AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

1 February 2007

Love is in the air at Auckland Zoo

There is no better place to woo your loved one this Valentine’s Day, than the unique and lush surrounds of Auckland Zoo, one of Auckland’s most romantic destinations.

Test your animal magnetism as you stroll around the zoo and check out the animals and romantic photo spots. When you have finished exploring, sit back and enjoy the non-stop live music at the band rotunda with The Love Cats singing all your favourite love songs, and musician Chris Sanders. Bring a picnic or pre-order a “love bites” hamper from Darwins Cafe. “Love bites” hampers start from $20 per couple and must be pre-ordered by phoning the zoo on (09) 360 3805.

Let your romantic side go wild and book an intimate table-for-two in the Newstalk ZB Rainforest. This exclusive, outdoor restaurant is limited to eight couples and the three-course meal will be personalised for each couple. Tables are $300 per couple (includes a glass of wine per course) and must be pre-booked by phoning (09) 360 4705.

The zoo is hoping that all the love in the air will rub off on their two Sumatran tigers, male Oz and female Molek. Oz and Molek have been “love-matched” in the hope they will breed and produce cubs. There are less than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and without help, they could be extinct by 2020. While breeding is a priority, of equally high importance will be advocacy and growing the direct support role the zoo plays for Molek and Oz's cousins in the wild, via the 21st Century Tiger project – Kerenci Seblat National Park

You can show your support for Oz and Molek and wish them well in their future breeding by getting along to a special tiger encounter at 6.30pm, where keepers will talk you through the process of breeding tiger cubs and progressing the “love-match”. There will be great raffle prizes on offer, with the proceeds supporting the 21st Century Tiger Project - Kerenci Seblat National Park. This project provides assistance to it’s Tiger Protection and Conservation Units that work to halt the poaching and trafficking of tigers and work alongside villagers to prevent tiger-human conflict.

Valentine’s at the Zoo is brought to you by Newstalk ZB and is a limited capacity event. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Tickets: $20, hampers from $20 – available from the Zoo (phone 09 360 3805) or Ticketek (phone 09 370 5000 or www.ticketek.co.nz – service fee will apply). Friends of the Zoo members receive a 20 per cent discount on entry to this event.

ENDS

NOTES TO THE EDITIOR

After the passing of the zoo’s female tiger, Nisha, in May 2006, Molek was matched to breed with Oz who arrived from Israel in September 2006. Molek quickly followed from Hamilton Zoo in October, and although they live side-by-side, they are yet to meet face-to-face – a move that is planned for later this year. A breeding pair of Sumatran tigers is a first for Auckland Zoo, and a decision decided on in collaboration with regional partners, the Australasian Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria (ARAZPA) and European Association of Zoos & Aquaria (EAZA). Potential offspring will go to other zoos in these regions. Worldwide, there are less than 160 Sumatran tigers in captive (zoo) facilities, 24 of whom are in Australasia.

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