A tiger at Orana Wildlife Park photographed in April 2024. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Animal investigators say they are yet to uncover any evidence of neglect at Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park, despite discovering an underweight tiger.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) completed its rapid assessment of the site on Tuesday after concerns were raised by 20 current and former staff that the park was hiding fatal accidents of its animals.
A 1 News investigation reported pleas from zookeepers in 2021 to treat a sick gorilla that later died were overlooked multiple times, and animal deaths were not properly reviewed.
The park previously admitted a newborn giraffe that managed to escape one of its enclosures and died on a cold and stormy night in 2021, was the result of "an extremely rare case of human error".
Staff have also raised fears about the defective and "unsafe" condition of park vehicles used out in the field.
Park management have defended their operations, brandishing the allegations as "out of context".
MPI's inspection included checking the welfare of each animal and assessing the zoo's systems, protocols and staffing levels.
Director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said they discovered one tiger that was "slightly underweight" during the visit.
He said Orana planned to increase its feed and monitor its progress as a result.
"There is no evidence of neglect, and the zoo has a plan to address the issue," he said. "Otherwise, we did not identify any immediate animal welfare or staffing issues."
Investigators also spoke to senior zookeepers covering each area of the site.
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
"Staff were knowledgeable and committed to their work with the exotic animals," Burrell said.
"We also noted that the zoo's staff were adequately trained or had relevant work experience and that there were good procedures in place for the welfare of the animals."
Keepers had alleged they were understaffed and could not properly care for the animals, and that animal deaths "were swept under the rug".
MPI confirmed there were six vacancies at Orana at present, with these levels to be monitored.
"We consider there are enough staff to provide an acceptable standard of care to the animals."
Orana has been ordered to provide all of its records into animal deaths at the site and an investigation linked to a previous complaint about an antelope at the zoo is continuing.
"This work will take more time," Burrell said.
Earlier in the week Orana's leadership held an emergency meeting, as the park came under heated scrutiny with the government's animal welfare regulators carrying out on site checks.
'Annual' audits of the site will now be carried out quarterly given the gravity of the allegations.
"While the complaints about the zoo appear largely historical, they are serious in nature, and we will be undertaking more regular checks of the zoo's performance against its animal welfare requirements," Burrell said.
WorkSafe carried out a workplace assessment at Orana Park on 13 June to identify the level of compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act. The assessment found "poor engagement with workers on health and safety, and shortcomings on vehicle maintenance by the Orana Wildlife Trust".
WorkSafe subsequently issued two improvement notices to park's management, requiring its findings to be addressed by 29 July.
The regulator will carry out a targeted assessment next month.
The park will also commission an external review into the organisation's culture.
