The zoo where a keeper was crushed to death by an elephant may be set to open once more.
Helen Schofield was accidentally killed by her beloved African elephant Mila at Tuakau's Franklin Zoo in 2012.
The zoo has been closed since then and all of its 430 animals have been rehomed.
Mila, the last to go, was moved to San Diego Zoo at the end of last year.
Now Auckland woman Michele Harrod is on a mission to buy the 3.4 hectare property and open it to the public as an animal sanctuary.
The Unitec bachelor of applied science graduate has launched a crowdfunding campaign and aims to raise $2.9 million by December 31.
That will cover the $1.8 million needed to buy the 3.4 hectare zoo, as well as costs for renovations and the first two years of operation.
It is an ambitious plan but Harrod says she is ''100 per cent'' certain it will succeed.
People have already donated $208,000 since the campaign was launched two weeks ago.
The average donation is just under $100, she says.
''I think this is something that people really want.''
Schofield's sister Jenny Chung says Harrod's plan is a ''dream come true''.
It honours her late sister's legacy and her passion for animals, she said.
''There's nothing I'd like more than to give the property to Michele, but there's a lot of debt - Helen put herself into debt running the zoo,'' she said.
Harrod has dubbed her project The Animal Connection and sees it as a haven for unwanted or abused domestic animals.
She also hopes to run programmes where young people can learn about and interact with animals.
''I think us humans so underestimate animals and the things they give back."
If the campaign succeeds The Animal Connection will be held in a trust so it can remain open for future generations.
All donations will be returned if the full amount is not raised.
*Go to theanimalconnection.org.nz for more details or to donate.
