AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

21 February 2007

Come on a summer safari with me

Auckland Zoo is encouraging parents and caregivers to celebrate and treat their children on National Children's Day (Sunday 4 March) by bringing them along to its Just Juice Splash Summer Safari from 5pm to 9pm.

In keeping with the National Children’s Day's theme of giving time, the zoo is an ideal location to spend quality time with children – having fun and learning at the same time. Both littlies and grown-ups are advised to dress for adventure, grab the binoculars and get ready to explore the zoo, safari-style.

Adventurers will meet some interesting characters, like Captain Tongue-Tied and tropical-themed zookeepers, and there'll be opportunities to get along to some special animal encounters, and to check out your favourite zoo animals.

Safari-Central at the band rotunda is the place to be to enjoy cultural performances from around the world including a Caribbean steel band, Zimbabwean marimba players and Pacific Island performers. Plus, for those wanting to be part of the action, the zoo is inviting everyone on safari to get active and take part in some fun games, including great water-based activities at the interactive Splash Zone and a cool pirate ship.. Just Juice Splash Summer Safari-goers can also check out the awesome Life Education Trust classroom and meet their mascot Harold the Giraffe. Everyone has the chance to receive some giveaways and win spot prizes. And for those who have built up an appetite, a safari barbecue is available at both the band rotunda and Darwin's Café.

The Hector’s dolphin is the representative indigenous animal for National Children’s Day 2007. This dolphin is one of the world’s rarest dolphin species with little more than 7,000 left. While on safari, visitors will get the opportunity to learn about the plight of the Hector’s dolphin and the threats they face.

Spend time with the children and help the planet

- Go for a swim at the beach and pick up any rubbish you see to recycle.

- Take a tour of your house and see if you can find any leaky taps.

- Make a papier-mache dolphin out of old newspapers.

Just Juice Splash Summer Safari is sponsored by Just Juice and supported by 91ZM and National Children’s Day.

Tickets to this last zoo event of summer 2007 are limited, and pre-purchasing is recommended. Tickets are available from Auckland Zoo (ph 360 3805) and Ticketek (www.ticketek.co.nz or ph 09 307 5000 – service fee will apply). Adults $20, Children (4-15 years) $10, Under 4 years free. Family passes and concessions available. Friends of the Zoo receive a 20 per cent discount.

ENDS

ABOUT AUCKLAND ZOO
Auckland Zoo is an enterprise of Auckland City Council. It is home to the largest collection of native and exotic wildlife species in New Zealand (over 1900 animals and 200 species) and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It is becoming increasingly well known nationally and internationally through the award-winning television programme, The Zoo. At the heart of all Auckland Zoo's work and activities is its mission: "to focus the Zoo’s resources to benefit conservation and provide exciting visitor experiences which inspire and empower people to take positive action for wildlife and the environment". Auckland Zoo is a member of both the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks & Aquaria (ARAZPA) and the World Association of Zoos & Aquariums (WAZA).

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