Uncovering backyard treasures at Hamilton Zoo
4 March 2013
This week is your chance to get up close and personal with some very cool native insects and reptiles at Hamilton Zoo!
Conservation Awareness Week has landed at Hamilton Zoo today and runs through until this Sunday 10 March.
To celebrate, Hamilton Zoo staff are giving people the chance to meet some of the zoo’s native insects and reptiles and running a series of talks about how to uncover and protect these species in your very own backyard.
The viewing times and talks will be:
- 10.30am in the weekdays (4 – 8 March)
- 11am and 1.30pm on the weekend (9 – 10 March).
Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley said the talks will be fun, interesting and will teach people how to protect native species in their backyard and encourage even more of them to come and stay!
“When it comes to conservation, people think about the work undertaken in places like national parks, reserves and zoos, however they often don’t consider the wildlife that exists in their own backyards” he said.
“As well as the birds and insects that you do see around the home, there is potentially a whole range of other creatures living on your property that you don’t see – including many native species such as weta, stick insects, skinks and bats. Our aim for Conservation Awareness Week is to raise awareness of and encourage the conservation of our own backyard treasures.”
Conservation Awareness Week is a joint project between Hamilton Zoo, Department of Conservation and Project Echo.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
| Name: |
Natalie Palmer |
| Designation: |
Communication Advisor |
| Tel (Direct): |
07 838 6481 |
| Mobile: |
021 834 245 |
| Email: |
natalie.palmer@hcc.govt.nz |