In 1991, Wellington Zoo became the first Zoo in New Zealand to have Meerkats. Ever since then they have been an absolute favourite for thousands of visitors. The black patches around a Meerkats eyes act as natural sunglasses – helping to reduce the glare from the harsh sun. They are extremely endearing animals, which means …
The so-called “blister beetle” could be making a comeback in Wellington due to the warm summer weather. An Australian native, the lax beetle, releases a toxin when crushed, which leaves welts or blisters on the skin. The beetle was thought to be responsible for a rash of skin complaints among the city’s residents last summer. …
Unwelcome Australian invader gets under the skin in Wellington Read More »
Wellington Zoo Cheetah brothers: Cango and Kunjuka Wellington Zoo is home to two of New Zealand’s fastest residents – brothers Cango and Kunjuka. They were taken in by the Zoo after their mum rejected them shortly after they were born at Orana Wildlife Park in Canterbury. While this might seem unusual, it is actually …
Wellington Zoo Cheetah brothers: Cango and Kunjuka Read More »
Wellington’s councils are putting a new twist on the idea of death by chocolate. \ Photo: 123RF The regional and city council plan to use chocolate to lure rats into traps that will kill them instantly, to see how well rats can be controlled without poison. The regional council’s biosecurity team has set up several …
Wellington rats face death by chocolate in trapping trial Read More »
Wellington Zoo is home to four Red Pandas: Khusi and her cub Ngima, Sundar and Manasa. They all have distinct personalities which Zoo visitors can use to tell them apart! Cooler weather makes for the best days to go and see the Red Pandas at Wellington Zoo. They become much more active, and will often be …
The Wellington Regional Council will trial a bus route to Wellington Zoo after public pressure since the new network was set up. Photo: Supplied / Wellington Zoo When Metlink’s new system was launched, the service running to Wellington Zoo was scrapped. It will now run a six-month trial service leaving Wellington Station every hour, from 3 …
As part of The Wellington App’s Summer Edition, we are working with Wellington Zoo to showcase some of the amazing animals you and your family can visit while the weather is good! Every Wednesday and Friday during January we will feature a new creature with some general information about the species, but also a bit …
A group of friends scrambled down a rocky cliff face to rescue dolphins stranded on rocks in Wellington Harbour yesterday. Melissa Prowse told Summer Report she and her friends were watching a big pod of about 50 dolphins play and feed near Houghton Bay on the capital’s south coast. She said as the tide went …
Watch: Rescuers save two dolphins trapped in Wellington bay Read More »
As part of The Wellington App’s Summer Edition, we are working with Wellington Zoo to showcase some of the amazing animals you and your family can visit while the weather is good! Every Wednesday and Friday during January we will feature a new animal with some general information about the species, but also a bit …
New feature: Animal of the Week with Wellington Zoo Read More »
The SPCA says birds are showing up in Wellington either distressed or dead after being decorated with tinsel, rings and other items. The SPCA wants members of the public to come forward if they know anything about the decorated birds. Photo: SPCA It has reported incidents involving about 30 non-native birds such as sparrows since 2015, but …
Birds distressed or dying after being decorated with tinsel Read More »
The sheep dubbed the world’s cutest have given birth to their first lambs in New Zealand. Wairarapa farmer Christine Reed and her business partners imported Swiss Valais Blacknose sheep as embryos from the United Kingdom about 18 months ago. Over the past two weeks, Ms Reed’s sheep have brought five tiny bundles of fluffy cuteness …
Wellington Chimpanzee Troops new home “closer to natural than ever before” Wellington Zoos latest exhibit upgrade was officially completed yesterday with an opening ceremony in the new Chimp Park visitor area. The $1.2m changes were made with support from the Jane Goodall Institute NZ and Pub Charity. Part of the ceremony included a personalized video …
What makes Wellington’s new Chimpanzee enclosure so much better? Read More »
The new Chimp Park opens this weekend at Wellington Zoo with a new enriched environment for the troop of ten chimpanzees, one of the largest in Australasia. The new park involved close liaison with habitat design experts, and incorporates more climbing structures, hammocks and ropes which aim to improve the primates’ wellbeing and encourage natural behaviours …
Wellington Zoo has announced the introduction of a new Capybara Close Encounter for early 2019. The Zoo family of the world’s largest rodents includes one male, Pepe, and females Vara and Iapa, who is the mother to the most recent litter of babies. While bookings for the encounters won’t be available until next year, visitors …
Close encounters of the capybara kind coming to the Zoo Read More »
In between the bouts of wet weather, takahē parents Nio and Orbell have been spotted out on the lawn at Zealandia with their chick trailing after them. At 17 days old, every day of life is a big achievement for the little takahē chick. Zealandia are helping to ensure that sufficient resources are available to …
The fame of Wellington’s favourite feline is about to grow with the fearless cat featuring in the 2018 edition of the popular online Wellington Advent Calendar, which launches tomorrow. Mittens; photo by Sam Thacker Mittens, the eight-year-old Turkish angora that has captured locals’ hearts with his tendency to roam the city visiting restaurants, shops and …
Wellington Advent Calendar returns – with Mittens Read More »
This daily feature lists a selection of Wellington events today that are free or cost less than $20.00 (usually). You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. As part of the Science for Lunch series …
A rare takahē chick has hatched at Zealandia, with rangers at the Wellington wildlife sanctuary doing all they can to improve its chances of survival. The chick was believed to have hatched last Wednesday. Its parents, Nio and Orbell, have been nesting since early November, and at 14 and 18 respectively are nearing the end …
This daily feature lists a selection of Wellington events today that are free or cost less than $20.00 (usually). You may want to check previous entries for recurring events. And there are many more options in the What’s On, Active/To Do, and Community sections of The Wellington App. Want to know the legend behind the …
Kiwi could soon be roaming through Wellington backyards if an ambitious project to kill their predators is successful. RNZ story by journalist Dan Dalgety @DanDalgetyNZ [email protected] Capital Kiwi founder Paul Ward and Terawhiti Station director Michael Grace. Photo: RNZ / Dan Dalgety The community group Capital Kiwi wants to set 4400 traps to eradicate stoats, ferrets …
‘We think it can be a safe place for kiwi to live’ Read More »
Boom! It’s not the sound of a kakapo, but many other native bird species are causing an explosive increase in the dawn chorus across Wellington. The capital’s annual bird count shows that all native bird species are on the increase in the city’s reserves, with kakariki numbers increasing about 700 per cent since 2011. Beyond …
Kakariki numbers up 700%, as capital’s native bird species boom Read More »
Zealandia have announced that their takahē pair, Nio and Orbell, are nesting. The takahē lawn will be closed for the next couple of weeks to give them some privacy. Photo of Nio and Orbell by Judi Lapsley Miller Staff are doing all they can to improve the chances of a successful chick, but realise that …
Wellington Zoo, the capital’s oldest conservation organisation, has won the inaugural World Association of Zoos and Aquariums Environmental Sustainability Award. Wellington Zoo chief executive Karen Fifield with the WAZA Award The Zoo cemented its pace as a world leader for progressive zoos and aquariums in sustainability when it received the award at the 73rd Annual WAZA Conference …
Wellington Zoo globally recognised for sustainability Read More »
The kereru or wood pigeon, which is thriving in Wellington with a stable population, has been declared 2018 Bird of the Year for the first time. Photo by Craig McKenzie Described as “in some trouble” on the Bird of the Year site, the kererū received 5833 votes in the public competition to fly to …
Thriving Wellington resident kererū voted Bird of the Year Read More »
Zealandia has successfully trapped the weasel discovered inside the protected wildlife sanctuary last week. The female weasel was found in a DOC200 humane kill trap today by a Zealandia Ranger, at the southern end of the sanctuary where the animal was first detected. Conservation and Research Manager Dr Danielle Shanahan was delighted with the result. …
The weasel that left tracks inside Zealandia wildlife sanctuary last week has been captured – but only on video. Footage of the elusive mustelid has been recorded on a camera trap, which confirmed for staff that they were working in the right area of the sanctary. One hundred and ten DOC200 traps were placed with …
If he had a tail, Dogs New Zealand president Nigel Trainor would be wagging it with excitement given the number of entries received for the annual National Dog Show in Porirua from tomorrow. “We will have over a thousand dogs representing over 120 breeds on show for the public,” says Trainor, “and are delighted to …
Dogs, dogs, a thousand dogs – all on show from tomorrow Read More »
Mustelid tracks, likely from a weasel, have been found inside the fence at Karori ecosanctuary ZEALANDIA, triggering an immediate hunt for the unwelcome predator. Conservation and Research Manager Dr Danielle Shanahan said that while incursions are very rare, ZEALANDIA is well-prepared to deal with the situation and is working with experts to plan and carry …
The fifth in a weekly series where we publish photographs of notable neighbourhood cats. Send photo submissions, and information to [email protected] Cats for the week of 24-31 September Name: Uncle Junior (at the back) and Svetlana. They are on Instagram as @corradoandsvetlana Owner’s name: Bec Area: Naenae Age: 1 year and 1 week old Breed: …
The fourth in a weekly series where we publish a photograph of a notable neighbourhood cat. Send your photo submissions, and the necessary information (below), to [email protected] Cat for the week of 17-23 September Name: C A T Owner’s name: Kelly Suburb: Carterton Age: 4 Breed: Tabby Character: Hmmm yes she is 🙂 Best feature: …
At fundraising event Pups in the Park, dogs and their owners enjoyed watching the Wellington Lions beat North Harbour on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Story and photos by Luke Jackson Reggie, a three year old Dogue de Bordeaux wearing a lion’s mane (below) had a lot to say about the Wellington Lions uneven Mitre 10 …
The third in a weekly series where we publish a photograph of a notable neighbourhood cat. Send your photo submissions, and the necessary information (below), to [email protected] Cat of the week for 10-16 September Name: John Paul Owners: Raewyn and Nathan Suburb: Kingston Age: 11 Breed: Domesticated Moggy Character: cheeky and adorable and loved by …