Natureland staff are "counting sleeps" ahead of a decision due this week on the future of the small, ageing Tahunanui zoo. Curator Gail Sutton said public support for Natureland had not waned throughout winter, after the shock announcement in March that the Nelson City Council planned to close the financially troubled zoo.

The council was to have made a decision at a meeting planned for last Friday, but recent changes to its meeting schedule mean a further wait, until after this Thursday's full council meeting.

Cr Ali Boswijk hinted at a positive outcome, linked to a partnership deal that the council set aside funding for in its recent annual plan process.

Funding for Natureland has just been increased by $90,000 to a $200,000 operating grant from the council, which also agreed to provide a $180,000 loan for capital works at the zoo. The money will be drawn on only if the council goes ahead with a project to redevelop the site with a private operator.

Christchurch-based Orana Wildlife Trust is understood to have its eye on Natureland. Chief executive Lynn Anderson has kept quiet on whether the trust has put in a proposal, but said earlier it believed that Natureland was "a very good place with a bright future".

Mrs Sutton said Natureland's staff had been "awesome" and had remained completely dedicated to their jobs. "Not once has anyone complained. They have taken the view, `Let's make the animals' lives the best we can'." Up to 10 staff faced losing their jobs and 600 animals were to be relocated with the zoo's planned closure, on advice earlier this year from the Abel Tasman Gateway Trust, that it was struggling financially and could not continue to run the zoo.

When it announced that it planned to close Natureland, the council, which owns the Tahunanui site, asked for proposals on how it could be used. Cr Boswijk said earlier that of the four ideas received, only one was considered complete enough to warrant further investigation. Cr Boswijk said the council had been working through the process of making a decision, which included input from the Department of Conservation. If an agreement was reached, Natureland would not be "overwhelmingly different", but there would be a "very obvious change for the better". The council plans to discuss the matter confidentially at Thursday's meeting, and make an announcement soon afterwards.

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