Well for me after a visit to The Auckland Zoo the answer is most definitely YES!
I hadn't visited the Zoo for years. Last weekend I took a spur of the moment visit and I came out a better human being. I remember going there as a child and even then I was sad at the sight of so many unhappy animals in cages or artificial enclosures far removed from their natural habitats. They were then seen as curiosities, things to be displayed rather than as cohabitants of our world.
But the world has changed. With mankind encroaching more and more on animal habitats and with global warming,many animal species face extinction or being hunted to the brink of extinction. The role of Zoos has become a vital tool in the conservation of rare and endangered species and as a way to educate the younger generations- who will inherit this world- on the importance of saving our planet's wildlife.
With this shift in focus Auckland Zoo has for years been redefining it's role and millions have been spent creating environments for the animals that replicate as closely possible their native habitats.
Being down here at the bottom of the world we are not the ideal place for a lot of species but with climate specific environments and large enclosed areas with viewing areas and private places away from the curious humans the animals seem healthy and happy. There are no cages and the birdlife live in huge open air aviaries.
The seal aqurium at feeding time seen thru a huge glass panel.
In New Zealand we have some amazing creatures but unlike a lot of the world we lack ...well exotic animals.Our national bird the Kiwi is dull brown and can't fly! It is nocturnal and shy so most New Zealanders never see one in the flesh.
The huge nocturnal Kiwi House. Here you have a decent chance to actually see a Kiwi.
I get used to seeing amazing wildlife docos but when I actually saw some of these creatures up close face to face their beauty, size and colours truly took my breath away. I suddenly realised we are not the only living things on this planet as I never had before.No doco,film or computer encounter-just REAL WILD LIFE!
I felt like a kid again filled with wonder for the natural world. I wanted to go exploring the jungle!
The great thing was that the Zoo is a busy place with constant upgrades ongoing. There were so many families and young kids getting up close and personal with creepy crawlies and other critters. Even with few tourists due to Covid the place was alive.
Children are the key to saving the planet's dwindling wildlife=e,flora and fauna.It was good to see parents taking their kids to the Zoo and many exhibits have interactive kid friendly activities.
A giant whale skeleton archway.
!
Meerkats are so comical because they act so much like humans-you can see what they are thinking of us!
I'll just let a few images tell their own stories.
Some enclosures look just like the wild(almost..it's not Africa but the next best thing)
The old elephant house is now a restaurant and the elephants have a newer happier home
This wall closing off an area being redeveloped is covered in animal photos taken by schoolkids
So what's the point?
Well some of you may have countries full of exotic wildlife running around free so Zoos are kind of boring to you.Lucky you!!We don't and my visit just drove home how fragile our wildlife population is and how precious a gift it is-without it we wouldn't survive.The whole world is one big Zoo!
So do yourself a favour and take yourself and some kids to the nearest Zoo and be amazed afresh about our natural world-you will come out a better animal!!
