Zoo

Address: 200 Daniell Street Newtown Wellington New Zealand
Phone: (04) 803 0777‎
Website: www.zoo.wcc.govt.nz

when: daily, 9.30am-5pm; closed Christmas Day
prices:
* Adult: $18.00
* Child: 3-14 years of age: $9.00
* Under 3: free

Wellington Zoo is home to around 350 exotic and unusual animals including New Zealand's very own prehistoric reptile, the Tuatara, which in Maori means "spiny-backed". Some are critically endangered and some are unique in New Zealand to Wellington Zoo – like the Malayan sun bears and White cheeked gibbons. You can get up close to cheetahs, red pandas, big cats and giraffes as part of a Close Encounter, or learn all about your favourite animal at one of the daily talks.

Wellington Zoo was founded in April 1906 when a young lion was presented to the city by Bostock and Wombwell Circus. First housed in Wellington Botanical Gardens, the lion was moved - with other species - to a specially developed zoo area in Newton Park. It is New Zealand's oldest zoo.

Look out too for the Sumatran tiger, an endangered species, which have thinner black stripes than the other sub-species of tiger found in Asia, and only live to 15 years old. Primates are well-represented in the zoo, with a number of Hamadryas baboons (those of the pink bum) which are the only primate, aside from man, to live in Arabia. Lastly, no self-respecting zoo in New Zealand could be without a kiwi, a small, nocturnal, flightless bird which is the national symbol of the country.

It's a must if travelling to the city with kids.

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