Vice-President of SIZS David Laughlin said: "The Society set out to develop an open range, drive-through, zoo. Starting with almost unusable land, a dry, stony riverbed, volunteers cleared the site, initially with just hand tools.
"It was backbreaking work. As fundraising results increased, second-hand equipment was purchased resulting in significant progress."
The first visitor to Orana Park in 1976. Photo / Supplied
On September 10 1976, Orana's first animals arrived from Australia.
The 'Noah's Ark' consisted of 18 lions (including six cubs), two tiger cubs, two donkeys, two camels, two water buffalo and two Shetland ponies.
The society took on the role as a supporting organisation and contributed to capital projects over the years with a mix of financial and volunteer labour support.
"Our crowning glory is perhaps the walk-through native bird aviary built 26 years ago.
"Over the years, the aviary, currently closed for a well-earned upgrade, has become a key conservation habitat for the Park's whio/blue duck pair, a species orana breeds for release to the wild."
From very humble beginnings, it is immensely satisfying to see what orana has become today, Laughlin said.
