Marineland, Napier

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Marineland of New Zealand
Marineland's Logo
Entrance on Marine Parade in Napier, New Zealand
Date opened	29 January 1965
Location	Marine Parade, Napier, New Zealand
Number of Animals	20+
Number of Species	7+
Major exhibits	Common Dolphin, Califorian Sea Lions, New Zealand Fur Seals
Website

Marineland of New Zealand is a marine mammal park in Napier, New Zealand. The park opened in 1965. It currently features several species of native marine wildlife, including the common dolphin, the New Zealand fur seal, little blue penguin and gannets. Marineland also has California sea lions, a sulphur crested cockatoo, otters and more.

1 History
2 Animals
3 External links

[edit] History

[edit] 1960s

The main tank at Marineland which was completed in January 1965. It now contains a single common dolphin and is where the shows are performed.

The history of Marineland began in 1964 when an Auckland architectural firm was commissioned to design an aquarium and dolphin pool. In late January 1965 Marineland caught its first common dolphin, Daphne and the facility opened two days later. In 1969 two dolphins died when vandals broke in and fed them nails.

By the end of the 1960's the site had exhibited dusky dolphins, Californian sea lions, leopard seals and New Zealand fur seals.

[edit] 1970s

The year 1970 saw bottlenose dolphins and weddell seals welcomed to the site. In 1976 four small clawed otters arrived from Melbourne Zoo. A year later the current General Manager, Gary Macdonald was appointed.

[edit] 1980s

A new grandstand was built and Marineland saw yellow-eyed penguins and little blue penguins lay eggs for the first time including some successful hatchings.

[edit] Recent history

A New Zealand Lotteries Commission grant was given for a new Marine Education Centre in 1991 and one year later a "Swim With Dolphins" programme began. In 1996 vandals broke in to the site for a second time. Redevelopments of many areas and accommodations for animals at the site took place.

[edit] Animals

Kelly the common dolphin performing a spinning trick during a show

Common Dolphin
- Kelly - She arrived along with Shona (who died on 7 April 2006 due to old age) on 13 December 1974. During her last weigh in she was 108kg and eats 8.0kg daily.
Sea Lions: The Californian sea lions at Marineland are housed in pools totaling over 600,000 litres. They are used in daily shows along with the dolphins. The animals are:
- Rosey - She was born at Marineland in 1984 and is a fully mature breeding female.
- Makea - Born on 15 December 1990 and is a fully trained show animal.
- Cody - Makea's younger sister, born on 17 December 1991), Trinity (born at M. Napier on 17 December 1997. He was successfully hand raised by the staff after being rejected by his mother.
- Orion - Born at M.Napier on 22 December 1997 and will be trained to be a show animal.
- Dakota - Youngest female sea lion who was born on 12 December 2004. She is now weaned, and in training for our daily shows.
  
  A male Californian sea lion during a performance
- Rufus - The newest addition to Marineland's sea lion family. He was born on 22 December 2004. He has also been weaned and has begun his show training.
New Zealand Fur Seals: The NZ Fur seals at Marineland are either animals that have been brought in sick or injuried, or have been bred from animals brought to the park sick and injured. Some of the young NZ Fur seals are used in the shows as well as the California sea lions. The fur seals are:
- Angel - Brought into Marineland on 12 June 1991. He is now retired from the shows, but participates in the Marine Animal Encounter Tours.
- Primrose - She was born at Marineland on 28 December 1992. She is retired from shows and is a mature breeding female.
- Bart - He was born at Marineland on 7 January 1997. He is in training as a show animal.
- Monty - She was sent to Marineland on 9 August 1999 for recovery. She is now used in shows.
- Molly - She was brought to Marineland on 20 June 2000. She is now used in shows.
- Mr. Bo Jangles - Is the son of Primrose and Angel. He was born on 26 December 2003. He made his show debut on Marineland's 40th Anniversary and is continuing his training.
- Pania - The newest addition. She was born 16 December 2007 to Primrose. Her was sired by Angel.

Little Blue Penguin: There is a breeding colony of little blue penguins established from sick and injured birds.

Australasian Gannet: Marineland's gannet colony has been built up from sick and injured animals.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo: Called "Bobby". Bobby came to Marineland when the park first did the pirate shows in 1988 and still occasionally takes part in the shows.