Hamilton Zoo Purring With Record Attendance

Hamilton Zoo has marked up a new record for visitor numbers.

With just a few days to go in the 2010-2011 financial year, the Hamilton City Council owned zoo has welcomed more than 137,000 visitors – 22,000 more than for the 2009-2010 financial period.

Zoo staff attributed the surge in visitors to new attractions - such as the popular meerkats, the weka walk-through exhibit and baby rhinoceros Bunty- as well as continued good patronage by school groups. The meerkats and their antics and the naming of Bunty through a widely publicised competition drew considerable media attention and engaged the public, said Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley.

With difficult economic conditions continuing to effect household budgets, Council and zoo staff believe the facility is attracting more local visitors who see it as a more costeffective outing for families.

“We’re really pleased with the uptake of the visitors’ annual pass which we launched in October, and we are certain local people are using these passes to maximise their opportunities to visit the zoo,” Mr Standley said.

The increased visitor numbers were also a reflection of the hard work of his staff, and their commitment to their jobs, Mr Standley said..

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

NAME: Stephen Standley
DESIGNATION: Hamilton Zoo Director
TEL (DIRECT): 07 838 6954
EMAIL: stephen.standley@hcc.govt.nz

NAME: Jeff Neems
DESIGNATION: Media Relations Executive
TEL (DIRECT): 07 838 6509
MOBILE: 021 818 564
EMAIL: jeff.neems@hcc.govt.nz