Orana Wildlife Park MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Awesome Arachnids at Orana

Orana Wildlife Park’s Native Fauna Keepers are thrilled to be working with the Park’s latest new specimens - six sub-adult tarantulas. The spiders, too young to be sexed, arrived last week and have settled in nicely. Orana holds two animals representing each of the Chilean Rose, Brazilian Black and Andean Stripe Knee species of tarantula which were transferred from England. Later in the year, four Mexican Red Knee spiderlings will also arrive at the Park.

Head Keeper of Native Fauna, Alyssa Salton, says: “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with such amazing animals. This is the first time that large spiders have been held at Orana.

Tarantulas are fascinating animals with amazing features. They moult their entire exoskeleton which is fairly impressive! Males have hooks on their legs and if they lose a leg a new one starts to grow when they moult. Unfortunately people often seem to be fearful of them and we hope to change that perception. I actually think they are quite cute. We have named them Marvin, Rose (Chilean), Betsy, Borris (Brazilian), Gingy and Flicky (Andean Stripe).

The spiders are housed in terrariums within the Park’s Conservation Centre (not on public display) meaning it will be some time before Park visitors can view the animals. The reason is that Wellington Zoo arranged the transfer of the tarantulas and offered Orana the chance to acquire some specimens. Naturally, we could not turn down such a wonderful opportunity but as this was not a planned new species, a display habitat now needs to be built.

Prior to the arrival of the spiders, we consulted extensively with local experts, visited their tarantula exhibits and have learned a great deal about the spiders and their requirements. I am delighted that Park staff have all been absolutely intrigued by the animals, even those who are not so keen on spiders have taken a huge interest in them. I am sure visitors will really enjoy seeing them once we have built a display exhibit for the animals”. concludes Alyssa.

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