Today June 21st is World Giraffe Day – an initiative set up by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. So today I headed along to the Auckland Zoo.
World Giraffe Day at Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is a 16 hectare (40 acre) zoo located in Western Springs. The Zoo first opened in 1922 and has been running strong ever since. The Zoo is open seven days from 9:30am to 5pm (1 May – 31 August). From the months of September to the end of April the Zoo is open until 5:30pm. Last admission is at 4:15pm.
Adults are $25, children (4 – 14 years) $10, students/senior citizens $20. There are family pass options available as well. Prices are due to go up 1 July. See their website for more details.
Prior to arriving at the Zoo I walked through Western Springs Lakeside Park.
Western Springs Lakeside Park
The Zoo is divided up into different themed sections, that include Pridelands, ASB Elephant Clearing, Hippo River, Te Wao Nui, Orangutan Trial, KidZone, The Tropics, Aussie Walkabout and Tiger Territory.
I started at Pridelands, since it was the Giraffe’s day and that is where they reside. Also in the Pridelands were Zebra, Springbok, Ostrich, Rhinoceros, and Lions.
During World Giraffe Day at the Zoo visitors could see how they measured up against a 4 month old Giraffe.
Lions, Auckland Zoo
Throughout the day there were several scheduled animal encounters where keepers explained a little bit more about the zoo’s animals. I went to animal encounters for Giraffe, Elephant, Orangutan, Tasmanian devil and Tiger.
Burma during Animal Encounter, Auckland Zoo
Tiger during Animal Encounter, Auckland Zoo
Auckland Zoo is located on the city centre fringe, and is a perfect day out for families and animal lovers young at heart.
Motions Road, Westerns Springs
9:30am – 5:00pm (1 May – 31 August)
9:30am – 5:30pm (1 September – 30 April)
