Over 100 years old and home to more than 500 species, Wellington Zoo is a major attraction of New Zealand and the country’s capital, loved for its collection of animals and cultural significance as a historical landmark. In addition to being a source of entertainment, the zoo protects native endangered species and contributes to conservation through breeding and education. Located in the Greenbelt of Wellington city in the south of the North Island, it covers a space of 130,000 metres squared and hosts a range of animals, from exotic species to native wildlife.

Wellington Zoo is an interactive place, where visitors can get up to close to certain animals, including a one-legged kiwi called Tahi, in addition to giraffes, red pandas, meerkats and even two cheetah brothers. The Nest is another feature involving visitors who can ask questions to staff performing veterinary procedures on animals while watching from an open viewing gallery. The zoo is home to typical classic Australasian wildlife, such as Tasmanian devils, dingoes and kangaroos.In addition to exotic and endangered species, one of the main animals is the Malaysian sun bear called Sasa. Another important feature is the endangered species, the Sumatran Tiger, which visitors can see at the zoo and learn more about them during guided tours and talks that happen on a daily basis.

Situated in the country’s capital, Wellington Zoo is easily accessible by flights and long distance buses, and there is a local transport service connecting the centre of the city with the zoo with stops directly outside the gates. The drive from downtown Wellington is less than 10 minutes in the direction of Newtown, and there is space for parking as well as a bike rack for cyclists.

Opened in 1906, Wellington Zoo was the first zoo in the country, created with a goal of enhancing environment education and bridging the gap between people and animals. The first Sumatran tiger came to the zoo in 1990, and in 1992 the zoo received two Malayan sun bears from San Diego. By maintaining a comfortable environment and implicating breeding programmes, the zoo has expanded its collection over the years, including successfully mating endangered species.