How a Manawatū ag contractor is helping feed endangered species

Farmers and strawberry growers are the usual customers for a Manawatū agricultural contractor - however, they are now supplying feed for some of the world's most endangered species.

Making hay and baleage is the bread and butter of Bruce Gordon Contracting.

The company sends hay and baleage to farmers across the North Island, especially those in the Taranaki region and southern Hawke's Bay.

So staff were surprised to get a call from Auckland Zoo, almost 500 kilometres away.

The zoo was after a new supplier of hay and lucerne to feed its Asian elephants, zebras, rhinos, giraffes and nyalas.

A young giraffe calf runs past hay at Auckland Zoo.
A young giraffe calf runs past hay at Auckland Zoo. Photo credit: Supplied

"Typically we field calls from farmers or strawberry growers, so getting one from Auckland Zoo was very exciting," said Mike Hancok, joint operations manager for the company.

On a bi-monthly basis, required quantities of feed sourced from Manawatū and Canterbury farms are now delivered to the zoo.

Baleage is sold to farms across the North Island.
Baleage is sold to farms across the North Island. Photo credit: Supplied

"We supply them with all their hay and lucerne for their elephants and ungulate species," he said.

"They chew through quite a bit, but they are great to deal with."

Newshub.