Sustainability
Environmental sustainability
For all enquiries on Auckland Zoo's sustainability and environmental issues, contact our Conservation Officer, Peter Fraser, here: Contact us
Here at Auckland Zoo we take our environmental responsibility extremely seriously. Zoos aim to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity, but this aim is undermined if we work in ways that deplete natural resources or pollute our environment. Auckland Zoo has made environmental leaps and bounds since first setting goals in 2001 to reduce our footprint. Click on the headings below for a snapshot of how Auckland Zoo is looking after our precious planet.
Click here to download Auckland Zoo's environmental policy (PDF)
Waste
Zoo's not only produce a lot of waste (from day to day operations and the waste our visitors produce), but also waste of a 'special' nature. Most composting centres for example will not accept the significant amounts of bamboo our animals chew through, bedding material that has come into contact with primates or flax from our gardens. Auckland Zoo has therefore had to come up with some creative solutions to deal with our unique waste stream.
Click here to learn more.
Water
Zoos require huge amounts of water. Burma (our Asian Elephant) requires around 100 litres of drinking water per day! Water is an important component of behavioural enrichment for our animals, and cleaning of their enclosures. A stream runs through Auckland Zoo's grounds and empties into the Waitemata Harbour, so it is extremely important that we do not pollute it. We also have over half a million visitors a year who require the use of facilities such as toilets and drinking taps. It is therefore crucial that we use water as efficiently as possible to reduce pressure on a limited resource, reduce our vulnerability in times of drought and avoid significant costs that continue to rise.
Click here to read what we do.
Office
Like any business, Auckland Zoo needs to carry out the office side of our operations in a way that is environmentally responsible.
Click here to find out what we are doing.
Horticulture
A huge portion of Auckland Zoo's physical footprint is comprised of those other living things – plants. Greenery is a key element of our animal enclosures and our visitor's experience. Our specialised horticulture team provide the naturalistic landscape in exhibits, highlighting the interdependence between animals and plants and enabling animals to engage in natural behaviours such as foraging, browsing and nest building.
Click here for more information.
Buildings
Buildings have the potential to alter the environment significantly. Worldwide, buildings consume 25% of virgin wood, account for 40% of energy use and 16% of water used annually. Badly built structures can also suffer from "sick building syndrome", exposing workers to unhealthy environmental conditions. Auckland Zoo aims to reduce these impacts through better planning, design, construction and operation of our new buildings.
Click here for examples.
Energy
Without electricity, Auckland Zoo simply could not function. Our sea lions need their 'seawater' to be kept at a frigid temperature and must be constantly filtered. Our native frogs need a cool, moist environment created for them. Imagine the energy required to warm zebra, giraffe, rhino, elephants, reptiles, birds, lions and primates on cold winter nights. Energy use has associated environmental impacts – namely water use and climate change. Energy prices also continue to increase steadily. So what does Auckland Zoo do to keep our energy use as efficient as possible?
Click here to find out.
Green Team
The Green Team is a group of staff from all sections who meet monthly to discuss issues of sustainability here at the Zoo. The group identifies priority issues to tackle, research green options, conducts audits and implements the Zoo's environmental policy.
Environmental Management System
Auckland Zoo is ISO 14001 accredited. This is an international standard of an Environmental Management System (EMS), which commits the Zoo to legal compliance, pollution prevention and continued improvement in environmental management. Underlying our EMS is a robust environmental policy, which is committed to by all staff and contractors and is made available to the public via our website.
Click here to read media release on Auckland Zoo achieving the highest environmental accreditation
Sustainable Animal Acquisitions
It is important that zoos are not a drain on the remaining wild populations of threatened species. The world's more progressive zoos now work closely with each other to decide which species are held in which zoos, and how they are managed. Through this co-operative approach, zoos are able to reduce (and in most cases eliminate) the need to collect animals from the wild or to import animals into their region to supplement existing captive populations. The benefits of this approach include increased viability and sustainability of zoo populations, and more opportunities to actively contribute to conserving wildlife.
