Wild time for young animal lovers at ZooVentures

Scooter, at ZooVentures.

Today I'm crashing a party for a 12-year-old. It's an "Exotic Animal Party" and I've come along to ZooVentures in Whangaparāoa to check it out. Arriving mid-party, I'm expecting the usual ruckus. However, it's suspiciously quiet. I soon realise I'm in the right place as I see a group of children sitting cross-legged on cushions holding out worms for an enormous lizard, which trots along happily gobbling up these rather revolting snacks. The kids are riveted and admittedly it's hard not to be.

Akira and Haruka at ZooVentures.

Tearing myself away from the worm vs. lizard spectacle, I go in search of more animals. Housed in a small commercial building, ZooVentures is like a cross between a pet store and a small zoo. A couple of large pens contain what looks like animated hairpieces. These are guinea pigs, according to the sign, though not like any I've seen before. Next door are some seriously cute dwarf rabbits; and then some very furry creatures that look like a cross between a squirrel and a mouse. These are chinchillas, South American rodents prized for their fur.

Frog star, at ZooVentures.

Hastily bypassing the rats, I find a row of aquariums containing sea stars, colourful fish, frogs, and dozens of fire-bellied newts. The newts resemble small water lizards, jet black above and fiery red below. I correctly identify the stick insects munching on rose leaves and give a parrot a little scratch before being mesmerised by tortoises working away steadily at a whole piece of corn, their earnest faces plastered with evidence of the feast. There are rows of glass-fronted cases containing an assortment of lizards, rejoicing in names such as Mr Schofield, Stefan and Bubblegum.

A small outdoor area reveals some bizarre looking snake-necked turtles that stare at me intently, their beady little eyes daring me to ignore the "fingers out" sign.
The adults are sitting at the party table drinking coffee, where they are periodically "shushed" by the children. "You'll scare the animals" they are chastised, the party guests having fully embraced the house rules.

Feeding Dragons at ZooVentures.

Returning to the activity area, the children now have guinea pigs on their laps and are busy brushing their long fur, one of which now sports a very convincing "Trump" style, much to everyone's amusement.

Next, the children create habitats for mice and leopard geckos, carefully following instructions to include food, water, shelter, and plenty of activities to prevent boredom - the biggest challenge for pets and zoo animals according to the party host. The children are completely absorbed as they create suitably enriched habitats for the animals.

It seems to me that working with children and animals is both a no-fail combination and potentially a somewhat unpredictable mix. Putting this old cliche to ZooVentures owner Sally Hibbard, she responds by saying that it's all about how it's managed.

"Some people think we just open all the cages and let everyone go for it," she laughs. "The interactions are all carefully managed so that the children are highly engaged and the animals are safe and calm. It's an educational experience, not an old fashioned petting zoo, though the fun factor is pretty huge".

Children hold Gerald and Tortellini, at ZooVentures.

I have to agree, and I'm seriously considering a 40th birthday party surrounded by these gorgeous creatures. Apparently, parties are just a small part of ZooVentures, with most of Hibbard's work involving in-school workshops where she brings to life those parts of the curriculum concerned with animals and the environment.

Hibbard is a graduate of zoology and environmental sciences and says she is fortunate to be able to work in an area she is passionate about.

"It's so important for young people to have positive experiences around animals and to show kindness and respect towards them," she says.

The party concludes with two adorable little pomeranian pups showing off some clever tricks and the very happy party-goers all asking Hibbard if they can have a job.

THE LOWDOWN:
zooventures.co.nz
info@petparty.co.nz
Ph: 027 224 5987