Hamilton Zoo, Zoo in Rotokauri, Hamilton, New Zealand
Hamilton Zoo is a large wildlife facility in Hamilton that houses hundreds of animal species from around the world. The grounds contain separate habitats for native New Zealand animals alongside exotic species such as chimpanzees and tigers.
The facility started in 1969 as a private wildlife farm and transferred to city management in 1976. This transition marked the beginning of its growth into a conservation-focused institution.
The zoo's Māori name is Rawhi Whakaaturanga o Kirikiriroa, using Kirikiriroa, the Māori name for Hamilton. Its red pandas carry names from Tibetan and Nepalese: Ketu means 'comet', while Nima, Karma and Dawa mean sun, star and moon. The southern white rhinos came from Kruger National Park in 1999.
The 25-hectare site on Brymer Road in Rotokauri lies on Hamilton's northwestern outskirts. Bus route 3 runs from central Hamilton to the zoo. Paths, boardwalks and plantings laid out under the 1987 concept plan link the exhibits, so allow time to walk between the far sections.
Hamilton Zoo holds a bachelor herd of giraffes rather than a breeding group: the species coordinator advised keeping surplus bulls, and Masmamba, Jabari, Ndale and Dume arrived from Auckland Zoo between 2004 and 2007. The zoo was also the first in New Zealand to gain full accreditation from the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
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