• Popular Christchurch zoo, Orana Wildlife Park was hit with a raft of allegations earlier this year.
• Claims included several animal deaths going unreported, including a giraffe found dead in an enclosure.
• Claims prompted an investigation into the zoo, with findings released today.

A review of Christchurch’s Orana Wildlife Park after a series of animal welfare allegations has concluded that while the zoo lacked a clear vision and direction, there are no immediate concerns over its animals.

Findings released today say the park is required to commit to strengthening animal welfare processes and organisational systems; and further strategic planning, budget planning and policy reviews for improved asset management, maintenance and site safety planning.

The review follows a string of complaints against the zoo, including reports two giraffes who died within two months of each other in 2021, one of which dislocated its neck.

Giraffe at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, May 2020. Photo / Supplied

More than 20 serving and former staff members detailed several animal deaths to 1News, earlier this year, some of which had not previously been reported.

These complaints prompted the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Australasia to commission an independent investigation into the allegations - the findings of which have been released today.

The Orana Wildlife Trust Board also worked with Christchurch-based Culture by Design to assess its workplace culture.

The ZAA report highlighted the need to “increase investment into an organisation-wide culture improvement programme”, along with recommendations to “strengthen the organisation’s approach to animal welfare policy and operating procedures”.

“Responding to findings in relation to safety, ZAA requires Orana to provide greater clarity regarding animal carer expertise and experience,” the report says.

Orana Wildlife Trust Board spokesman and co-chair Professor Ken Hughey said a key finding from both reviews found Orana Wildlife Park lacked a clear and compelling core purpose, which “created some uncertainty around the organisation’s direction”.

He said the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) concluded there were no immediate animal welfare concerns, but it recommended some areas for improvement.

Hughey said WorkSafe confirmed that all animal welfare improvement notices issued have been “resolved to their satisfaction”.

Orana Wildlife Trust Board spokesman and co-chair Professor Ken Hughey addresses the media today. Photo / George Heard

The ZAA report identified a range of requirements - including formalising an animal welfare improvement plan.

“A big part of this plan will be the immediate establishment of an animal welfare advisory group that will incorporate external expertise,” said Hughey.

Hughey says that the Orana Wildlife Trust Board and the ZAA Board have worked very closely over the past months and will continue to do so to fulfil the ZAA requirements over the next six months.

One of the ZAA requirements is a temporary pause on all incoming animal transfers, which Hughey says will allow the park to focus its resources on current operations and completing other requirements identified in the report.

“We are committed to continuous improvement and to seeking operational innovations. We are addressing the required actions from the ZAA report in an integrated, informed and collegial fashion,” he said.

“Part of our work includes formalising an animal welfare improvement plan. A big part of this plan will be the immediate establishment of an animal welfare advisory group that will incorporate external expertise. This group will work closely with the board to provide further assurances to stakeholders.”

The Orana Wildlife Trust Board has already appointed two new co-chairs and is also seeking a new chief executive following the report.

“We are grateful to our staff for their participation in these reviews. Orana is embracing a future-focused approach aimed at building strong leadership, team alignment, and strategic clarity,” said Hughey.

“We are genuinely excited about the bright future for Orana Wildlife Park and look forward to welcoming visitors this summer.”