Guided by Doc ranger Colin Facer at the royal albatross
colony on Taiaroa Head yesterday are the one millionth tour
group (from left) Shamsheer (10), Gurveer and Pavan
Benepal. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Following in royal footsteps, the Benepal family, of
Timaru, became the first members of the public to see a royal
albatross close up since Prince Charles, when he visited
Taiaroa Head six years ago.
Gurveer, Pavan and Shamsheer (10), who are on a holiday
weekend trip around Otago, were delighted to be the one
millionth group to take a tour at the Royal Albatross Centre
yesterday.
To celebrate the occasion, the centre organised a rare
opportunity to go inside the colony to see albatrosses from a
few metres distance. Usually, those taking tours viewed the
birds from inside an observatory.
"We are very privileged. We feel royal," Mr Benepal said.
Department of Conservation ranger Colin Facer took the family
close to the birds and explained their life cycle.
For Shamsheer, who attends school in India and is president
of her school's ecological club, the visit was very special.
Mrs Benepal said it was very exciting to see the birds so
close up and in their breeding area.
Centre manager Mark Jurisich said more than three million
people had visited the centre since it opened in 1972. One
million had taken a tour to the observatory.
The 500,000th visitor went on a tour in January 2000 but it
had only taken 11 years to reach the one million mark, Mr
Jurisich said.
- rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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