is around us, identifying what is good, and what is not good is the first step. The next step is to make a plan to discourage pests, and to encourage the animal and plant species we want.

Why is restoring the balance important?

Ella Bailey from Titirangi checks out one of Auckland Zoo's weta motels. New Zealand plants and animals developed alongside each other in the absence of mammals. As a result, they are unique and many are found nowhere else on earth.

Among the threats to our native species are many introduced species. Animals like possums, rats and hedgehogs eat native eggs, chicks and birds, lizards, snails, seeds and plants. Some introduced plants, like honeysuckle and ladder fern, grow so well in New Zealand that they compete with our native plants.

We are well on the way to reducing pests, with extensive trapping greatly reducing the number of rats, mice and hedgehogs, and are active in removing pest plants.

The tree weta, pictured, is the most common type of weta, and usually makes its home in the holes of trees. A lot of work is done by Zoo volunteers. These great people help monitor for pest species, both here at the Zoo and in neighbouring properties - trapping pest animals, removing wasp nests, and weeding out pest plants. We also work with other organisations like the Department of Conservation on projects like the restoration of Rangitoto Island and the Ark in the Park project in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges.

Be an Urban Ark ranger too!

Northland green gecko - photo credit: Michelle Whybrow Everyone can be part of the Urban Ark project, and become an Urban Ark ranger. Start by having a look in your home garden. What do you see? Do you know what plants are growing there? Is your garden host to lizards, stick insects, birds, and weta? Do rats, mice, and hedgehogs visit your garden?

Fun ideas for home and the bach

A silvereye visits a garden bird feeder. The silvereye, also known as the wax-eye or white-eye, found its way to New Zealand from across the Tasman in the 1800s. - You can make a monitoring tunnel out of old milk bottles, some white paper, black vinyl, and a few other recycled materials from around the home - animal footprints will tell you who's around! Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to make your monitoring tunnel.

- Hang a weta motel or two in your garden. Follow this link to find out how to make one: www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/home-and-garden/

- Encourage birds into your garden by filling a shallow container with water. On a hot summer day, birds will enjoy a bath or a drink. You can also make a simple bird feeder (like the one pictured) by putting nails into a log to place fruit on, and smaller nails for birds to perch on, and hang from a tree branch by a chain.

Note: only attract birds if you live in a cat free area!
If you are interested in being a volunteer at Auckland Zoo, click here.

How to make a monitoring tunnel

Placing a monitoring tunnel or two in your backyard is a great way to find out what animals are around - be they unwanted pest species, or some of our wonderful New Zealand native wildlife.

To make your tunnel you will need:

2 plastic milk bottles
Black polythene
White paper
A piece of sponge
Food colouring
Peanut butter
A piece of wire that can be bent

1. Cut both ends off two plastic milk bottles, and slide one in side the other to make your tunnel.

2. Wrap the tunnel in black polythene (leaving both ends open) to create a dark tunnel.

3. Use the bottom of one of the milk bottles as a small tray. Place a small piece of sponge (an old dishcloth is good) in the middle of the tray and soak in food colouring. Then place some peanut butter on the top of the sponge.