Hamilton Zoo to host family reunion
27 FEBRUARY 2007
Hamilton Zoo is set to welcome a brand new resident into its giraffe herd on Wednesday [28 February].
Dume, who celebrated his first birthday in January, is being transported by road from his birthplace at Auckland Zoo to
Hamilton Zoo.
At Auckland Zoo, Dume has been living with his father, Zabulu and his mother, Kay together with an un-related
enclosure-mate named Rukiya. Upon relocating to Hamilton Zoo, Dume will meet two older brothers Ndale and Jambari and
half-brother Masamba for the first time.
Leisure Facilities manager Jason Rogers says Dume will be a welcome addition to the zoo’s giraffe family.
“It’s a great pleasure to be welcoming Dume to Hamilton Zoo and into our existing giraffe herd, particularly as he
already has some close family linkages here. Dume joins the zoo’s current bachelor herd of five which allows for
improved animal enrichment opportunities. An important part of young male giraffes’ development of social skills in the
wild is challenging their place in the herd. Dume will be the youngest in the Hamilton Zoo herd and will no doubt enjoy
socialising and playing with the older boys, particularly his relatives.
“Dume’s transfer from Auckland Zoo provides a great example of zoos working in partnership with each other to ensure all
species have ample space and social opportunities within their environments. Three of our rhino will be transferring to
Auckland Zoo in April. In exchange, we will receive a male rhino from Auckland Zoo who is unrelated to our animals at
Hamilton Zoo, which will enable us to continue our rhino breeding programme.”
Mr Rogers says it should only be a few days before Dume joins his herd on display to zoo patrons.
“As soon as Dume has had a chance to settle in and get acquainted with his new herd, they will all be placed together
and visitors to the zoo will be able to meet him.”
ENDS