25 Jun 2010

Talks on quarantine of elephants for Auckland zoo on Niue

12:04 pm on 25 June 2010

Elephants from Auckland zoo could be quarantined in Niue later this year.

Exploratory talks are being held with the zoo about establishing an offshore quarantine station on land near the airport on the island.

Minister of Agriculture Pokotoa Sipeli says he's due to meet Auckland zoo officials for a second time about the possibility of quarantining three elephants.

Auckland zoo says it is still working through its options about where elephants suitable for transfer to New Zealand may be available and what the quarantine requirements would be.