Hamilton Zoo

Birthday treats, keeper chats, and a very special giraffe. 🦒🎂 Happy 4th Birthday, Jabali! 💚

One of our ice hockey-playing Grounds Team member scored big with this lemur enrichment! 💚✨

🦗➡️🦎 Snack attack!
A keeper-offered insect makes the perfect snack for this tuatara.
Blink and you'll miss it!

Peggy's kind of perfect morning. ☀️💕

A Rare Visitor Returns to the Ocean

On 9 July, a juvenile Buller’s albatross was found inland in Cambridge - an unusual sight for a species typically seen soaring above New Zealand’s coastal waters. Also known Toroa or Buller’s mollymawk, this remarkable seabird is one of the smallest members of the albatross family.

The young bird had most likely become disoriented during its travels and found itself far from its natural habitat. Upon arrival our dedicated veterinary and animal care teams carried out a thorough health assessment. Fortunately, the albatross was in good condition overall, with only a minor bruise on its right leg.

After several days of supportive care and monitoring, the bird regained its strength and was ready to return home. Working together with the Coastguard, we were delighted to release the albatross back into the wild off the coast of Raglan.

This successful outcome highlights the importance of collaboration in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Every animal deserves the opportunity to thrive in its natural environment, and we are proud to play a role in supporting New Zealand’s unique wildlife when they need our help.

Caring for animals means supporting them through health challenges, and that's where Peanut is right now.

Peanut, our Nubian goat, has been living with severe arthritis in his right front leg for the past two years. Over time, putting extra weight on his other leg has led to additional strain and ligament damage.

Over the last six months, our veterinary and animal care teams have explored every available option to keep him comfortable, including cold laser therapy, pain medication, and Arthramid Vet joint injections.

Unfortunately, these treatments are no longer providing the relief they once did, and Peanut is showing increasing signs of discomfort. He is still having good days, but also bad days. While we continue to monitor him closely and support him with the best care possible, there are now very few treatment options remaining, so we fear we will need to let him go soon.

We know many of you care deeply about our animals, and we wanted to share this update as we focus on what matters most: Peanut's comfort, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Wait for it... 🐾🐟
A fishing cat on a mission.