Progressive wildlife sanctuary breeds endangered species

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 11

Progressive wildlife sanctuary breeds endangered species

Four South American Spider Monkeys were imported from San Francisco Zoo last year for breeding at Orana Park. Spider Monkeys have slender bodies, and their limbs and hands are elongated for brachiating.

A very rare and endangered species is the Scimi-tar-homed Oryx (below). Orana Park has imported a number of these nomadic desert creatures from England’s Marwell Zoo as part of a worldwide insurance policy to build up breeding groups in disease-free countries such as New Zealand.

The Orana Park Wildlife Reserve which lies 19km from Christchurch on Willows Road, McLeans Island, comprises a total of some 80 hectares — an area which is rapidly becoming more abundant with different species as the five year development plan progresses. The park is administered by the Orana Park Trust Board on behalf of the South Island Zoological Society, as a non-profit organisation. The society provided most of the voluntary help for first developing the site at McLean’s Island in order to bring the park to a stage where 16 hectares could be opened to the public in September 1976. The society is still very active in developing the park for further animals. A number of the park animals have been adopted by charitable groups in the interests of wildlife conservation. Last year over 155,000 people visited Orana Park, the largest free range type of zoo in New Zealand. It is built on an openair theme. Every effort is made to give each animal as much freedom as possible in an environment as natural as its original habitat. At present, Stage 1 (40

hectares) of the development plan has been completed and this includes the popular African Lion Reserve where over 40 lions roam freely in natural surroundings and observers can watch from the safety of their car. Invisible barriers are often used to keep the animals within their confines and to provide better viewing for the public. The Spider monkeys who cannot swim are surrounded by water, water buffaloes have moats and other animals have deep ditches to ford. The African lions however, are enclosed within a fenced, drivethrough four hectare compound for complete safety.

There are many different species of wildlife abounding at Orana Park and new species are arriving regularly from all parts of the world.

The animals to be seen include Water Buffaloes, Tigers from Asia; Zebra, Antelope and Lions from Africa; Agouti from America; Himalayan Thar; Arabian camels; Donkeys from Jerusalem; Chamois from the European Alps; Emus, Wallabies and grey Kangaroos from Australia; Red deer, Kiwis and a large display of New Zealand native birds.

There is a strong emphasis on conservation of rare and endangered species and Mr Paul Garland who is in charge of the park animals, has already pioneered some successful breeding programmes.

One such breed which produced cubs is the Great Plains wolf, an endangered species which was once common in North America. Now that Stage 1 has been completed, projects under construction at the moment include a Spider monkey house, an artificial lake with monkey islands, a Prairie dog enclosure and a New Zealand native bird complex with native bush incorporating a breeding unit for Kiwis some of which have been brought to the park after being injured m opposum traps. To allow the animal stock to be built up in readiness for the opening of the African Plains, an area of 40 hectares comprising Stage II of the

master plan, two intermediate steps are to be taken.

The first is the construction of an Antelope house this winter to allow initial animal imports to take place and the second is the development of a 30 acre grazing area alongside the African Plains, west of the present park, which will serve as a holding and resting area for stock. The African Plains will blend with the present park when completed. It is designed on the drivethrough theme, and to create a more natural landscape, excavation do.m to ground water level will take place to give a natural waterway running the full length of the plains. The plan shows this waterway as simulating an ancient river which has cut its way through the land leaving river terraces on either side with a view of the Southern Alps in the background. It will comprise of three habitats: The “desert,” being the high, dry, desert-like area, will display ostriches, Barbary sheep, Oryx, Wild ass, Camels and Eland. The “Savannah Plains,” on the lower terraces, will be developed for animals including Zebra, Antelopes, Cheetahs, Giraffe, Gazelles, Gnu and White Rhino. Living by the water’s edge in the “river marsh” will be Waterbuck, Sitatunga and Hippo. Where necessary, to stop the animals intermingling, there will be natural barriers created by ditches and water courses. When. complete, this African Plains display will not only be - an exciting

new experience for visitors to Orana Park, but it will also act as a reservoir for endangered wildlife and play a significant part in world conservation.

The park is open every day of the year (except Christmas Day) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pony rides are available for children at week-ends and there are several picnic areas within the park. An adventure playground and farmyard comer also provide enjoyment for the younger visitor to Orana Park.