Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand's only open-range zoo, sitting on 80 hectares of land, located on the outskirts of Christchurch.

[2][better source needed] It opened in 1976, and is owned and operated by the Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charity.

[citation needed] The aims of the Trust are to provide quality recreational opportunities for local people and visitors to Christchurch; conserve endangered native and exotic wildlife; educate visitors (especially children) about environmental and conservation issues; and support research relating to endangered animals.

Fundraising is an essential focus; Orana must separately raise 100% of funds for all capital projects, improvements and animal transfers.

Funds have been donated from a variety of sources, including philanthropic trusts, private donors and bequests.

In 2013 the park suffered a number of setbacks, including an ape escape, snowstorms and wind damage, and was forced to close its doors for 10 days.

[5] Orana is currently home to numerous animals from the following species: The South Island Zoological Society was formed in 1970.

On 10 September 1976, Orana's first animals arrived from Australia, including 18 lions, 2 tiger cubs, 2 camels and 2 water buffalo.

During the first ten years of operation, new animals were regularly added and Stage One of the African Plains, a major expansion, was completed.

Today, Orana operates a "Lion Encounter"[clarification needed] and the experience is an 'historical nod' to the drive-through days.

Oryx were declared extinct in the wild in 1984 but captive breeding programmes resulted in the species being re-established in protected areas.

This meant that visitors could view African savannah species, such as zebra and oryx, across water moats.

The world's fastest land mammal, the cheetah, arrived in 1988 and since that time Orana has been involved in the zoo-based breeding programme for these swift cats.

Due to a Telecom advertising campaign featuring these animals, visitation for the exhibit opening was one of the biggest days on record.

The aviary is home to a wide range of forest birds such as tūī, kererū, kākāriki and bellbird.

Some significant changes took place including new experiences, the creation of a formal education programme and the acquisition of another attraction.

Orana has regularly bred these highly threatened native birds for release to the wild, in various locations in the North Island.

Additionally, four gale-force wind events occurred, the most significant of which happened in September 2013 when a severe gale wreaked havoc across Christchurch.

Despite the setbacks, visitor numbers progressively started to recover to pre-quake levels and staff set about creating significant new additions.

The Park joined the Save the Tasmanian Devil Programme raising awareness on these carnivorous marsupials that are threatened due to a contagious cancer.

On 30 July 2015, the park opened the Great Ape Centre at the time it housed 3 gorillas Fataki, Fuzu and Mahali.

In 5 June Nyala moved into the park two male (Doctor Bloomfield, Ijeffi) and three female (Masaai, Tsavo and Mopane) On 31 December 2021 the Zoo announced that it is planning on building a $1.4M White Rhino Conservation Centre.

[12] A Maud Island Frog Habitat is due to be completed for one of New Zealand's nationally endangered species.

Orana contributes to breed for release recovery programmes for kiwi, blue duck (whio) and brown teal (pateke).