Head's up: Shira the giraffe is on its way to Timaru
Shira with her mother Rukiya in 2013 soon after she was born. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Shira with her mother Rukiya in 2013 soon after she was born. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Timaru has a tall order coming its way - as Auckland Zoo's 2-year-old giraffe Shira began a three-day sea voyage south this morning.
The young female - travelling in a 4m purpose-built crate - is being relocated to Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park as part of the zoo's regional breeding programme.
Shira's voyage started at 9am with a road trip through suburban Auckland to the Ports of Auckland, where she will board the Quadrant Pacific Liner, Shansi, a 25,000-tonne container ship.
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Motorists and pedestrians on Old Mill Rd, Motions Rd, Great North Rd, St Lukes Rd, Balmoral Rd, Mt Eden Rd, Symonds St, Anzac Ave and Beach Rd had the chance to see the giraffe peeking out of her crate.
After the 734-nautical mile trip to Timaru, Shira will then travel by road to her new home in the Christchurch wildlife park.
Auckland Zoo vet manager Dr James Chatterton, Pridelands team leader Nat Sullivan, and keeper Larry Lee will escort Shira on her journey.
Mrs Sullivan said on-board giraffe luggage will include medical supplies, enrichment items, and some of Shira's favourite foods.
"Shira will be placed in a protected area on the ship and we'll have full access to be with her and check on her at all times to assist her in feeling safe and secure, and hopefully we'll get a smooth sailing."
The breeding programme intends to protect the increasingly threatened African species, as numbers have declined dramatically over the past 15 years due to habitat loss and poaching.
A second Auckland Zoo female, Mdomo, will follow in early 2016.
"Shira and Mdomo are close in age and great mates.
Since Mdomo will follow Shira to Orana in early 2016, we've been training them together to walk into and eat in their respective crates, which they both have been taking in their stride," Mrs Sullivan said.
"While it's sad to see these youngsters go, their relocation to Orana is a really great move for the regional programme, as being part-Rothschild giraffes, they are both genetically valuable animals."
Auckland Zoo will remain home to a giraffe herd of five - adult male Zabulu, adult females Rukiya and Kiraka, and young giraffes - female Zuri and male Mtundu.
Orana Wildlife Park's head keeper of exotic animals, Rob Clifford, said the park was excited to be welcoming Shira and Mdomo.
"These two transfers, as part of the managed zoo-based breeding programme, demonstrate how zoos work collaboratively together for species management.
"Once settled in, Shira will be integrated with our current herd of three females. In time, we hope to source a suitable male with the aim of once again breeding these wonderful gentle giants that are among our most popular animals."
Shira's journey
• 9am: Inside her crate, a truck will take Shira from Auckland Zoo to the Ports of Auckland via Old Mill Rd, Motions Rd, Great North Rd, St Lukes Rd, Balmoral Rd, Mt Eden Rd (through Mt Eden shops), Symonds St, Anzac Ave and Beach Rd.
• Mid-afternoon: The Shansi will depart.
• Thursday/Friday: Arrive in Timaru and travel another three hours via road to Orana Wildlife Park.
Tall order: Shira the giraffe
• Born in 2013, is the offspring of male Zabulu (a Rothschild giraffe) and female Rukiya (part Rothschild).
• The Rothschild giraffe has an estimated wild population of just 670 animals. An additional 450 are in zoos.
• There is just one species of giraffe, the world's tallest land animal, but 9 sub-species. Since 1998, habitat loss and poaching has resulted in giraffe populations plummeting from 140,000 to just 80,000.
• Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund supports the research and conservation work of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
