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Photo by Judi Lapsley-Miller

18 MARCH 2009
Take A Walk In The Dark For Earth Hour At Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience

Staff at Wellington’s award-winning wildlife sanctuary are inviting people to take a ‘walk in the dark’ with them on Saturday 28 March as part of Wellington’s Earth Hour celebrations.

‘Our native forest is a absolutely magical place at night’ says event coordinator Alan Dicks

‘But it’s something very few people have actually experienced. To celebrate Earth Hour we will be taking participants on a hour-long walk through some of New Zealand’s most wildlife-diverse forest, stopping to listen for the calls of kiwi and morepork, or the foraging of the comical pateke. If it’s a clear night, we’ll even do a spot of stargazing.’

Because ZEALANDIA is home to some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife, participants will have a chance to attune their senses to the sounds of native birds, reptiles and insects not heard on the mainland for hundreds of years. Who knows, they might even bump into one of our little spotted kiwi - over 100 live in our valley. Special red-light torches will be provided, but often the glow-worms and star light is so bright you won’t need them!

ZEALANDIA offers nocturnal tours almost every night of the year, but the this walk is different. Usually, numbers are strictly limited and under-12s aren’t able to participate.

‘For Earth Hour, we wanted to give as many people as possible the experience of being in the native bush at night. We have brought extra guides on and will allow children aged 8 and over.’

Younger children are welcome to attend the 'Tales by Torchlight' with Fairy Trina at 7pm. There is no cost for this activity. General admission applies.

More information on the Earth Hour Night Walk

Times: Meet at the Visitor Centre by 8.30pm for hot chocolate and a short welcome. We will be back at the Visitor Centre by 10pm.

Cost: Adults: $40 non-Members/$26 Member. Kids: (must be aged 8 and over) $20 non-Member /$14 Member. Please note, there must be at least one responsible adult per child. All proceeds support the conservation and ecological restoration work of Karori Sanctuary Trust.

Booking: Places are limited, so we recommend people book to avoid disappointment. Call 04 920 9200 or book online www.sanctuary.org.nz. Please note that this walk will go rain or (moon)shine, so dress to suit the conditions, with plenty of layers, a waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear.

ENDS

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