Latest news with #Cardrona
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Cardrona Drops In On Bondi As Thinkerbell Launches First Work For RealNZ
New Zealand's Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone hit Bondi Beach last week, inviting surfers to trade the sand for snow in a one-morning-only Board Swap - the first piece of work from RealNZ and its newly appointed earned agency, Thinkerbell. The activation landed after the highly anticipated opening of Cardrona's 2025 winter season and the launch of Soho Basin: a 150-hectare terrain expansion, and the resort's biggest milestone in over a decade. With fresh ground to explore, it was the perfect moment to tempt Aussies off the sand and onto the slopes. From first light, a crew of surfers - joined by Aussie pro, Olympian and two-time world champ Tyler Wright - were offered snowboards and lift passes in exchange for surfboards and the chance to win three-day passes to Cardrona or Treble Cone. Each swapped board was donated to the Bondi Surf Club. The work marks the start of Thinkerbell's remit as RealNZ's earned agency of record across New Zealand and Australia. RealNZ is New Zealand's leading tourism and conservation operator, offering some of the South Island's most iconic experiences - including Walter Peak High Country Farm, Pātea Doubtful Sound, Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone - all part of a broader mission to help people fall in love with conservation. Jessica Allison, General Manager at Thinkerbell Aotearoa says, 'Board Swap is a brilliant expression of what this collaboration is all about: using creative earned ideas to bring RealNZ's story to unexpected places. Landing snowboards at Bondi is attention-grabbing, but it also captures something deeper: the thrill of discovery, and the invitation to experience Aotearoa's wild side. We're proud to kick things off with work that's as imaginative as it is purposeful.' Alesha Stefanissin, General Manager of Marketing at RealNZ says, 'This work is a bold start to our partnership with Thinkerbell. We've got world-class experiences and a big story to tell. Thinkerbell brings the energy, creativity and reach to help us do that across both sides of the Tasman.'
Edinburgh Reporter
05-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh Zoo has given names to the rescued lynx
Three abandoned lynx which were quarantined in Edinburgh after they were rescued in the Highlands have been named Caledonia, Cardrona and Bluebell. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) trapped the vulnerable big cats in January after they were spotted near Kingussie in the Cairngorms National Park. The animals – all females thought to be under a year old – were quarantined at Edinburgh Zoo before being given a permanent home together at the RZSS's Highland Wildlife Park in May. The wildlife conservation charity offered the chance to name the trio to Scottish schools and people and organisations who had donated money to help care for the animals. Judith Bowman, carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park, said: 'It has been wonderful to care for the three girls here at the park over the past month. We are already seeing their playful and curious personalities flourish. 'Thank you to Kinlochleven Primary P3-4, who chose Bluebell's name, and submitted an amazing competition entry on their commitment to protecting nature. 'Caledonia was named by our prize draw winner and Cardrona by the Weir Charitable Trust. Without support from kind people like this our wildlife conservation charity wouldn't be able to continue its vital work.' A total of four lynx were abandoned in freezing conditions in January. They were humanely trapped but one, a male around the same age, died shortly after being rescued. The surviving trio were put into quarantine in Edinburgh where they were monitored closely by vets and given full health checks. It was quickly established that the animals would not be able to survive in the wild, which ruled out any possibility they could be transported to parts of Europe where the species is being reintroduced. Speaking in May, RZSS chief executive David Field said: 'The lynx were clearly habituated to humans and would most likely have died if they hadn't been rescued as they would not have been able to find food for themselves. 'Caring for these cats at Highland Wildlife Park will help raise awareness of this incredible species and support discussions about how to reintroduce wildlife in Scotland responsibly.' Visitors to Highland Wildlife Park can now spot Caledonia, Cardrona and Bluebell and learn more about the species and the conservation challenges they face. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Three lynx rescued in Highlands named by local primary school and charity
The animals were rescued in January after being illegally released into the Highlands. Three lynx rescued after being abandoned in the Scottish Highlands earlier this year have been named. The three animals were saved by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. As reported by the Daily Record, the three lynx were captured in January after they were illegally released in the Scottish Highlands. In May, they were relocated to Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie. Having settled in at their new home, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland gave Scottish schools and donors the chance to name the three girls. The charity has revealed the names are Caledonia, Cardrona, and Bluebell. Carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park Judith Bowman commented: "It has been wonderful to care for the three girls here at the park over the past month. We are already seeing their playful and curious personalities flourish. "Thank you to Kinlochleven Primary P3-4, who chose Bluebell's name, and submitted an amazing competition entry on their commitment to protecting nature. "Caledonia was named by our prize draw winner and Cardrona by the Weir Charitable Trust. Without support from kind people like this our wildlife conservation charity wouldn't be able to continue its vital work." Visitors to Highland Wildlife Park can now spot Caledonia, Cardrona, and Bluebell. They can also learn more about the species and the conservation challenges they face. See below for images of the three lynx. More information can be found on the Highland Wildlife Park website. More On Animals Wildlife
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Runaway lynx rescued after illegal release in Highlands named by local kids
Children from a local primary school chose the named of the wild cats. Three lynx rescued after being illegally released in the Scottish Highlands have been named Caledonia, Cardrona and Bluebell by children from a local primary school. The animals were caught in January after the alarm was raised and were found with signs of starvation while roaming the Cairngorms. A fourth lynx sadly died following capture. They are currently under the care of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) at Highland Wildlife Park after initially being taken in by Edinburgh Zoo for a period of quarantine. Judith Bowman, carnivore team leader, said, "It has been wonderful to care for the three girls here at the park over the past month. "We are already seeing their playful and curious personalities flourish. "Thank you to Kinlochleven Primary P3-4, who chose Bluebell's name, and submitted an amazing competition entry on their commitment to protecting nature. "Caledonia was named by our prize draw winner and Cardrona by the Weir Charitable Trust. "Without support from kind people like this our wildlife conservation charity wouldn't be able to continue its vital work." The cats were confirmed in January as being Eurasian lynx – the largest of four species of the animals. Zoo chiefs revealed in February the trio are all female, and are believed to be less than a year old. The lynx have been given temporary names 'A', 'B' and 'C'. The lynx that died in captivity was a male estimated to be the same age as the females. In February, RZSS chief executive David Field said: 'Illegally releasing these cats into the wild was highly irresponsible and it is likely they would have died had they not been rescued." Lynx were driven to extinction on British shores hundreds of years ago despite still present throughout much of Europe and Asia. RZSS officials said the animals were showing signs of starvation when they were found. Campaigns to reintroduce the apex predators to areas of the UK, such as in the Scottish highlands, have met opposition from some sheep farmers who fear for the safety of their own animals. Scotland's National Lynx Discussion found that sheep and other livestock, especially those near wooded areas, are more vulnerable to such predation. Experts say en effective management system could include paying farmers for losses and co-existence, with relocation or lethal control as "necessary components" of any framework to manage the issue. The report also revealed that lynx could have a "significant" impact on game birds in places where the species come into contact, though they are unlikely to play a major part in the animals ' diet at a national level. But it was also found there is 'sufficient' space in the country to support the introduction of the animals into the eco-system. Steve Micklewright, chief executive of Trees for Life and a member of the stakeholder group, said: "We met 12 times for over 50 hours in total. Deep and extensive discussions allowed us to learn lessons from lynx reintroductions in Europe, assess possible impacts if lynx are returned to Scotland, and recommend key actions to avoid or manage potential problems. "While not everyone who took part supports the return of lynx, we now have a clear understanding of what needs to be put in place if a reintroduction is to happen.
RNZ News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Soho Basin at Cardrona not ready yet due to lack of snow
Part of the Cardrona Alpine Resort near Wanaka which was due to open on Saturday. Photo: RNZ/Katie Todd A major expansion at Cardrona Alpine Resort will not open as hoped on Saturday as the wait continues for more snow. The Soho Basin boosts Cardrona's total footprint by a quarter with a new high speed lift, making it the biggest ski area in the country. The new terrain was meant to be officially opened on Saturday - the first day of the school holidays, but the ceremony has been postponed until Sunday due to a weather front. The ceremony would involve a lift blessing, formal welcome from Kāi Tahu, speeches, ribbon cutting and kapa haka performance before live music at Cardrona's base. Cardrona Alpine Resort said skiers and snowboarders unfortunately would not be able to test the slopes after the ceremony as they needed to wait a bit longer for Mother Nature to do her thing. Cardrona's main slopes opened earlier this month. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
