Wellington Zoo

Written by Morgan Edgecombe

In New Zealand Zoos are one of the few places Assistance Dogs don't have automatic access. For Wellington Zoo it is quite simple to get permission to visit they just need to know your dog has been fully vaccinated before you arrive (they need to see the vaccination certificate). The first thing you should know is that going to the zoo is quite a different experience with an Assistance Dog. Some of the animals interact with you as they find your dog interesting. Some might show almost too much interest (the chimpanzees) to the point where they get over excited trying to catch the attention of your dog.

When Moose visits the young chimpanzees try to pat him through the glass. They don't like it if they think he is ignoring them and begin to bang on the glass like children trying to get the attention of an animal at the pet store. The squirrel monkeys come to the front of their enclosure and from the safety of the branches let out warning calls about his presence. The Servals gave mixed reactions, one didn't like him but the other tried to engage in play. The Meerkats play "chicken" darting across the glass in front of him. They also scent mark their territory and you begin to notice quite a musky smell. The otters did the same, they came up close and checked him out, then began scent marking their territory. The cheetahs also began scent marking their territory. We watched as they circled their enclosure spraying the fence and trees. The only real negative response is from the Baboons. I advise staying clear as they charge the enclosure glass as they feel the dog is threatening their territory. The Caracal (desert lynx) also have once charged the glass. When I mentioned this to a keeper I was told they always have this reaction when the dingos are walked around the zoo. Overall I like visiting apart from the steep slopes in some parts. Unfortunately this is a fact of life in Wellington - you can't avoid the hilly bits. I have visited with Moose three times so far and am always keen to go again.