Wellington Zoo exists to encourage people to find their personal connection with nature. With an historic record 216,657 visitors on site and more followers on line we reached more people than ever before with stories and experiences that are life changing.
We have continued our commitment to conservation outcomes through activities such as our conservation partnership programmes like Forest and Bird Places for Penguins, our Conservation Fellowship which supports the Kea Conservation Trust and Victoria University biodiversity research in Wellington and our Conservation Fund which allows our staff to undertake field conservation which links to the work they do every day in caring for and supporting the animals in our care at the Zoo.
"We reached historic milestones for our Zoo this year and I continue to be so proud of our staff and their commitment to our Zoo."
Through efficient management of our resources and excellent business acumen, the Trust was able to generate revenues equal to 50% of its operational costs, finishing with another good year.
The Nest Te Kōhanga continues to show industry leadership in the veterinary area by treating over 1000 native wildlife patients as well as caring for the Zoo’s collection of over 500 animals and releasing our very famous visitor, Happy Feet, in September 2011. Happy Feet put Wellington Zoo on the map locally and globally in the past year and I believe we may never see the likes of such a phenomenon again.
We opened Kamala’s Function Centre in The Hub precinct in the central part of the Zoo and this has enabled us to provide better amenities for our visitors and guests as they relax with a coffee or play on the blue tongue lizard slide!
Wellington Zoo Trust met or exceeded 19 of the 24 targets we set ourselves for 2011-12. Across the six strategic elements we achieved significant results to move the Zoo forward as a successful organisation. I am particularly proud of our conservation breeding and wildlife care successes, our sustainability results and the introduction of STQRY to our visitor experience, the first zoo in New Zealand to use this technology.
For the second year running a Wellington Zoo staff member was awarded Wellingtonian of the Year- Environment, with Dr Lisa Argilla being the 2011 recipient. This award is an honour and a privilege.
We reached historic milestones for our Zoo this year and I continue to be so proud of our team and their commitment to our Zoo. We have set the bar high and we strive to find continuous improvement year on year. We want to achieve our strategic goals as a world class Zoo with a community of supporters who are setting about finding their own personal connection with nature so that together we are positively acting for our environment.
Karen Fifield
Chief Executive Officer
