Free-Flight Bird Show Auditorium Complete
Rotorua, 19 December, 2011 – Rainbow Springs has completed construction of its new 384-seat free flight bird show auditorium and the birds are
progressing well in their training.
The finalisation of the auditorium marks a significant milestone in the completion of the park’s multi-million dollar
development, which also includes a ‘Big Splash’ water ride and a children’s playground.
The large new auditorium features a tiered seating arena giving park guests a unique experience where they will be wowed
by the birds’ ability to fly to different points on command and interact with the trainers.
The flock of birds that star in the show includes galahs, macaws, a cockatoo and an Amazon parrot.
The birds are currently at an advanced stage of their training. They have developed a rapport with the trainers and fly
to different perches on command. The training team has also begun to introduce the birds to the outdoor environment and
get them used to the new enclosure.
Rainbow Springs Wildlife Manager Mark Paterson says, “The birds are progressing well and we are looking forward to
giving park visitors the opportunity to see these magnificent creatures flying free like they do in the wild.”
Charlie, a sulphur-crested cockatoo has already developed a number of novelty behaviors including a coin trick where he
picks a coin out of a person’s hand and will walk along his perch to put it into a money box.
The twice daily free-flight bird shows will commence early next year and each show will last 20 – 25 minutes.
Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park is an icon of New Zealand tourism and has been open since 1932. Spread over 22 acres
of Rotorua parkland, Rainbow Springs is a conservation and breeding haven for endangered New Zealand species such as
Kiwi and tuatara. The park offers a unique wildlife experience for visitors, who can see animals in their natural
environment, both during the day and night. Features of the award winning tourist attraction include New Zealand’s first
‘open to view’ Kiwi hatchery, and a range of wildlife including trout, tuatara and native birds.
Rainbow Springs, Fairy Springs Road, Rotorua.