Staff from the Ministry of Primary Industries are at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch today after current and former staff raised animal welfare concerns.
1News’ Thomas Mead spoke to 20 current and former Orana Wildlife Park staff as part of an investigation. They detailed a raft of animal welfare concerns, including animal deaths and injuries that have never been brought to light before.
READ MORE: Buried trauma: zookeepers expose animal deaths at Orana Wildlife Park
Several current and former keepers have described feeling isolated or ignored by the park’s management.
Orana has disputed the allegations and suggested that some of them are inaccurate, out of context, or missing vital information.
Today, MPI staff arrived at the zoo to undertake an “initial and rapid” assessment of conditions.
“We want to be assured that all animals are well and healthy,” MPI’s director for compliance and response Glen Burrell said.
MPI maintained that the zoo was subject to “robust” annual verifications and visits from officials.
“The latest verification report in December 2023 found the zoo was meeting requirements, with staffing at appropriate levels and no animal welfare issues identified.”
The spokesperson said MPI had investigated the zoo five times for historical complaints. dating back to 2017, and “has not found any breaches of the Animal Welfare Act”.
“We have one active investigation into an incident involving an antelope, and we cannot comment further at this point.
“We’re committed to animal welfare and if we find any issues from our rapid assessment, we will ask the zoo to take actions to ensure animals are protected. The public can be assured there is a strong system in place for monitoring zoos and their operations.”
The report on the rapid assessment is expected in two days.
