Tree topples into giraffe enclosure at Auckland Zoo

The storm has toppled two large gums at Auckland Zoo. Photo /Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo has been hammered by the recent storm, with a large gum tree toppling down into the Pridelands enclosure that is home to giraffes, zebras and ostriches.

Acting director Kevin Buley said in his past eight years at the zoo he had never seen anything like the recent damage from a single weather event.

"Coming in and seeing the damage is one thing but knowing all the animals are fine and no one was injured is the most important thing," he said.

Buley said it was standard procedure for staff to check the weather forecast daily and to secure the animals if there was an indication of an impending severe weather event.

All potentially dangerous animals had been confined before the rough weather hit, he said.

"What we weren't prepared for was the extent of the storm and the extent of damage it caused."

Two large gums had fallen in the storm, one across a service road and the other into the Pridelands enclosure.

The giraffes remained confined, without access to the wider paddock, because of the damage to the perimeter of the Pridelands enclosure.

Buley said it would take weeks to fix.

A roaming hen shelters her chicks at Auckland Zoo. Photo / Auckland Zoo

The animals had not been distressed by the weather because unlike fireworks or loud music a storm was a natural phenomenon, he said.

Most of the zoo was closed yesterday and today, with the exception of areas like the Bug Lab and cafe.

"People who might not have power and are going up the walls at home can come in and experience the wonders of the Bug Lab and could grab a coffee at the cafe," Buley said.

Hopefully, the wider zoo would be open tomorrow but the public would not be able to use the walkway blocked by the gum tree, he said.

His staff had been "absolutely fantastic" dealing with the clean up and they were grateful for the understanding of the public, he said.