Great reasons to go ape this summer

20 December 2005

Great reasons to go ape this summer at Auckland Zoo

'An evening with primates' and a screening of the classic King Kong are among special conservation fundraising events for holidaymakers to enjoy at Auckland Zoo in January.

If the new King Kong movie has fuelled your fascination for primates, you will appreciate 'An Evening with Primates' on Sunday 8 January (5.45pm to 9.30pm). It is an exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes, learn more about these amazing animals, and support field conservation.

You may even recognise some of these creatures from Peter Jackson's latest offering. Featured in the opening scenes of the new King Kong movie are Auckland Zoo's spider monkeys, cotton-top tamarins, orang utans, and chimpanzee Janie!

Along with close encounters with ring-tailed lemurs and cotton-top tamarins, this Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund evening incorporates a spider monkey talk at the rainforest, complimentary drink, and a sumptuous buffet meal. This meal will be prepared by a Sumatran chef and will be held in the Old Elephant House. Among zookeepers you will meet, will be 'The Zoo' television star, Christine Tintinger, who will be sharing her experiences of her time in Sumatra assisting the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP).

Limited to 40 people, tickets are $70 per person, and bookings must be finalised by 31 December, so book now! Phone Auckland Zoo Information Centre on (09) 360 3805. All proceeds go to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, which supports in situ (field) conservation projects, both locally and overseas.

'Ark in the Park' in the Waitakere Ranges, Campbell Island teal, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP), Cuc Phuong Turtle Project in Vietnam, and Cheetah Outreach in South Africa are among the projects the fund supports.

For movie buffs up for a wild, out-of-the-ordinary experience, the zoo will be screening the classic King Kong movie in its themed Grasslands theatre on Thursday 26 January. All proceeds from this event will also go the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund. Full details on this event will be up on the zoo's website, www.aucklandzoo.co.nz , by the end of this week.

ENDS

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