Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand's only open-range zoo, sitting on 80 hectares of land, located on the outskirts of Christchurch. It opened in 1976, and is owned and operated by the Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charity. The aims of the Trust are to provide quality recreational opportunities for local people and visitors to Christchurch; conserve endangered native and exotic wildlife; educate visitors (especially children) about environmental and conservation issues; and support research relating to endangered animals.
Orana generates over 95% of its income through gate takings and other trading activities. Fundraising is an essential focus; Orana must separately raise 100% of funds for all capital projects, improvements and animal transfers. Funds have been donated from a variety of sources, including philanthropic trusts, private donors and bequests. As of 2017, over $15M has been raised to develop the Park. All buildings and enclosures except the Great Ape Centre have been built in-house. Many local businesses have assisted in the Park's construction by donating materials, consultancy and equipment.
In 2013 the park suffered a number of setbacks, including an ape escape, snowstorms and wind damage, and was forced to close its doors for 10 days.
In 2015 Orana became home to New Zealand's only gorillas, with three males, including a silverback arriving at the park.
Current Animals
Orana is currently home to numerous animals from the following species:
Addax
African lion
African wild dog
American bison
Black swan
Black-and-white ruffed lemur
Black-handed spider monkey
Brown teal
Cape crested porcupine
Cheetah
Common ostrich
Common waterbuck
Crested porcupine
Egyptian tortoise
Emu
Forest gecko
Giraffe
Gold-striped gecko
Helmeted guineafowl
Kea
Kererū
Lace monitor
Lady Amherst's pheasant
Lowland nyala
Meerkat
Morepork
New Zealand bellbird
Orange-fronted kākāriki
Plains zebra
Ring-tailed lemur
Scimitar-horned oryx
Shingleback lizard
Siamang
Small-clawed otter
Southern brown kiwi
Southern white rhinoceros
Springbok
Sulphur-crested cockatoo
Sumatran tiger
Tasmanian devil
Tibetan yak
Tuatara
Water buffalo
Western lowland gorilla
Whio
History and Key Events
1970–1975
The South Island Zoological Society was formed in 1970.
On 10 September 1976, Orana's first animals arrived from Australia, including 18 lions, 2 tiger cubs, 2 camels and 2 water buffalo. Orana Park (now Orana Wildlife Park) officially opened on 25 September 1976.
1976–1985
The park opened with 28 animals from six species. During the first ten years of operation, new animals were regularly added and Stage One of the African Plains, a major expansion, was completed.
Upon opening, Orana's main drawcard was the drive-through Lion Reserve, the first and only one of its type in New Zealand. The drive-through Lion Reserve operated from 1976 until 1995. Today, Orana operates a "Lion Encounter" and the experience is an 'historical nod' to the drive-through days.
In 1977, Timber Wolves arrived and the Farmyard was also created. Wolves were a visitor favourite for many years and the interactive Farmyard continues to be popular. In 1978, an island home was created for spider monkeys, the zoo's first species of primate.
Two pairs of rare Scimitar-horned oryx were transferred in 1979. Oryx symbolise what the Park's founders hoped for when Orana was formed. Oryx were declared extinct in the wild in 1984 but captive breeding programmes resulted in the species being re-established in protected areas. Orana was the first institution in the world to breed oryx by artificial insemination and over 80 oryx have been bred at the zoo.
In 1981 Stage One of the African Plains opened. This meant that visitors could view African savannah species, such as zebra and oryx, across water moats.
Giraffes were added in 1982. Orana has contributed to the managed zoo-based programme and over 15 giraffes have been bred, most of which were transferred to other zoos.
The South Island's first kiwi house was created in 1984. Today, Orana plays an important role in the captive component of the recovery programme. Over 20 kiwi from Orana have been released to the wild and chicks have also been transferred to other captive centres.