Admissions

By all measures we have had a successful year. Admissions were up nearly five percent on last year – almost six percent above our annual target – and admission revenue was up more than 25 percent. The Close Encounters programme has been especially popular, bringing in almost $17,000 on its own.

Please view our Monthly Admissions chart.

Special events
We were delighted to host a Dream Night in early March for 74 children and their parents and others from the Child Cancer Foundation – an evening of fun activities that was declared a huge success. And in September a reception for the opening of the Nigalya Ponya Valley welcomed the red pandas to their new home.

Feedback loops
During the April school holidays we asked visitors for their thoughts about the Zoo – as it is today and our future plans. More than 90 percent said they thought of it as their Zoo, that they agreed with our new direction in terms of Close Encounters and Roving Guides – which they say aided their learning – and that they would take the time to attend a free live animal presentation as part of their visit. Other opinion surveys conducted through the year gave similar results: around 90 percent were satisfied with the keepers' knowledge and staff performance and 80 percent with the variety of animals.

Once again Wellingon City Council's annual satisfaction survey noted that nearly half (49 percent) of all Wellingtonians visited the Zoo in the last 12 months and 86 percent of them were more than satisfied with their visit. Both of these measures continue to show a slightly upward trend.

Offsite visitors
The Zoo has featured in various TV programmes, news stories, and regular press columns over the year. Our veterinarian team has participated in a number of stories for Cream TV's coming "Wild Vets" series, including footage of them darting, operating on, and generally caring for our animals. The exciting arrival of the two cheetahs from South Africa was filmed for this series, which is due to air in early 2006.

Visitor amenities

Café
Eva Dixon's, our Zoo café, has become increasingly successful during the year. The café lends warmth to the atmosphere of the Zoo's entrance, letting our visitors know that we want them to spend time here. With the window on the meerkats' new enclosure and the fabulous animal images projected by video onto the wall, the café is really the beginning of the visitors' Zoo experience.

Shelter and seating
Augmenting the existing seating and picnic tables, sheltered seating installed in the Nigalya Ponya Valley and the shade sail hung opposite the golden lion tamarins – sponsored by the Lion Foundation – provide shelter from the sun and light rain. Sheltered viewing for all-weather visitor comfort will continue to be part of all future exhibits.

In addition, electronic double doors were installed in the main entrance to the Zoo, making it much easier to come in out of the wind and rain – especially for those with wheelchairs or pushchairs.