Giraffes, Galapagos tortoise, orangutan, parrots and pigs will be among Auckland Zoo residents receiving a dietary boost through a unique zoo, west local boards and Local and Sports Parks West initiative.
The zoo browse project, thought to be a first in New Zealand, will see their favourite fodder grown on five west Auckland parks, providing a sustainable food source for a variety of zoo animals.
More than 2000 native plants suited to animal taste buds have been funded by Henderson-Massey, Whau and Waitākere Ranges local boards and planted by volunteers from the boards, Auckland Zoo, and Kaurilands and Glen Eden primary schools.
The zoo browse plantations are at Corban Reserve and Taipari Strand in Henderson-Massey, Singer Park and Clayburn Reserve in Waitakere Ranges, and Akatea Park in Whau.
The smorgasbord on offer comprises coprosma - a favourite for giraffes and also palatable to Galapagos tortoise, wallabies, orangutan, pigs, rats and rabbits – the New Zealand native houpara (pseudopanax) for orangutan, kaka and other parrots, puka for orangutan and giraffes, karaka for giraffes and tree lucerne for orangutans.
Henderson-Massey Local Board Chair Vanessa Neeson says the plantation sites have been chosen for good access for a utility, so the plants can be harvested all year-round.
"Auckland Council has many hectares of land suitable for growing browse fodder," she says.
"This is a great initiative that benefits everyone involved. It provides the zoo with a reliable and sustainable browse supply in areas near to each other and not too far from the zoo, saves mowing so much of our parks, and provides scrummy fresh food for the animals."
