Latest fromAuckland Zoo Tales

Auckland Zoo’s ectotherms team care for over 50 species of reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and fish. It’s hard to pick favourites, but we asked ectotherms team leader Don McFarlane for his top five.

Our geckos are incredibly diverse and have some pretty cool adaptations for life in Aotearoa! In today’s episode of Zoo Tales, Ecotherm keeper Emily tells us what’s so great about New Zealand’s gecko species!

They’re slimy and scary to some, but to Ectotherm keeper Georgia, eels are quirky and curious. In today’s Zoo Tales, learn all about New Zealand longfin eels and the incredible journey they take when it’s time to breed!

Due to their distinctive call, ruru, New Zealand’s nocturnal owl, are more often heard than seen! In this week’s Zoo Tales, meet Rhu, one of the ruru (morepork) that call Auckland Zoo home.

After fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a zookeeper at Auckland Zoo, team leader of Primates Amy talks about how a life-changing trip to the Sumatran jungle ignited her passion for helping orangutans in the wild.

It’s a well-known fact that cats LOVE to sleep – and our big cats are no different. In today’s Zoo Tales, find out how our Carnivore keepers find ways to keep our pride of female lions mentally and physically active!

Slow-growing, spiny-backed and truly unique - take a tour with Ectotherm keeper Julie and meet Toa, Tipua, Taki and Flame, just a few of the incredible tuatara that live at Auckland Zoo.

For years, Auckland Zoo has been working with DOC to help the critically endangered endemic Archey’s frog, the world's most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered amphibian. Auckland Zoo holds the only captive population of Archey’s frog in the world, has had great success in breeding, rearing and releasing the species. In this week’s Zoo Tales join Ectotherms and Birds curator Richard Gibson who takes us through the journey from collection to release of some Archey’s frogs into Pukeokahu Forest.

Pridelands Keeper Jessie Hill gives an update on Auckland Zoo's giraffe calf Kabili.

Vocal and destructive are just two of the words that team leader of Birds, Emma uses to describe our red-tailed black cockatoos! In today’s episode of Zoo Tales, find out all about these stunning new additions to our Australian aviary.

Say g'day to Bruce, Alf and Ned - our male lace monitors and learn all about these large, beautiful reptiles from ectotherms keeper Seth.

Although we love swimming mostly in summer, capybara love the water no matter the season. Primate team leader Amy Robbins tells us why water is so important to the world’s largest rodent.

It’s summer and to help their baboons cool down in the heat, Auckland Zoo gives them a giant ice block! Primate keepers Dave Robbins takes us in to the enclosure to set up the ice block and tells us a bit about these particular primates.

For only the second time in its history, Auckland Zoo has welcomed a flamingo chick into the world.

Squirrel monkeys are Primate keeper Samantha Robertson favourite species to look after at the Zoo. Watch as she prepares the perfect summertime morning tea treat for our curious and cute squirrel monkeys!

In a rare occurrence, twin giraffes were born at Auckland Zoo, though sadly one calf had to be put down. According to Auckland Zoo, only about 30 cases of giraffe twins have been reported worldwide. Here is 7-year-old giraffe mum Kiraka with her new female calf.

New Zealand native bird, the Kaka, is one of bird keeper Sarah Anderson’s favourites – especially cheeky Ned. Join Sarah in the Forest aviary for an early more cashew with a Kaka. 5 January

Our colourful rainbow lorikeets have moved into their walkthrough aviary in the new Strangely Beautiful Australia - watch as zookeeper Deja Rivera introduces us to these noisy and inquisitive birds!

Kea are the world's only alpine parrot, one of the most intelligent birds and unique to Aotearoa. Find out more about these creative and noisy parrots.