Cedric
The iconic dragon sculpture at Auckland Zoo was created by Cedric Storey, an artist and sculptor who was a member of the Auckland Zoo grounds team in the 1950s. The dragon was created to cover an old kauri tree stump. For decades, children have befriended the dragon, scrambled over him and posed for photos in his wide open mouth. Over the years, the dragon has changed colours several times and had an extreme makeover for his 50th birthday in 2009.
Eastern Water Dragon
Native to Australasia, the eastern water dragon is a lizard which can grow up to 90 centimetres in length. They have a black cheek stripe and a spiny crest. The males have a vivid red chest. The water dragon likes to bask on rocks and riverbanks, but dives underwater when disturbed, where it can remain submerged for up to one hour.
Freshwater Dragonfish
Sometimes called the freshwater dragonfish, the Asian arowana is a carnivorous fish with an impressive jumping ability. It has large, iridescent leaf-like scales, two barbels (sensory organs) protruding from the front of its face and pectoral fins which look a little like dragon wings.
Ranger Dragonfly
The ranger dragonfly is an amazing aeronaut, endemic to New Zealand. It has incredible hunting abilities with a success rate for catching prey around 95%. The high speed at which they process visual information enables them to accurately predict where their prey is heading. Controlling all four wings independently, they constantly adjust their position to intercept their target.
Lace Monitor
A relative of the Komodo dragon, the lace monitor is mildly venomous. They can grow up to two metres long, making them among the largest lizards in the world. They have excellent hearing and vision and a great sense of taste and smell.
Inland Bearded Dragon
The inland bearded dragon, from central and eastern Australia, has spiny scales around its lower jaw, giving it the appearance of a beard. They come in a variety of colours (brown, yellow, orange) and often match the soil in their habitat. Auckland Zoo has an inland bearded dragon named Steve.
Dragon’s Gold
Commonly called Dragon’s Gold, the sophora kÅwhai is a compact hardy native New Zealand shrub with golden-yellow flowers and dense foliage.
You can read more about the dragons at Auckland Zoo by visiting their website. https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/animals
If you're interested in learning more about some of the birds mentioned in the story, check out the NZ Birds online site.
https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/searchName?q=whio
https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/kaka
https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/north-island-saddleback
https://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/european-greenfinch