14 June 2012
Natureland operations manager Gail Sutton is keeping a brave public face on the future of the zoo that has been her focus for 20 years.
Yesterday the small group of parents and children she welcomed into the enclosure did not know that the zoo was again under threat.
"It's a bit like deja vu," she said warily. She appeared resigned to the fact another struggle was imminent, or that she had simply had enough.
Things looked grim four years ago when it looked like the zoo would close, but after the Orana Wildlife Trust came to the rescue, the number and type of animals increased, their enclosures were renovated and staff were dressed in smart new uniforms.
Mrs Sutton said Orana's decision to pull out had been on the cards for a year or so.
She disagrees with public comment that the decline in numbers to Natureland was because entry prices were too high.
"People have complained, but equal numbers have said it's cheap."
Mrs Sutton, who began helping at Natureland as a volunteer in 1991 became a staff member two years later and has managed it since 1997. She has just signed up Natureland's 407th subscriber to the zoo's annual membership scheme.
Nelson man Alan Smith, who grew up visiting Natureland, is one subscriber. He and 3 1/2-year-old daughter Bella visit just about every week.
"She loves it. There's nowhere else I can take her where she can see and touch so many animals."
Bella said her favourites were the "birdies" and the rats that appeared at random to feed off the scraps of bread and "ricies" dished out to the animals legitimately.
"It's a much better place than it was. It would be a shame if it closed," Mr Smith said.
Jasmine Nicholson-Mooney was at Natureland yesterday with her 4-year-old son Corban. She was thinking of becoming an annual subscriber because they lived nearby.
"Corban would be heartbroken if Natureland wasn't here. It's been here since I was a kid, and all the schools come here."
Corban said his favourite was the porcupine, which yesterday was munching on kumara as senior keeper Joanne Gibson gave a talk on the African creature. Corban was quickly distracted by pigeons clamouring for his "ricies".
Lisa Fielding, a visitor from Auckland, said Natureland was cheap compared with many other attractions and was perfectly adequate for children. "They really love it here. It makes them happy."
Mrs Sutton said there had been huge plans for Natureland. The zoo's area was to have been expanded by a couple of thousand square metres, which was part of the deal struck with the Nelson City Council when lease and management negotiations with the Orana trust were settled.
Cotton-top tamarins were on the cards, and research was under way on the possibility of introducing red pandas to Natureland. The walk-through aviary was being revamped and a five-year plan was being drafted, Mrs Sutton said.
It had just taken on two new fulltime staff, taking total staff numbers to seven fulltime and one part-time worker.
"If we hadn't had the earthquakes we'd have had at least one more exhibit by now. I'm sad they happened – gutted really, but I support Lynn's (Anderson, Orana chief executive) decision and I know she's very upset by this."
NATURELAND ZOO
Built by Jaycees volunteers from 1964, handed over to Nelson City Council 1967.
Animals: About 400 exotic, New Zealand native, domestic farm animals, pocket pets, and aquarium species.
Annual running costs: $400,000 to $500,000 funded by gate takings, Nelson City Council and Orana Wildlife Trust.
Annual visitors: 30,000 to 35,000.
Entry costs: $9 adults, $4.50 children and $22.50 for family of two adults and two children.
Annual membership: $36 for adults, $22.50 per child (under-twos free) or $90 for family of two adults and two children.
