Zoo offers action-packed Orangutan Caring Week
27 October 2009
A special birthday party for four-year-old orangutan Madju and the launching
of a nationwide 'Don't Palm Us Off' campaign on Saturday 7 November (10am - 3pm)
will mark the start of Orangutan Caring Week (7 - 14 November) at Auckland Zoo.
Party-goers can enjoy free face painting, check out orangutan-related
displays, sign Madju's birthday album, get hands-on and contribute to the zoo's
'Don't Palm Us Off' mural, and sign postcards in support of the campaign.
At 12.30pm, primate keepers will present a special orangutan encounter that
will include presents and birthday cake for Madju, and singing him happy
birthday.
At 1pm visitors will be able to find out who the winners are in the zoo's
inaugural 'Palm Oil Free Bake-Off' and sample their efforts - available for
purchase. With competition expected to be fierce, the zoo is delighted to have
passionate foodie, internationally renowned Kiwi chef, author and broadcaster,
Peta Mathias, joining the judging panel.
"Unfortunately, as we celebrate Madju's life, the lives of up to 50
orangutans a week are being lost in Borneo and Sumatra. This is primarily due to
the destruction of their rainforest habitat for oil palm plantations and illegal
logging, and at this current rate of deforestation, we're faced with the
alarming reality that orangutans could be extinct in the wild within12 years,"
says the zoo's Conservation Officer, Peter Fraser.
"Our 'Don't Palm Us Off' campaign is asking Food Standards Australia New
Zealand (FSANZ) to legislate to label palm oil on all food products that contain
palm oil (or its derivatives), and we're hoping all New Zealanders will join us.
"Palm oil is now in one in ten supermarket products, but on most of these
products, it's not labelled. Along with our zoo friends in Australia, Auckland
Zoo believes everyone should have the right to make an informed choice about
whether or not they want their food purchases to drive the orangutan and many
other rainforest species towards extinction," says Mr Fraser.
From 7 November, New Zealanders can sign the 'Don't Palm Us Off' petition
online at www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
or a 'Don't Palm Us Off' postcard on-site at the zoo.
Throughout Orangutan Caring Week, the zoo's Wild Zone Gift Shop will be
offering an orangutan-themed Story Time at 10am daily, special offers, and the
chance to win great prizes.
Other events include Saving the Orangutan - an evening with Dr Ian
Singleton, director of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP) on
Wednesday 11 November (6.30pm - 9.15pm) at Unitec, and The Great Ape Race
at the zoo on Thursday 12 November (6pm - 9pm).
Sumatran-based Dr Singleton has more than 20 years experience working with
these critically endangered great apes. His presentation is a rare opportunity
to hear first-hand about the current situation facing the orangutan in the wild,
and the work that is being done by SOCP (a project the zoo supports) to help
ensure its survival.
For the Great Ape Race, the zoo is joining with its friends, Lactic Turkey
Events, and inviting everyone along to a fun navigation event for a great cause.
Aucklanders are encouraged to round up their family, friends or workmates to
get a team together for an amazing around-the-world race at the zoo - no
experience required! Participants need to pre-register for this event, which
costs $25 for adults and $10 for children. All profits will support the Sumatran
Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP).
Event details
ORANGUTAN CARING WEEK (7 - 14 November)
- Madju's Birthday, Saturday 7 November, 10am - 3pm. Rain date - Sunday 8
November. Normal Zoo admission prices apply. Friends of the Zoo, free.
- Saving the Orangutan - an evening with Dr Ian Singleton, director of the
Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project, Wednesday 11 November, 6.30pm - 9.15pm
at Unitec Lecture Theatre 1018 (Building 23). Cost $25 per person (includes
refreshments). To book, phone (09) 360 3805
- The Great Ape Race, Thursday 12 November, 6pm - 9pm. Rain date - Friday
13 November. Cost $25 adults, $10 children. Pre-registering required. Visit
www.aucklandzoo.co.nz or
phone (09) 360 3805. All profits supporting orangutan conservation.
Auckland Zoo thanks Scarborough Fair, Trade Aid, Just Juice, Whittaker's and
Devonport Chocolates for their support of Orangutan Caring Week.
