Hamilton Zoo celebrates Conservation Week

In celebration of Conservation Week 2012 Hamilton Zoo is hosting a range of different experiences which highlights the theme “uncovering backyard treasures,”.

The zoo is holding talks at 11am and 2pm each day throughout Conservation Week,  which runs from September 9 to 16. The talks will include a group of Mahoenui giant weta and a few reptiles for zoo-goers to get up close and personal with.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said the aim of the talks is to educate the public about how to uncover and care for wildlife such as weta on their own properties.

“When it comes to conservation, people think about the work undertaken in places like national parks, reserves and zoos; however, they often don’t consider the wildlife that exists in their own backyards.

“Our aim for Conservation Week is to raise awareness of and encourage the conservation of our own backyard treasures,” he said.

A group of students from Hukanui Primary school were among the likes of zoo-goers attending the talks on Wednesday.

Keeper Kara Goddard said the kids loved looking at creepy crawly critters.

“We wanted to show that it’s not all about having a totally immaculate backyard but a backyard that can provide refuge for the treasures you might find like skinks, weta and all sorts of bugs,” she said.

One student, after playing with the reptiles, said he wanted one as a pet.

On Saturday and Sunday the zoo will provide rotten logs for people to pull apart and see what they can find.

Ms Goddard said the aim of this is to show a rotten log isn’t just a rotten log, it’s actually a haven of different things like wood lice, huhu grub, and things that will feed other birds and animals.

She said they are hoping for better weather and a great turnout over the weekend.