Coastal karo plants provide a spot of lunch for giraffes at the Zoo

The Council’s removal of karo plants isn’t just a win for Wellington’s biodiversity, it’s also providing kai to the giraffes at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo.

Image of baby giraffe and mother eating at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo

The karo plant, originally from the Far North and East Cape, thrives along our coastlines, but limits the biodiversity our native costal plants in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

The Council removes dense areas of karo, and donates it to our Friends at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo, who use it as browse for their resident giraffes – Zahara and Zuri, Nia, and Sunny.

“Controlling the spread of karo is a priority of the Council, mana whenua, and costal community groups, and partnering with Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo to use the removed karo as browse for giraffes is a win-win solution," says Tom Mayo, Council Park Ranger for coastal areas.

A birdseye view looking down on Greta Point, showing a water, a seawall and greenery with a patch in the middle. This is where the Karo was removed for the giraffes. — This is the location of where the karo was removed at Greta Point, captured by Local resident Barry Green.

The giraffes' diets primarily consist of fresh browse (small flowering plants), and the karo fits well into their nutritional needs. With giraffes spending up to 20 hours a day feeding, the partnership between the Council and the Zoo is crucial for maintaining a consistent food supply.

"We've been working with the Council to collect browse for a long time. The giraffes need fresh browse, and we rely on WCC and private contractors to supply it," says Nathan Roberts, Ground manager at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo.

A truckload of karo lasts about two days, or six feeds for the giraffes. 18 truckloads were recently collected from Greta Point, with browse also being collected at sites across Haewai/Houghton Bay, Taputeranga Island, and Te Raekaihau/Princess Bay.

Image of karo plant at Greta Point — Karo is removed the area and replaced with native plants that create better habitats for taonga species.

Tom explains that after the karo is removed from the coast, the Council restores the area with native coastal plants.

“We replace the browse with native tipu plants, which create better habitats for taonga species like the Little Blue Penguins (Kororā).”

“It’s a great opportunity to improve our coasts, without anything going to waste.”

A gravel pathway infront of two commemorative chairs that are placed infront of a bank. There is a patch missing in the middle of the greenery which is where Karo and Browse has been removed.

For more information on native coastal tipu planting and to get involved, visit Wellington City Council’s restoration planting guides page.

You can visit the Giraffes at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo. If you’d like to help by donating plants for Zahara and Zuri, Nia, and Sunny, contact the Ground Manager at Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo.