Latest news with #Hughey
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
'Turned the corner': Orana Park working to restore reputation
By Adam Burns of RNZ A Christchurch zoo found to have substandard animal welfare procedures has work to do to restore its damaged reputation, leaders say. After a six-month pause, Orana Wildlife Park will resume taking new animals, following a review prompted by whistleblowers' animal welfare concerns and allegations of a toxic culture. The Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA) commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations of poor animal welfare aired on 1News, while the Orana Wildlife Trust Board asked agency Culture by Design to assess the park's workplace culture. The final report released in December suggested improvements to animal welfare processes, organisational systems, health and safety, asset management and workplace culture. Earlier this week, park management confirmed it had met all the ZAA requirements and the pause on incoming animal transfers had been lifted. On Friday, Orana Wildlife Trust Board co-chairperson Emeritus Professor Ken Hughey admitted people's confidence in the park had taken a hit. "There's no doubt that the controversies that arose have created uncertainty and angst amongst the community," he said. "We believe we've turned the corner visually and in the way that we approach visitors, and in the things that they can see around the park. "We're really confident that we have turned that corner." Visitor numbers dropped last year, but the park was confident they would return. Hughey said the park and its procedures were dramatically different to a year ago. "We're doing all the work necessary to keep our staff and our animals in a happy place, which is where we should be." Orana leaders said they were implementing a five-year plan called 'Future Focused', aimed at "strengthening animal welfare practices, enhancing our organisational culture and ensuring long-term sustainability". The wildlife attraction's books have also faced strain, prompting a request of up to $1.5 million in annual public funding. Last November, former chief executive Lynn Anderson resigned after 28 years leading the zoo. Successor Rachel Haydon was appointed in February. "We asked our new CE to do some pretty significant thinking about how we manage our budgets going forward," Hughey said. "We have reserves and we are dipping into our reserves to manage our way forward." Haydon said she felt "communication" and "trust-building" were some of the positive changes she had tried to introduce during the first few months of her tenure.
1News
4 days ago
- General
- 1News
Orana Wildlife Park maintains animal welfare accreditation
Christchurch's embattled Orana Wildlife Park has today confirmed it has maintained its animal welfare accreditation after meeting all requirements set by the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia. A temporary pause on incoming animal transfers from other zoos was put in place in December following a major investigation into its animal welfare procedures and culture. The pause was lifted today following a scheduled six-month review by the association. Issues at the zoo were first raised by a 1News investigation into the park involving 20 current and former Orana staff raised concerns about the way staff – and animals – were treated. The whistleblowers leaked photos and videos that exposed several previously unreported incidents at the park, including a baby giraffe that was found dead shortly after its birth in 2021. Some also claimed managers had ignored animal welfare concerns when they raised them. ADVERTISEMENT Significant change is coming to the Christchurch zoo, following an independent investigation by the Zoo and Aquarium Association. (Source: 1News) An independent investigation was launched by the Zoo and Aquarium Association soon afterwards. In its final report, delivered last December, the association highlighted findings and required actions across several areas including animal welfare processes, organisational systems, health and safety, asset management, and workplace culture. The management of the zoo has transformed since the initial investigation was published in July, following the resignation of the park's longtime CEO Lynn Anderson after 28 years at the helm. It was followed by the departure of the manager of exotic species in March this year. Orana today said the Zoo and Aquarium Association had confirmed all required improvements relating to systems, policies and processes had been met. It meant the zoo could now resume full participation in species programmes and incoming animal transfers. Orana Wildlife Trust board co-chair, Emeritus Professor Ken Hughey, said the outcome reflected the organisation's commitment to positive and lasting change. 'This is a significant step forward. Our team has worked tirelessly to strengthen governance, systems, and processes. The Zoo and Aquarium Association review has been a catalyst for transformation, and we're proud of the progress made,' Hughey said. 'We also acknowledge and appreciate the collaborative and constructive approach taken by Zoo and Aquarium Association throughout this process. Together, we've achieved a result that strengthens outcomes for animals, staff, and our wider community.' ADVERTISEMENT Hughey also thanked 'the people of Canterbury and beyond for standing by us'. The zoo was now implementing Future Focused, a five-year initiative in the hope of 'strengthening animal welfare practices, enhancing our organisational culture, and ensuring long-term sustainability', he said. 'This includes the establishment of a new Animal Welfare Advisory Group to provide independent guidance and ensure ongoing best practice in animal care.'
