The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) will undertake “more regular checks” of Orana Wildlife Park after former and current staff raised concerns over animal welfare.
Staff from MPI visited the Christchurch park yesterday for a rapid assessment after a 1News investigation exposed a raft of animal welfare concerns.
1News’ Thomas Mead spoke to 20 current and former Orana Wildlife Park staff as part of the investigation.
Orana has disputed the allegations and suggested that some of them are inaccurate, out of context, or missing vital information.
READ MORE: Buried trauma: zookeepers expose animal deaths at Orana Wildlife Park
It follows a 1News investigation revealing allegations of animal welfare concerns at the zoo. (Source: 1News)
Today, MPI staff were back at the park, completing their rapid assessment of Orana’s operations.
“This includes checking the welfare of each animal and assessing the zoo’s systems and protocols, including staffing, to ensure they are fit for purpose,” a spokesperson said.
“To date we have not identified any immediate animal welfare or staffing issues, noting we have one active investigation underway at the zoo related to a previous complaint about an antelope.
“As part of our work, we have required the zoo to provide us with its records, including all deaths and injuries to animals and what follow-up actions were taken.”
1News understands the active investigation relates to nyala buck Ijefe, who was one of animals featured in a 1News investigation earlier this week.
On March 8 this year the nyala – which is a type of antelope – became so panicked during an attempted location move he ran into a fence and injured his lip.
The next day, another attempted move saw him rip his face down to the jaw.
In June, he was sedated and moved to a new paddock. Two days later he was found dead.
Orana have said he was a very nervous animal and it was a unique situation.
MPI is investigating further.
A 1News investigation has uncovered a raft of concerning animal welfare issues at the Christchurch zoo. (Source: 1News)
The ministry said it would now undertake more regular checks of the zoo’s performance, which would take place quarterly instead of annually.
These checks will increase in frequency should evidence of animal welfare issues be found.