End of an Era for Southern Encounter Aquarium & Kiwi House
Staff members of Orana Wildlife Trust wish to express their heartfelt empathy to the people of Christchurch, especially those who have lost loved-ones and been displaced following the Christchurch earthquake.
Orana Wildlife Trust, owners of Southern Encounter Aquarium & Kiwi House (Cathedral Square, Christchurch), are saddened to report that the inner city attraction has closed indefinitely following last Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Thankfully though all staff and visitors were safely evacuated after the event but the building is deemed unsafe.
Whilst overwhelmed by the situation, Chief Executive, Lynn Anderson, is full of admiration for her team. "Our staff have each poured their heart and soul into Southern Encounter and made it a fantastic attraction for our city. Over the past week they have worked incredibly hard, going beyond the call of duty and risking personal safety, to rescue and release many of the animals. Whilst the building had been officially 'red stickered,' we gained access approval every eight hours to re-fuel the generators that powered the life support systems. Each time the generators were re-fueled staff gathered as many animals as possible to transfer or release them.
Many of the terrestrial animals such as kiwi, tuatara and geckos have been transferred to other wildlife centres such as our sister facility Orana Wildlife Park. Many fish, including the eels and over 100 Nationally Endangered Canterbury mudfish, were released to the wild. Unfortunately there was a limited time period that the life support could be maintained. Sadly, the decision was made on Monday to humanely euthanase the remaining fish that staff could not rescue owing to damage sustained to the building.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the authorities who granted access to ensure the welfare of our animals and to those who have helped us work through this time from outside our organisation.
This latest earthquake has had a monumental impact upon our city and its people. Whilst it is very upsetting that Southern Encounter has not survived the event, we remain so grateful for the good fortune that all staff and visitors were safely evacuated."
Southern Encounter played a key role in helping attract people to the city centre. The facility gave people a glimpse at the beautiful creatures found in our waterways and also enabled visitors to see some of New Zealand's most unique native animals. The attraction was also a valuable educational facility and hosted thousands of school children on curriculum linked education programmes.
"We take this opportunity to thank the public for their support of Southern Encounter over the years."
