Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo

Wellington Zoo's logo
Tahi the one-legged kiwi, Wellington Zoo's unofficial mascot. Tahi means 'one' in the Maori language.
Date opened	1906
Location	200 Daniell Street, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
Coordinates	41°19′11″S 174°47′03″E / 41.3196°S 174.7843°E / -41.3196; 174.7843Coordinates: 41°19′11″S 174°47′03″E / 41.3196°S 174.7843°E / -41.3196; 174.7843
Land area	13 hectares (32 acres)
No. of animals	500+
No. of species	100+
Memberships	ZAA
Website	wellingtonzoo.com

Wellington Zoo is nestled in the green belt of Wellington, New Zealand. Now over 100 years old, it was the country’s first zoo and has 13-hectare (32-acre) dedicated to over 100 species of fauna from across the globe. Wellington Zoo is a significant contributor to conservation efforts including breeding programs for endangered species such as the sun bear and Sumatran tiger, as well as spreading conservation and sustainability messages to the wider community.

Wellington Zoo was opened in 1906 by the late Prime Minister Richard Seddon, after he was given a young lion - later named King Dick - by the Bostock and Wombwell Circus. Over time the zoo was expanded and upgraded, and committed itself to a future in environmental education, bringing animals and people closer together.

Historically, Wellington Zoo operated under the auspices of the Wellington City Council. However, in June 2003 the zoo became a charitable trust and is now governed by a board of six trustees, with the Wellington City Council as principal source of funds.

Wellington Zoo's current group of chimpanzee originate from a male named Tom and two females named Yoka and Sarah. Yoka gave birth to daughters Bebe in 1962, Jodie in 1977 and Jessie in 1978 while Sarah gave birth to a son, Sam, in 1977. Bebe then bred with Tom to produce two sons, Boyd in 1978 and Marty in 1987. Wellington Zoo used to hold chimpanzee tea parties which were phased out during the early 1960s.

In 1990, Wellington Zoo received its first Sumatran tiger, a two-year-old male named Jambi, from Taronga Zoo. He was joined in 1992 by a two-year-old female, Toba, from Rotterdam Zoo. Toba died in 1993 and was replaced by a two-year-old female, Cantic, from Arnhem Zoo in 1994. Cantic gave birth to a litter of three cubs in 1996. The male, Rokan, remained at the zoo, while the females, Nisha and Malu, were sent to Auckland Zoo in 1998.

In 1992, three female chimpanzee arrived from Taronga Zoo, 11-year-old Cara, 9-year-old Samantha and 7-year-old Sally. Jodie gave birth to a son, Gombe, in 1993. In 1994, Cara gave birth to a daughter Chima, while Samantha gave birth to a son, Temba. In 1996, Sally gave birth a son, Mahinga. In 1998, Samantha gave birth to a daughter Keza, while Cara gave birth to a son, Alexis.

In 1992, two Malayan sun bears arrived from San Diego Zoo. They were originally named Stanley and Spot but were renamed Bakti and Chomel. In May 1997, Chomel gave birth to twins which died at birth. She gave birth again in December 1997 but the cub shortly died after birth. Chomel gave birth again to male twins in April 1999. The cubs were named Arataki and Madu.