‘Zoofest’ for animal hospital

Press, 19 February 1987, Page 7

‘Zoofest’ for animal hospital

Orana Park will hold a four-day “Zoofest” next week to raise funds for an animal hospital, and to highlight the work of zoos in the conservation of endangered species. The cost of the hospital, which will be used as part of the park’s planned artificial breeding programme, has not yet been established. At least “several hundred thousand dollars” would be needed, said the director, Mr Paul Garland.

“It is not going to be a huge multi-million venture, and it will not happen overnight,” he said. The Zoofest will begin on Thursday, February 26, with a barbecue for members of the Junior Wildlife Club. The children will be shown the new development areas in the African Plains section of the park, as well as other areas the public were not usually able to

The junior club had grown to 400 members in 12 months, said the promotions and marketing officer for the park, Mrs Beverly Shepherd. A World Wildlife promotion will be held at Northlands Shopping Centre on Friday, February 27. The main part of the “Zoofest” will be the family concert evening, to be held on Saturday, February 28, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Country and western singers, including John Grenell, will entertain. Tickets for the concert are on sale at Whitcoulls. Earlier in the day, Parkpals — persons and groups who have adopted animals — will be shown round the park. A family fun day with various highlights will be held on Sunday, March 1, the last day of the festival.