16 January 2007

Zoo Trust Realises Dream For Conservation Medicine Centre

The Auckland Zoological Park Charitable Trust has successfully raised $4.6m to enable the zoo to establish the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM) to further its national role in native species conservation.

Due to open at Auckland Zoo in mid-2007, the centre will incorporate a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital, and will focus strongly on research, diagnostic work, and specialised teaching. Also a unique educational and interactive facility, its innovative design will give zoo visitors their first-ever opportunity to view vets, vet nurses, and lab technicians at work.

“I am delighted that the trustees have worked with me to fulfil the funding for this exciting new centre for conservation,” says Zoo Trust chairperson, Penny Whiting, MBE.

Ms Whiting says the work that Auckland Zoo vets and other NZCCM staff will undertake here will make a substantial contribution to wildlife conservation in New Zealand, and around the world.

"Many New Zealand organisations and individuals have helped us realise our dream for the NZCCM, including our major sponsor, the ASB Community Trust, whom we wish to thank for their tremendous support," says Ms Whiting.

ASB Community Trust has funded around a third of the Centre’s cost, with total grants worth $1.5 million.

“This facility will provide specialised teaching, research and veterinary services for New Zealand's threatened native fauna,” says Trust CEO Jennifer Gill. “Funding this project is part of our strategy to help protect and enhance the environment in which we live, and to preserve the heritage of the communities of our region.”

Auckland Zoo already plays a vital role in native species conservation and national biosecurity. It is involved in breeding recovery programmes for the likes of kiwi, tuatara, kokako, whio (blue duck), and pateke (brown teal), and has for many years provided medical, technical advisory surveillance, and research services to the Department of Conservation (DOC), Biosecurity New Zealand, and other organisations.

"This NZCCM will be an invaluable resource to further this work, which is critical when you consider that over 50 per cent of New Zealand's native vertebrates are now classified by DOC as threatened with extinction. Extinct means forever, and the establishment of the NZCCM is a bold step to ensure our wildlife will survive for generations to come," says Ms Whiting.

With the NZCCM fundraising completed, the Zoo Trust is now focused on fundraising for the zoo's next major project, the New Zealand Precinct, a must see New Zealand experience, and developing a bequest programme.

If you wish to give wildlife a future you can donate funds or leave a bequest to the Zoo Trust. Phone (09) 360 4873 or visit www.zootrust.com for further details.

ENDS

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