Sirocco escort will turn others green

Meet Sirocco at Zealandia
22 July - 3 September
Booking essential: (04) 920 9200 and online.
Event link: http://www.visitzealandia.com/kakapo

Sirocco Returns to Wellington’s Zealandia
Prize draw winner will turn others green!

Have you met a kākāpō yet?

He’s big, handsome and one of only 124. Sirocco, the rock-star kākāpō ‘Spokesbird for Conservation’, has enough charm to win over the hearts of young and old alike and he’s making a return to Wellington for 6 weeks from 22 July.

He’s looking for a personal escort so put your name in the hat and you could release him at Zealandia!

Despite late viewing hours over 4,300 people came face-to-face with the living legend at Zealandia during his first stay in 2011. This time, Sirocco Encounters can be booked at the earlier times of 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm.

“It’s a much more family-friendly schedule; we want kids to see kākāpō and learn about the issues Sirocco advocates for on behalf of Kākāpō Recovery” says Zealandia’s Education and Visitor Experience Manager Brian Ireland.

“During his last stay we received an average 8.6 out of 10 feedback rating, with 99% saying they would recommend others to visit. We’re confident this time will be even better. Improvements are being made to the viewing area and by popular demand we can now offer hot food and souvenirs. But these are just the small things; kākāpō are our taonga and being in the valley at night with one is a special and memorable experience.”

Unlike the ugly fall-out from most sex tapes, Sirocco’s story is one of heady success. He may not be part of the breeding program but he’s making more kākāpō another way; Sirocco has turned the world’s eyes on the plight of his species – our critically endangered kākāpō, or ‘parrot of the night’, of which there are now only 124 left.

Sirocco has come a long way since his first memorable TV appearance on the BBC documentary Last Chance to See. After his risqué behaviour shot him to YouTube stardom, the Department of Conservation crowned him their official Spokesbird and let Sirocco loose on social media. Harnessing the interest from over 5 million video views Sirocco has now garnered 15,000 Facebook fans and 5,000 Twitter followers - attention that was put to effective use during a recent international online poll by Arkive.org where kākāpō beat tigers, elephants and polar bears to become the #1 favourite species in the world.

Staff and volunteers at Kākāpō Recovery are still awaiting a breeding year for the species; their last was 2010-11. In that time Sirocco has made a number of public appearances with his next set for 22 July – 3 September at Zealandia. With all kākāpō living on offshore islands his tours are the only chance the general public have to see a kākāpō up close.

Booking essential
22 July - 3 September

Book your date with a kākāpō. Introduction and short film, then face-to-face with the charming Sirocco.
Evening tours from 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm.
Book at: www.visitzealandia.com/kakapo or call (04) 920 9200, option 3, 10am - 5pm.

MEET SIROCCO STANDARD PRICE ZEALANDIA MEMBERS
*25% OFF*
Adults $39.50 $29.62
Children (3-17 yrs) $19.50 $14.63
Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) $98.50 $73.88
Children under 3 FREE with accompanying adult
10% TO KĀKĀPŌ RECOVERY. 100% TO CONSERVATION.

Special dates with Visa Wellington on a Plate

Not just the living legend but legendary food to match! Book your dinner date with Sirocco for a memorable evening.
Fri 16 & Sat 17 August, 6.30pm–9.30pm.

• Come face-to-face with the charming Sirocco.
• Enjoy a short bush tour to find traditional Māori ingredients in the wild.
• Come back and savour a delicious two-course meal inspired by the natural kai of Tāne’s forest. This includes a glass of carboNZero-matched wine or non-alcoholic mocktail.

Adults $89, Children $69 (10–17 years). 25% OFF for Zealandia members.
Book with VisaWellingtonOnaPlate.com

Logos
[ENDS]

© Scoop Media