Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The wait is over...

We have been waiting patiently, well maybe not patiently....expectantly....eagerly....and finally last night the first baby Cook Strait Giant Weta were spotted.  Once the adults have breed and the female has laid her eggs they die, so we have not had any adult Giant Weta on display for about 3 or 4 months.  It has been a long wait but definitely worth it, we have estimated that there are about 50 but there could be as many as 100+.  They are about 6 - 7mm in length (they grow up 70mm in length) and are enjoying a diet of leaves and fish food (yes fish food - a great source of protein apparently!!).
Next time you visit the aquarium see if you can spot them....

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A busy December...

Yet another busy couple of weeks at the aquarium.
On December the 3rd we had a special evening for children with disabilities or illnesses called "Dreamnight at the Zoo" or Aquarium in our case.  Dreamnight at the Zoo occurs all over the world and started in 1996 by Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands.  The night was a great success with 38 children and their families invited.  Everyone got to get up close with some of the aquariums main attractions including Izzy and Bluey the Blue Tongue Skink, Peanut the Ringneck Parakeet, and a Little Blue Penguin.  It was a great night which was thoroughly enjoyed by all...





We have also had three new arrivals at EcoWorld, on Sunday Regan was in Christchurch picking up three Cook Strait Tuatara.  These guys are only 4 years old so are much smaller than our Brothers Island Tuatara.  You have to be quiet to spot them as they are still getting use to their new home, but they are worth waiting to see...