African Plains protect rare animals

Press, 27 September 1986, Page 33

African Plains protect rare animals

As early as 1978, following a successful fund-rais-ing campaign, work began on a 40-hectare development — stage one of Orana Park’s African Plains project. Five years later, after further development of facilities and acquisition of animals, phase two and three of the African Plains programme is being considered.

The main aim of the project is to raise $700,000 over the next two to three years. To do this, the Jaycees, together with Orana Park, have formed a board consisting of members of the Christchurch Jaycee chapter and Orana Park’s director and promotions officer. The project is a very important one for the park because of the number of Africa’s endangered species, which is increasing rapidly.

Natural habitat destruction means there is little chance of saving many species. Lack of space in conventional zoos means larger species, such as the recently adopted white rhinoceros, often cannot be housed.

Orana Park has enough space to provide habitats for a few of Africa’s rare and endangered species. The main obstacle however, is lack of funds. The final two stages of the project are a mammoth undertaking for the park. The project consists of several main development areas: © Landscaping involving application of top soil, planting grass, trees, shrubs and building banks, barriers and fences around the moats and walkways. © Building animal handling yards, animal housing and display compounds. Acquiring further animal species such as chimpanzee, cheetahs, ostriches, and several antelope species. ® Constructing picnic and viewing facilities, visitor information areas and public facilities.

® Construction of irrigation systems and perimeter fencing. Currently, the group which has undertaken the task of organising the fund-raising for this project is the Christchurch chapter of the Jaycees.