Diary Page

July 2003

What's new

What's Happening Over the School Holidays

The school holidays are the perfect time to visit the Sanctuary and enjoy some of New Zealand's natural and physical heritage. Over the school holiday period the Sanctuary will be running regular daily Sanctuary / Gold Mine Tours at 11am and 2pm. The Morning Star gold mine is an amazingly preserved, intriguing little gold mine. Come along and discover its history and native inhabitants like cave weta! The Sanctuary is open every day - weekdays, 10am to 4pm. Weekends and public holidays 10am to 5pm. Visitor Centre, Waiapu Road, Karori (first left after the Karori tunnel). For further information please call 04 920 9200.

Support the Sanctuary while enjoying a magical night of music

The NGC Wellington Sinfonia will perform in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday 26 July 2003 beginning at 6.30pm. For every ticket you purchase for the concert, $5 will go to the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition, you receive a $5 reduction on all ticket prices, (which range from $15 to $35). Tickets can be purchased from any Ticketek outlet or by phoning 04 384 3840 (a transaction fee may apply to telephone bookings). When you purchase your tickets, just mention that it is the special Karori Wildlife Sanctuary offer. There is no limit on the number of tickets that you can purchase at the reduced rate.

Help bring back the bird song to Wellington

In 2001-2002, nearly 60 korimako or bellbirds (Anthornis melanura) were transferred and released in the Sanctuary, most from Kapiti Island. At least 26 bellbird chicks hatched and fledged in the Sanctuary between September 2002 and February 2003, the first time bellbirds have successfully relocated and breed in New Zealand.

Bellbird - photo taken by Peter Reese

We would like to do another translocation of bellbird in June this year to further increase the gene pool for breeding and ultimately provide a wider spill over of bellbirds into Wellington – returning the bird song to the capital city once again. However, translocating and post-release monitoring of the birds is a costly process.

The Sanctuary Trust would like to raise $50,000 for the next relocation of bellbird. Your financial support would be greatly appreciated to help us with our next bellbird release. If you would like to provide financial support to the bellbird appeal please send your donation to Bellbird Appeal, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, P O Box 9267, Wellington or call the Sanctuary on 04 920 9200.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Click here to see press release.

Support the Sanctuary

Help support the Sanctuary and get a book of fantastic vouchers at the same time.

Now you can have six beautiful greeting cards depicting the birds you are helping to save. We need urgent funds for habitat restoration so please help by ordering your cards today.

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