When did you last visit the zoo?

From City Scene, published on 9 December, 2007

New arrival: Forrest (pictured with his mother, Rukiya) is one of two giraffe calves born recently at Auckland Zoo.

Auckland Zoo, owned by the council, carries out important work protecting endangered species, as well as offering the family a great day out.

A leggy problem for newborn calf

Auckland Zoo's giraffe population got a boost last month with the birth of Forrest, the second giraffe calf born at the zoo in the last four months.

The male calf stands 1.8m tall, weighs a healthy 55kg, and was named Forrest after the title character in the movie Forrest Gump - since both the calf and the movie's central character had problems with their legs.

In the calf's case, Forrest was born with contracted tendons, meaning he has been using his ankle joints instead of his hooves to move around. Fortunately, he is expected to make a full recovery.

"Forrest and his mum, Rukiya, are doing very well," says Auckland Zoo Pridelands keeper, Niki Walker.

"Forrest's leg condition continues to improve each day. A giraffe born in the wild with contracted tendons would be unlikely to survive, so we are fortunate to be able to care for him here at the zoo and give him the best possible start."

The Zoo wins award

Wild Christmas fun: ASB Christmas at the Zoo on Sunday is a traditional family favourite.

A strong case of animal attraction has seen The Zoo win a record-breaking seventh award in the TV Guide's Best on the Box People's Choice Awards.

The television series about Auckland Zoo, produced by Greenstone Pictures, took out top honours in the best documentary series category, with more than 11,000 readers taking part in the annual vote. This makes the series the most awarded show in the awards' history.

"We're delighted the show has come out on top again," says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken. "It's a real endorsement of the quality of the show and of New Zealanders' love for animals and the environment."

The Zoo screens in 96 countries and Jonathan says the series is a wonderful way to highlight the plight of animals and profile New Zealand species. Greenstone Pictures is now filming a 10th series, due to screen later next year.

Auckland Zoo also got the thumbs up from the more than 40 specialist wildlife vets who attended a three-day annual conference of the NZ Veterinary Association's Wildlife Society at the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM), last week. "We're delighted to have hosted this conference, a first for us at the zoo," says NZCCM vet and conference convenor, Dr John Potter. "It provided a fantastic opportunity for wildlife vets in New Zealand to meet and discuss cases, present new ways of improving the health of species, and share knowledge."

Evermore and Katchafire to perform at zoo

Liven up your summer nights: Evermore and Katchafire to perform at the zoo.

Liven up your summer nights at the zoo this January and February by heading along to watch top Kiwi artists perform.

The line-up for Wild Bean Cafe ZooMusic 08 features some of New Zealand's most talented musicians, including Evermore, Liam Finn, Hollie Smith, The Phoenix Foundation, Katchafire (pictured left) and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The concerts aim to raise money for conservation projects, with the 2007 series collecting $25,000 for national and international projects. For more information about the concert series and the conservation projects it supports, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz Tickets are available from Auckland Zoo, phone 360 3805, www.ticketmaster.co.nz or by calling 970 9700 .