Auckland giraffe sets sail for Sydney
Aucklanders were treated to their last chance to see the city's young male giraffe as he left his family and took to the road today.
Mtundu, Auckland Zoo's 15-month-old giraffe, departed from his enclosure at Auckland Zoo in his purpose-built crate at about 1pm, and headed for Ports of Auckland's Fergusson Wharf.
He will set off from Fergusson Wharf aboard Hamburg Sud's 42,000 tonne container ship, the Hammonia Galicia, bound for his new home at Mogo Zoo in New South Wales.
Mtundu and his keepers are chilling at @AucklandsPort waiting to be loaded on to the ship. #giraffeonthemove pic.twitter.com/SY8P2oe1vP
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
The public were able to catch a glimpse of the 500kg giraffe as he travelled through Great North Road, St Lukes Road, Balmoral Road, Mt Eden Road, Symonds St, Anzac Ave and to Beach Rd in his crate.
Auckland Zoo also took to Twitter and Facebook to update fans live as the giraffe travelled from the zoo to the wharf.
At @AucklandsPort now - having a last look at the tall buildings #giraffeonthemove pic.twitter.com/K8nM4ATblD
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
Studying his surroundings on Symonds Street #giraffeonthemove pic.twitter.com/29HdYjTNAu
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
Turning a few heads in Mt Eden Village #giraffeonthemove pic.twitter.com/hjER2IRW0t
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
Busy on Balmoral road but we're taking it slow #giraffeontheroad pic.twitter.com/31vElCdUBi
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
Mtundu's keeper say goodbye as he leaves @aucklandzoo #giraffeonthemove pic.twitter.com/qedYNPzLY4
— Auckland Zoo (@aucklandzoo) February 21, 2017
The sea voyage on the container ship Hammonia Galicia to Australia will last three or four days and he'll be escorted by zoo staff, the zoo said.
"Mtundu's a very relaxed giraffe with a lovely nature, and that's really helped with his crate training for this trip, which has gone extremely well over the past few months," Zoo's Pridelands team leader Nat Sullivan.
"On board, he'll be positioned in front of the bridge, protected from any adverse weather. Plus both myself and [vet] Melanie [Leech] will have access to him 24/7."
Once he arrives in Sydney, Mtundu will be driven to Mogo Zoo to be integrated with a new family.
His departure leaves Auckland's giraffe herd at four, including his parents and sister.
"We're naturally always sad to farewell our animals, and we'll especially miss Mtundu, who was, dare I say, a favourite," Ms Sullivan said.
The world's population of giraffes has fallen by up to 40 per in the last three decades and zookeepers say Mtundu's move is important to improve the regional breeding programme.
Last year, one-year-old giraffe Zuri made national headlines with an awkward road-trip from Auckland to Wellington, which included a squeeze under an overbridge.