Seventy-one hectares of land host over 1400 animals. That is Auckland Zoo. Opened in 1922, Auckland Zoo has grown into New Zealand’s largest zoo. It is home to over 135 different native and exotic animal species.
Auckland Zoo started with businessman J.J. Boyd. He purchased land in Onehunga to establish Auckland’s first zoological facility in 1911. Boyd’s Onehunga Zoo faced many complaints from local residents. The council tried to close it. Boyd even became mayor of Onehunga. Changes in council by-laws forced Boyd to close the zoo in 1922. Auckland City Council bought Boyd’s remaining animals. These animals became the core of Auckland Zoo.
The zoo opened on December 16, 1922. Lord Jellicoe and Mayor James Gunson attended the opening. Western Springs was semi-rural back then. The public loved the idea of a zoo. However, the early zoo was a bleak place. Initial funding was only 10000 pounds. In 1923, staff planted 5000 trees to improve the grounds.
The council arranged for a flying aviary and a monkey house. They also built accommodation for polar bears and bison. Money went to a bandstand and hippo pools. An elephant house, refreshment kiosk, and tiger arena were added.
L.T. Griffin was the zoo’s first supervisor and director. He traveled to Africa in 1923 to find species. The zoo quickly expanded. Jamuna, a female Indian elephant, became the zoo’s first animal star. Her name is remembered in Jamuna Plaza. Early mortality rates were high. This was common for zoos at the time.
In 1927, the zoo continued to expand. By December, it housed 250 mammals of 80 species. There were over 1000 birds of 130 species. The zoo also had 24 reptiles of 6 species. Total spending reached 53818 pounds. Staff struggled with rats but received animal donations. In 1928, 25 mammals and 62 birds were born at the zoo.
The Auckland Zoological Society formed in 1929. Its purpose was to encourage scientific study. In 1930, the zoo’s first male elephant arrived. Rajah came from Hobart Zoo in Tasmania. He was thirteen years old. Rajah was put down after six years due to his unpredictable nature. Someone had put a lit cigarette up his trunk in Hobart. Rajah’s skeleton is in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
Mortality rates dropped in 1931. This was due to better housing and handling. L.T. Griffin died in 1935. Lt. Col. E. R. Sawer became the new director. Sawer believed zoos should focus on education, science, and conservation. He made significant changes.
Sawer reduced stock numbers in 1935. Some species disappeared completely. He paired animals and improved enclosures. By 1937, the animal mortality rate dropped to 9%. Natural increase overtook mortality in mammals by 1939. Sawer improved animal diets with vitamins. He was also a gifted marketer.
During World War 2, the zoo struggled. Attendance was down. Animal importation and food were scarce. US military personnel helped the zoo. Many weekend visitors were in uniform. The zoo was in fair condition after the war.
New capital works were approved in 1948. The zoo had 165 mammals in 51 species. There were 329 birds in 98 species and 19 reptiles in eight species. An aquarium was built. The zoo could finally exhibit kiwi. This was partly because New Zealand soldiers were called Kiwis during the war.
Sawer retired and the council pursued animal entertainment. Robert W. Roach became the curator in 1949. Roach opened new exhibits and introduced postcards. Chimpanzee shows began in 1955. The tea parties ended in 1964. These chimpanzees displayed abnormal behavior.
Derek Wood became zoo supervisor in 1960. He brought a male giraffe. Wood called for pairing animals and improving accommodations. In 1965, the elephant Jamuna died. The zoo formulated a 25-year plan. It included expansion into Western Springs Park.
The early 1970s brought improvements to the grounds and animal care. Public feeding stopped in 1979. The NZI Kiwi Nocturnal House opened in 1971. Expansion into Western Springs began in 1973. A rural zoo proposal was considered but never realized. In the late 1970s, new giraffe, zebra, and antelope enclosures were completed.
A new hippo enclosure was built in 1980. The zoo’s entrance moved to Motions Road in 1981. Fireworks were banned after a giraffe’s death. The aquarium opened in 1982.
Auckland Zoo had giant pandas for three months in 1988. Over 300000 people saw them. The first orangutan in New Zealand was born at the zoo in 1989.
The zoo opened the Elephant Clearing exhibit in 1990. Polar bears were phased out in 1995. The zoo opened Pridelands in 1997.
Today, Auckland Zoo continues its mission. It is committed to wildlife conservation. The zoo actively participates in conservation projects. It works both in New Zealand and overseas. Auckland Zoo aims to protect our wild world. It strives to educate and inspire future generations.