Orana Wildlife Trust MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Orana to Withdraw from Operating Natureland Zoo

Orana Wildlife Trust has reluctantly advised the Nelson City Council of its decision to withdraw from operating Natureland Zoo this year.

Chief Executive, Lynn Anderson, says “We remain positive about Natureland’s future and will work with the Nelson City Council towards finding a new operator for the facility.

Orana Wildlife Trust took over the operation of Natureland in October 2008 in good faith. Nobody could have predicted what nature had in store for us in Christchurch. The earthquakes, coupled with three significant snow storms over the past year, have changed our situation and operating environment so significantly and dramatically that the only prudent decision is for the Trust to focus all of its efforts on ensuring the successful future of Orana Wildlife Park, a major asset to Christchurch and the whole South Island.

We have thoroughly enjoyed running Natureland and working with the dedicated staff in Nelson. However, the Trust no longer has the resources and time required to operate Natureland or implement the redevelopment plan we set out to achieve. This means Natureland would remain in a holding pattern under our management and this is untenable for the future of the attraction.

We propose that the Council put out a request for proposals in order to gauge interest from other potential operators who are in a position to invest the time into running Natureland and taking the fantastic facility forward” concludes Lynn.

Key achievements of Orana Wildlife Trust’s management of Natureland:

· Natureland was set to close in March 2008 until Orana Wildlife Trust entered negotiations with the Nelson City Council and took over the operation of the facility in October 2008.

· A new meerkat enclosure was added in December 2008.

· A new African crested porcupine enclosure was created and opened in November 2010.

· A retail shop extension to the existing entrance building was created in November 2010.

· Significant maintenance was completed including food preparation upgrade.

· A Ministry of Education Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom Contract was secured.

· Overall, Natureland is in a much better state of repair.

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