Gala weekend at Orana Park

Press, 16 April 1980, Page 23

Gala weekend at Orana Park

Orana Park

Operation Zebra Weekend at Orana Park promises to be one of the highlights in the history of the game reserve. In an effort to raise funds for the ' purchase and transport of zebras for the park, staff and voluntary helpers have pulled out all the stops to ensure a week-end of fun and family entertainment. The Wildlife Trust needs $46,000 to bring the zebras to the park and hopes to raise a considerable proportion of the money in a gala week-end during which all proceeds will go towards Operation Zebra.

Orana Park will be open between 10 a.ra. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and as well as the reserve’s usual attractions many novelty events, stalls and exhibitions have been planned. Every tenth person will be admitted free of charge and every car will be given a free Operation Zebra bumper sticker. There are instant prizes to be won at the gate and a special line of souvenirs will be available, all with the Operation Zebra logo. The lions, which are the park’s most popular inhabi-

tants, will be fed four times each day instead of the usual two, to enable greater numbers of people to watch this fascinating procedure. One of the game wardens (Mr S. Oliver) will add to the excitement during the week-end by an attempt on the world record at pole-sitting among lions. He is scheduled to retire to his 5m pole on Friday morning and will live among the lions with no protection apart from the height of his pole. Encouragement from the public will no doubt be most welcome during Mr Oliver’s ordeal. If- they tire of waiting for the warden to fall into the lions’ den, visitors can amuse themselves at the

stalls and side-shows which will operate in the park over the week-end. Among these is a novelty event which is expected to be particularly popular. Called “smash and grab,” it involves stacks of crockery which can be smashed by contestants to win prizes — a great way to work off week-end frustrations.

Various raffles have been organised with prizes which include pet rabbits, complete with hutches, food and accessories, donated by the park. Displays which have been planned in conjunction with the gala include a Red Cross demonstration and the spinning and weaving of camel and wild sheep wool. Orana Park

has built up a stockpile of camel wool over the past few years (camels produce about as much wool as a good-sized sheep and shed it naturally each year), and hats, scarves and novelties will be made on the spot to be sold as souvenirs. A well-known wildlife artist who has spent a great deal of time drawing at Orana Park will be working during the weekend, and his pictures, both originals and prints, will be on sale to the public. As usual, however,' it will be the animals themselves who steal the show. The park’s stocks are expanding all the time and many new arrivals will be on display this week-end. A group of kangaroos, both red and grey breeds,

has recently been introduced and for those who have yet to see the spider monkeys on their island, a real treat is in store. Another favourite at the park is the baby oryx, born last spring. The oryx is a very rare breed of desert antelope, distinguished by its curved scimitar-like horns, and the park is fortunate to have bred one successfully in captivity. A record attendance is hoped for during Operation Zebra Week-end and the park is well stocked with refreshments of all descriptions to cope with hungry visitors. Families are welcome to bring picnic lunches and enjoy a whole day in the atmosphere of fun and festivity.

ABOVE: Orana Park’s resiident tiger, Khan, stalks around the perimeter of his enclosure. Khan and his mate, Sheba, are among the most spectacular of the animals on display at the reserve. BELOW: One of the three camels at the park whose wool is to be spun in a special display this weekend.