Orana Wildlife Park, Open-range zoo in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Orana Wildlife Park is a zoo spread across about 80 hectares with over 1000 animals from around 40 species living in spacious areas. You can drive or walk through the grounds to see creatures in habitats designed to resemble their natural environments.
The park was established in 1976 by the South Island Zoological Society, starting with just 28 animals from six species. Its original concept as a drive-through lion reserve later expanded into the diverse facility it is today.
The park focuses on protecting native New Zealand species alongside endangered animals from around the world through active breeding efforts. Visitors can watch staff care for creatures that are rarely seen in the wild, making conservation work visible and tangible.
The park is easily accessible from Christchurch Airport and offers scheduled feeding sessions with animals throughout the day. Visit during warmer months when animals are most active and visible on the grounds.
The park is the only place in New Zealand that keeps gorillas and runs as an open-range zoo where you can drive through. This combination makes it a rare opportunity to see these large primates while experiencing a completely different type of zoo setting.
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