South East Asia

Construction of our South East Asia Jungle Track, which extends across an expansive one-fifth of our Zoo visitor area, began in late 2017, it was delayed slightly by Covid, but and the final part opened on 22 October 2022!

There is the high canopy habitat for primates - orangutans and siamangs, and the lowlands habitat for Sumatran tigers and Asian small-clawed otters. 

Opened on 22 October 2022 the Track’s final habitat – the stunning swamp forest created within a large transparent temperature-controlled tropical dome is home to Sunda gharial crocodiles and a rich diversity of South East Asian fish species – the first of its kind in Aotearoa!

Connecting it all up, the boardwalk extends across the Zoo’s lake from the high canopy habitat, over to the new swamp forest habitat and then on to the lowlands habitat.

Yes! We are excited to share that in addition to orangutans, siamangs, tigers, and otters, our new South East Asia area is home to the stunning Asian crocodile species, the Sunda gharial, a rich diversity of fish species including Asian arowana and Indonesian tiger perch.

Yes. As part of zoos’ international breeding programme for these Critically Endangered big cats, we welcomed two new Sumatran tigers in November 2022, they have a home in our expansive new tiger habitat.

Yes. Our café and function venue, Te Puna, is now open. Over 1000 m2, and elevated, it looks out over the Zoo’s lake. From its wide wrap-around deck, you can look out and see our new swamp forest tropical habitat, and watch the incredibly agile orangutans and siamangs as they range across their extensive network of aerial pathways (up to 25m high!) that extend from their habitat and out over the lake. 

As well as new toilet facilities in this new café, there are also additional toilet facilities adjoining the new South East Asia area.