The Frankton Zoological Gardens are open to the public again and its owner is back at work, after six months recovering from stroke.
Ivan Young (85) suffered a series of strokes last June, which forced the closure of the small petting zoo on the banks of the Kawarau River.
During his time in hospital in Invercargill, all he could think about was getting home to the zoo.
His daughters Rachel and Penny, with the help of community workers from the Department of Corrections, got the gardens ready for opening as a surprise for Mr Young when he was discharged from hospital.
He is now back at the helm, showing visitors around the gardens.
Mr Young originally lived in Christchurch and Dunedin where he worked in nurseries.
He moved to Queenstown in 1962 to work for the Queenstown Borough Council as head of parks and reserves.
In 1965 he opened the gardens, then called Pets Haven.
It later became the Frankton Zoological Gardens when Mr Young obtained a zoo licence.
He set about planting trees and creating a haven for animals.
"When I came here in 1965 there was nothing here. It took a lot of hard work . . . to make it what it is today," he said.
Mr Young retired from the council in 1979 and has worked seven days a week since at the gardens.
It is open between 10am and 4.30pm every day.
Unwanted or injured animals were often left at the gardens and the family was only too happy to help, Mr Young's daughter Rachel said.
Any income earned from visitors was put straight back into the upkeep of the gardens and animals.
Animals include Abyssinian cats, rabbits, ponies and two kunekune pigs.
Birds include ring-necked parakeets, Dutch lovebirds, peacocks, pheasants, cockatiels, doves, chickens and ducks.
The zoo also has an extensive vegetable garden, goldfish pond, picnic and play area.
Visitors can feed trout, ducks and a huge eel, from a deck overlooking the river.
