Auckland City Council

Media release

20 May 2009

Zoo embraces marine theme for World Environment Day

A photographic exhibition at Auckland Zoo from 1 to 7 June in celebration of World Environment Day (5 June) is a rare opportunity for locals to view exquisite images of one this region’s most pristine harbours.

‘Eyes on Whangateau Harbour’ at the zoo’s Old Elephant House (10am to 3pm daily) features 30 photographs celebrating the outstanding natural values of this stunning mainland estuary northeast of Warkworth.

Works by local and internationally renowned photographers Darryl Torckler, Dr Roger Grace, Ian Macdonald, Iain Anderson and Karen Williamson have been reproduced in large banner format, designed by world-famous New Zealand artist Billy Apple and fellow artist Robert Thompson.

While the originals are not for sale, a small number of limited edition signed prints can be purchased, with 25 per cent of print sale proceeds going to support the work of the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

“Whangateau Harbour has abundant fish life, and a wealth of healthy intertidal habitats. Its water quality is aided by the filtering actions of millions of cockles and other filter-feeders, making it an absolute snorkeler’s paradise. It is similar to how other estuaries in the Auckland region must have been in pre-human times, and that’s exactly how we want to keep it,” says Dr Roger Grace – photographer, marine biologist, and Whangateau HarbourCare Group member. A display and 10-point action plan for Whangateau Harbour accompanies the exhibition. Normal zoo admission prices apply.

Along with attending the exhibition, visitors are invited to get along to the zoo’s Sealion Shores (3 to 7 June). At 10.30am and 12.30pm each day, keepers will present encounters with New Zealand fur seals and engage people about the threats to our marine life and coastal habitats, and what we can all do to help. On World Environment Day (5 June) itself, Pt Chevalier Primary pupils who have been active in tree-planting and water care projects at Meola Reef and Meola Creek, will take part in an interactive marine challenge at Sealion Shores with zoo staff, and find out more about this year’s World Environment Day theme ‘Your Planet Needs You – UNite to Fight Climate Change’.

Zoo native plant nursery
Zoo visitors or anyone just dropping in to the front entry plaza for coffee or to shop, can take advantage of Wild Zone Gift Shop’s outdoor mini native plant nursery throughout the month of June, in celebration of both World Environment Day and Arbor Day. Aimed at encouraging urban dwellers with small city gardens to plant native species to attract native bird life, it will feature a variety of plants, including rare species not commonly available. Information sheets outlining general plant care and what bird life plants will attract will also be supplied. All proceeds will go to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund.

ENDS

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