News Release
Bird show takes flight at Rainbow Springs
Ritchie the macaw
Rainbow Springs' new free flight bird show is thrilling the crowds at the Rotorua park.
Recently opened to the public, the stars of the show are Ritchie the macaw - one of the world's largest parrots -
Charlie the cockatoo and Qantas the galah. More birds will join the show as they are trained.
Mark Paterson, Wildlife and Presentations Manager says, "The feedback from show spectators has been amazing, they love
being able to get right up close to the birds and watching them fly across the arena.
"Months and months have been spent training the birds and slowly introducing them to new surroundings, the auditorium,
people and various noises. While the birds are still undergoing training, and the show is still being perfected, they're
looking pretty sharp."
The birds are joined in the show by a blue tongue lizard and water dragon for a fact filled and fun look at their lives
and habitat. The show is held daily at the park's new auditorium.
The auditorium is part of a recent $10 million development at the Rotorua park that includes 'The Big Splash' water ride
- a 9 minute journey through time exploring the ecological evolution of New Zealand with an adrenalin rushing plunge at
the end. State of the art animatronics and projection technology bring to life dinosaurs, moa, the incredible Haast
eagle, the arrival of humans and much more.
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.
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