Chance to meet cool natives

Conservation Awareness Week has landed at Hamilton Zoo and runs through until Sunday.

It is a chance to get up close with some cool native insects and reptiles.

Hamilton Zoo staff will introduce visitors to some of the zoo's native insects and reptiles and run a series of talks about how to uncover and protect the species in your backyard.

Viewing times and talks will be 11am and 1.30pm tomorrow and Sunday.

Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley says the talks will be fun and interesting while teaching people how to protect native species in their backyard and so encourage more to come and stay.

"When it comes to conservation, people think about the work undertaken in places like national parks, reserves and zoos. They often don't consider the wildlife that exists in their backyards," he says.

"As well as the birds and insects that you do see around the home, there is potentially a whole range of other creatures living on your property that you don't see - including many native species such as weta, stick insects, skinks and bats.

Our aim for Conservation Awareness Week is to raise awareness of and encourage the conservation of our backyard treasures."

Conservation Awareness Week is a joint project between Hamilton Zoo, Department of Conservation and Project Echo.