Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao

25/06/2025

This month, we kept up our theme of caring for Seabirds as a Giant Petrel (Pāngurunguru) made its way to Te Kōhanga The Nest!

This Pāngurunguru was brought to us by a member of the public, who found them stormblown on Ōtaki beach. Seabirds get stormblown when severe weather grounds them and they’re unable to take off, which makes them become progressively more weak while they can’t access food or water.

Because of this, this Pāngurunguru’s bloods showed evidence of struggling kidneys low protein, indicating starvation. Thankfully, after a full health check, treatment, and enough time to recuperate, this Pāngurunguru was ready to be back on the water! We released them back into the wild last week thanks to the help of the Maritime New Zealand Police boat 🌊🛥️

Over the years, we’ve seen it all: the damage that climate change, fishing nets, pollution, cars, weather, and accidental human carelessness can do. We are so grateful for the support of everyone who helps us support these animals to recover.

If you’d like to help us to care for these native species, you can make a donation for a Daily Medicine Kit at the link below 🩺

https://wellingtonzooshop.com/products/daily-medicine-kit

Send a message to learn more

24/06/2025

We loved seeing everyone celebrate Matariki surrounded by friends, whānau, and nature this weekend – and we also loved reading everyone’s wishes to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi in our wish jar down at the Barn!

No matter how big or small your aspirations are, it’s important to take time to focus on what we want to the future to look like. Arohanui to everyone who got involved with our Matariki activities, we hope you had a long weekend that filled your cup! 💫

📸 Ranger Anya and Educator Cat

23/06/2025

It’s T-minus 1 week left until the School Holidays!

Panic not - there’s still time to book your tamariki in for an unforgettable School Holiday adventure here at Te Nukuao 🐯🐅

Head to our website to learn all about Zoo Detectives, Snow Leopard Celebrations, Charismatic Carnivores, and everything else your young ones could be getting up to this July! 👀

https://wellingtonzoo.com/.../things.../holiday-programmes/

22/06/2025

It’s National Volunteer Week! ❤️✋

Today, we want to highlight the incredible mahi that our Volunteers do around the Zoo to keep everything s***k and span behind the scenes (and on the scenes too!)

We’re so grateful to the countless hours they have spent helping Te Nukuao to become all that it is, and for the spirit and care woven into every interaction.

To our vollys: thank you for your genuine passion for people, animals, and hard work – you bring community with you everywhere you go.

Ka pai tō mahi, and pat yourselves on the back! 👏

20/06/2025

Whangaia ka tupu ka puāwai - That which is nurtured blossoms and grows ✨🌳

This week for Matariki, we’ve been adding intentions for the year onto this tree guided by the wishes of Hiwa-i-te-rangi, the whetū associated with hopes and dreams.

By setting wishes and goals to protect our waterways, forests, taonga species, and native plants, we can look forward to another year of helping Te Taiao to grow and flourish alongside us and our tamariki.

Small and meaningful actions can make a big difference towards climate change. Whether that be planting local trees in your garden, cutting down meat consumption, or picking up rubbish, every little bit adds up!

What is your environmental goal for the year?

Mānawatia a Matariki everyone, we hope you get to spend some time out in nature this weekend 💚

19/06/2025

Here’s a glimpse into our Ring-Tailed Lemur Close Encounter and what’s on at the Zoo this weekend 🌌 Mānawatia a Matariki! ✨

18/06/2025

We hope you all get to spend some quality time with your friends and whānau this weekend 🌟💙

17/06/2025

Say hello to our favourite disco invertebrate, the Emperor Scorpion! 🕺🪩🦂

Te Nukuao is proud to have every single Scorpion in NZ under our roof... (that’s a whopping grand total of 4, by the way). Oh yeah and did I mention, they glow in the dark!?

Because of a process called biofluorescence, these Scorpions turn into an electric blue colour under UV lights. The strangest part is that nobody is quite sure why...

It’s been theorised that is could be a way to find each other in the dark, or a method to confuse their prey, or maybe even just a natural chemical reaction – either way, we think it’s super cool!

You can see the light show for yourself on the Minibeasts Close Encounter – but be sure to wear your sunglasses 😎

16/06/2025

Manaaki whenua, manaaki tāngata, haere whakamua - If we take care of the land, and take care of the people, we will take care of the future 🌱

Here are some pics of our team getting some weeding done at the Restoration Site next to the Zoo!

We are helping to restore this section of the town belt by weeding, clearing litter, and planting native trees in collaboration with Wellington City Council.

Even right in the middle of the Pōneke, restoring biodiversity is an important part of the global climate. Taking care of our environment like this helps to clean the air that we breathe, protect our homes from flooding and erosion, and provide homes for the animals we share the city with – so it’s a win win for everyone! 🌬️🌳🐦‍⬛

Ka pai to everyone who got their hands dirty - and don't be afraid to get out in the garden and do some planting of your own!

13/06/2025

As happy as a Kunekune in mud that it’s Friday! 🐽

📸 Ranger Emily

12/06/2025

Diet and climate change are interconnected – but did you know you don’t have to go vegan to still make a difference?

Red Pandas are classified as carnivores, but their diet is primarily made up of bamboo and veggies. Just like them, you don’t need to be a vegetarian on paper - instead, incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet and learning which foods create to a lower footprint can be very impactful!

Did you know that:

🐔 Chicken, eggs, and pork nearly always have a lower carbon footprint than beef and lamb.

🥩 If you want a lower-carbon diet, eating less meat is nearly always better than eating the most sustainable meat.

🌱 Being flexitarian is almost as good for the planet as going vegan, according to a 2021 New Zealand study.

🍳 It’s more useful to think in terms of individual foods rather than in categories: less “meat is bad” and more “chicken is has a smaller carbon footprint than beef, and a similar greenhouse gas footprint to eggs.”

Making some substitutions here and there is a great way to approach climate change, because small steps you can stick to still make a big difference.

Sources:
https://ourworldindata.org/less-meat-or-sustainable-meat
https://thespinoff.co.nz/kai/02-10-2024/the-meat-lovers-guide-to-eating-a-more-climate-friendly-diet
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20221214-what-is-the-lowest-carbon-protein

📸: Calvin