14 February 2007

Kiwi girl joins the boys released into Pukaha forest

The first juvenile female kiwi to be released into the Pukaha forest, pictured in June 2006

female kiwi to be released into the wilderness of the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.

The yet-to-be named bird was released into the 942 hectare forest on Monday by pupils of Hadlow School as part of the Pukaha adopt-a-kiwi-programme, in which Wairarapa schools adopt and name kiwi in the forest. She is the fifth juvenile to be released into the forest over the past two years and the third offspring of the pair that was at captivity at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.

The other two were conceived in the forest by kiwi released there from captive breeding programmes. Those chicks were also hatched in captivity and released into forest when they were ready to fend for themselves. Another two wild bred juvenile are awaiting release after being hatched at the centre.

Sixteen adult kiwi and five juveniles have been released into the forest over the past four and half years. The parents of the juvenile released this week - Rangi and Tua - were themselves released in October last year, after having spent their lives until then in captivity. While Tua unfortunately lost his life after falling into a stream shortly afterwards, his genetic heritage lives on, Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Tony Silbery said.

“Rangi is still close and has adapted well to life in the wild and now their chick has followed her into the forest.”

Thirteen of the birds now residing in the forest, including all the juveniles, have been fitted with transmitters to enable DOC staff to monitor their movements and track adult males to nests.

The successful reintroduction of kiwi, kaka, and kokako into the forest has been made possible through the Pukaha restoration project, a co-operative venture between DOC the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane O Wairarapa, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council.
The restoration project, which began in May 2002, is supported by the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust, the Masterton and Tararua District councils, local Masterton media and a significant number of sponsors. A major community fundraising campaign, the Community challenge - launched in July 2004 by Masterton mayor Bob Francis, raised more than $550,000 towards the project.

Mr Silbery said it was exciting to see the results of efforts to restore threatened wildlife to this last remaining stand of a once vast primeval forest.

“We’ve got flocks of kaka flying overhead, kokako continuing to increase, and kiwi breeding in close proximity to the visitor centre.

“It shows just what can be achieved by communities with a commitment to restoring their natural heritage
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18 January 2007

Pukaha Bruce to the rescue

The official "extinct" status for the South Island native bird, the Kokako this week, has spurred on staff at Pukaha Mountt Bruce national wildlife reserve in northern Wairarapa to ensure the conservation of its North Island counterpart.

They presented restrained confidence yesterday that they can save the North Island kokako.

"We are right up there and definitely winning I'm thrilled to say," said biodiversity ranger, Tony Silbury.

The South Island habitat does not suit the northern bird.

Pukaha Mount Bruce wants to get around 25 breeding pairs to create a "safe, robust population".

At present there are three pair in the captive breeding programme and another six pair living free in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.

Ambitious long-term aims are to have 1000 breeding pair in the forest by 2020.

Mr Silbury said the news of the permanent demise of the South Island bird only reinforces their work to save the North Island kokako from the same fate.

"We've still got a way to go but each year we breathe a bit easier as kokako breeding pairs produce chicks, which successfully leave the nests and settle in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest," said.

The first pair released into the Mount Bruce bush was in July 2003 – around 40 years since the North Island kokako was last seen free at Mount Bruce by pioneer conservator, Elwyn Welch.

"Kokako are really quite a brutal bird when it comes to parenting. There's 18 days in the egg, 30 days in the nest and then the parents literally boot out their offspring out to fend for themselves.

"If they breed early enough in the season, we can get two hatchings," said Mr Silbury.

This resilience is what the rangers are relying on to save the North Island kokako, but he said they can't do it on their own.

Ridding the area of predators has become paramount to the bird's survival.

Mr Silbury has been working for the Department of Conservation in Wairarapa for 10 years but in the last four years has concentrated on pest control at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

This labour intensive operation has five people per week out feeding poison bait lines aimed at possum, rats and stoats.

There's 110kms of trails through the busy with a bait station every 100m.

Mr Silbury said the kokako is promised a life of around 20 years if not at risk from predators.

Story by MARLENE DITCHFIELD Wairarapa Times-Age

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17 October 2006

Pukaha Mount Bruce – Centre of Learning

A project to investigate the future of Pukaha Mount Bruce as a “Centre of Learning” is underway. The New Zealand Tourism Research Institute (NZTRI) is assessing the feasibility of a Centre of Learning in Te Ao Turoa (the knowledge and beliefs of Maori in their natural world) and conservation at the National Wildlife Centre.

The nine-month project is on schedule to be completed in February/March 2007. If implemented, a Centre of Learning will see a greater development of education and research in conservation and Te Ao Turoa, building on existing conservation, research and education programmes.

The initial stages of the project involve benchmarking Pukaha Mount Bruce against other organisations and identifying potential partnerships. The final phase is a feasibility assessment including a market and risk analysis, and the identification of social, economic and environmental benefits associated with a Centre of Learning. The project will also determine existing and future capability needed within Pukaha Mount Bruce to develop and manage a Centre of Learning.

New Zealand Tourism Research Institute Director Simon Milne is thrilled that NZTRI were selected to deliver the project’s goals.

“This is a great opportunity to assess the potential benefits of Pukaha Mount Bruce attracting people to the region through creating a unique conservation and education facility. Part of the project involves assessing what works well overseas so that a 'Centre for Learning' can integrate conservation with tourism, and link Pukaha Mount Bruce more closely with the local area for economic development.”

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provided $100,000 for the project following an application by the Tararua District Council’s Economic Development Unit in December 2005 for regional economic development combined with environmental education at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

Involving the local community is a key objective and partnerships with New Zealand and international educational and research institutions will be investigated.

Guidance to the project team will be provided by the Pukaha Mount Bruce Board, formed in January 2006 as a formal partnership between the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane O Wairarapa and the Department of Conservation. The Board’s role is to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of Pukaha Mount Bruce and to develop strategies for achieving the Centre’s vision.

Horizons Regional Council Board Chair, Garrick Murfitt, Tararua District Councillor, Warren Davidson and Lisa Sims of Kitching Sims Communications are external representatives on the board, which is chaired by Masterton Mayor Bob Francis.

Bob Francis said the Board has just appointed its first Secretary/Treasurer.

“Bob Macfarlane, a former manager in central government, brings extensive managerial, secretariat and organisational skills to the position. He will assist the Board with planning and research and strengthen the Board’s liaison with the community and sponsors,” said Mr Francis.

Pukaha Mount Bruce is the Department of Conservation’s National Wildlife Centre for breeding threatened species and is home to some of New Zealand’s most critically endangered species such as hihi, shore plover and Campbell Island teal.

A forest restoration project underway since 2001 has seen rare kokako and kiwi returned to the forest, and breed successfully

Thirty minutes north of Masterton and ten minutes south of Eketahuna, Pukaha Mount Bruce attracts around 35,000 New Zealand and international visitors each year, and close to 3000 school students who take part in the Learning Experiences outside the Classroom (LEOTC) programme.

Pukaha - the Maori name for the area - meaning ‘strong winds’ is one of the last remnants of the 70-mile bush (Te Tapere Nui o Whatonga), which once stretched from Masterton to Norsewood

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30 August 2006

The call of the kokako brought UK education officer to Pukaha Mount Bruce

Chris with Kahurangi, one of our kokako

It was the call of the kokako that had the power to lurethe new Education Officer, Chris Day and his family, previously living in Norfolk, England, to move to New Zealand and work at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

The event that sparked Chriss curiosity about New Zealand and which ultimately led to the decision to move to this country was his attendance at a fundraising event held at the London Wetland Centre in September 2005. As an overseas member of Forest and Bird, Chris was invited to attend the event aimed at raising funds for, and awareness of the kokako. It was here that Chris heard about the plight of the kokako and became fascinated by the unique issues facing native ecosystems and wildlife in New Zealand.

"I have studied and observed birds around the world for most of my life and have never failed to be amazed by their beauty, their grace and their behaviour. There was something about the kokako that obviously struck a chord in me that night. Here was a species on the other side of the world that epitomised mystery and intrigue and I realised that I wanted to join the team of highly motivated people already working to save it from extinction".

That same month, Chris saw Pukaha Mount Bruce advertising for an Education Officer and he decided to apply for it. Possessing a first class honours degree in ecology and having extensive experience as a Regional Development Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Chris was offered the position in September 2005.

Chris arrived in the country on 1 March 2006 and was soon joined by his wife Jo, 2.5 year old Millie and 14 month old Freddie. This was the first time the family had ever set foot on New Zealand soil. Chris describes what it was like arriving in New Zealand for the first time – knowing that it was going to be home – possibly for the rest of his and his childrens lifetimes.

"I had spent over a year intensively studying New Zealand wildlife in books prior to my trip, but it was still strange to eventually see in real life what had become merely images on paper for so long. The wildlife in New Zealand is so different and that what makes it so special. Yes - there are introduced birds that do remind me of home, but the opportunity to work with birds not found anywhere else on earth makes it a truly wonderful experience- an experience that has made many friends back in England rather envious".

Since his arrival, Chris is still pinching himself on a daily basis to make sure that its not all a dream.

"Every day I get close to some of New Zealands most endangered birds; walk through some of New Zealands primal rainforest and talk to students about the subject I am most passionate about. The wildlife here is just fascinating – the eels that live to 70-odd years and return to Tonga to breed; the kiwi, kokako, hihi, tuatara – all living examples of what happens when a country is isolated from the rest of the world for around 80 million years".

The most rewarding part of the job is working with the children and watching their eyes light up as they watch and learn about the native wildlife. After all, they will inherit this world from us and it is our duty to ensure that they are encouraged at every opportunity to appreciate, understand and protect what remains of New Zealands fauna and flora.

Chris also sees similarities between New Zealand and other parts of the world and says his experience in the UK has been invaluable in putting New Zealands environmental issues in context.

While the species over here are obviously unique, there are similar issues here in New Zealand as in the rest of the world. It really comes down to people and our motivation and ability to make positive changes. The real conservation issues in this century will be to tackle the seemingly insurmountable problems associated with climate change and sustainability. The consequences of our lifestyles are predicted to leave a staggering number of species vulnerable to extinction irrespective of past, present and future conservation efforts. Consequently, each and every one of us has a role to play in reducing this impact and protecting the environment. After all, we are only stewards - looking after the environment until the children are old enough to look after it themselves.

Pukaha Mount Bruce delivers LEOTC (Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom) programmes to close to 3000 students every year. The programme is designed to inspire, engage and connect New Zealands younger generation with our unique environment. A range of curriculum-linked programmes are available to students at primary, intermediate and secondary levels and are tailored specifically to the requirements. Topics of specific learning include:

28 July 2006

Conservation Week at Pukaha Mount Bruce

New Zealand’s native pigeons (kereru) swoop and soar above the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest and also have an essential role to play in sustaining forests.

A free open day at Pukaha Mount Bruce on August 6 will show people how they can help these large fruit foragers by planting in their gardens native trees to feed kereru, which eat and disperse berries.

The event is one of many taking place nationwide during Conservation Week, which runs from August 7-13. The theme this year is Everybody’s business – Kia ngakau nui te katoa ki te whakarato.

Visitors will be able to get out into the natural environment, learn something new about nature and find out how to start their own conservation project.

Conservation week 2006 will also celebrate the achievements of the Pukaha Restoration Project, which has enabled bird populations, such as the kereru to thrive and species such as kaka, kokako and kiwi to return to live in the wild in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.
During the open day, a free guided walk offered at 10:30am will help visitors develop their tree identification skills, with a particular focus on the species that attract kereru, New Zealand’s magnificent native pigeon. A presentation on what people can do to attract kereru to their own backyard will also be delivered as part of the day’s activities.

There will be displays which focus on restoration practicalities, what to plant and tree identification. At 11:30am, visitors will be guided by a DOC ranger to learn how to track wildlife and protect nesting sites within the forest. Following the walks and talks a quiz will be offered to encourage and challenge learning.

Department of Conservation event organiser Sandra Burles believes that this open day will offer something for everyone.

“This event has been planned to appeal to people of all ages and with different areas of interest. Guided walks taking place in the morning are a must-do for people interested in learning about how to attract birds to their own backyard. Afternoon events on offer include the popular eel feed at 1:30pm and wild kaka feed at 3pm, which are always a highlight for visitors.

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28 June 2007

Sponsors celebrate kiwi return to mainland NZ

DB Breweries Managing Director Brian Blake about to release a kiwi back into the wild

As part of Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi work, key sponsors committed to restoring the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest in the Wairarapa shared in the celebration of the release of three more kiwi into the wild there yesterday.

Sourced from captive breeding programmes at Te Puia in Rotorua, Whangarei Kiwi House and Otorohanga Kiwi House, they bring the wild population to 13 birds, two of which are Pukaha “natives” - the offspring of kiwi previously transferred from captivity into the 942 ha forest.

Sponsorship has been integral to the success of the Pukaha Restoration Project - the first of its kind in New Zealand to demonstrate that it is possible to return species to unfenced areas on the mainland from where they have become previously extinct. With sustained levels of pest control, wild kaka, kokako and kiwi have not only survived, but successfully bred after being re-introduced to a forest that they had long been absent.

However this level of pest control comes at a cost and since the project commenced in April 2001, over $200,000 has been needed annually to maintain extremely low numbers of pests in the forest. The Department of Conservation contributes approximately half of this amount in the form of staff time, salaries and other associated costs, but the Pukaha restoration project also relies heavily on private and corporate sponsorship to achieve its goals.

Yesterday, the project’s ‘big’ investors talked about their interest in the project and their motivation for supporting it.

DB Breweries has committed through its local Tui Brewery $250,000 towards pest control in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest over a five year period and Managing Director Brian Blake talked about why at yesterday’s event.

“A number of New Zealand’s native bird species are currently on the ‘serious decline’ list, including North Island brown kiwi. As a brewer with a long history in the region, through our Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, home of the famous Tui beer, we have a role to play in the protection and restoration of its heritage.

By supporting Pukaha Mount Bruce, we hope to inspire others to see the importance of getting behind the protection and restoration of New Zealand’s native bird species - species intrinsically linked to our country’s heritage.”

Other ‘big’ sponsors that have committed at least $50,000 towards the project over a five year period include Oldfield Group Limited, Tranzit Coachlines (Wairarapa) Ltd, Trust House Limited and WN Pharazyn Charitable Trust.

A Transpower Grant, administered by New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation, the Department of Conservation’s strategic partner for conservation sponsorship, contributed $10,000 towards the cost of transferring the kiwi from the captive institutions to Pukaha Mount Bruce.

Pukaha Mount Bruce Board chairman Bob Francis said that projects such as the restoration of the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest would not be possible without the support of the community.

“The effort that has gone in to maintaining extremely low numbers of pests in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest has made it possible for kaka, kokako and kiwi to live and thrive here, which would never have happened without the generous support of sponsors.

After just five years of pest control, this forest is once again filled with the sound of birdsong not heard here for a very long time and is already a special place for the local community to be proud of, and to enjoy for many years to come.”

An additional 10 captive North Island brown kiwi from around New Zealand will be also released into the forest over the coming months, including Pukaha Mount Bruce nocturnal house kiwi Rangi and Tua, which are to be replaced by a pair of captive kiwi from Napier.

The Pukaha Restoration Project is a co-operative venture between the Department of Conservation, the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane O Wairarapa, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council.

The project also receives funding through a “Sponsor a Hectare of Pest Control” scheme; “Pukaha – Songs from the Forest” CD sales and other fundraising activities carried out by local “Adopt a Kiwi” schools and donations from hundreds of groups and individuals from New Zealand and around the world.
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30 June 2006

Bugs discovered at Pukaha Mount Bruce

Children with thier wild creations at Pukaha Mount Bruce

“Let’s discover bugs” is the theme for this school holiday programme running at Pukaha

Mount Bruce from Monday 3rd July to Friday 14th July.

Between 11.30am – 2pm every day of the school holidays, children will be going on ‘bug hunts’ and discovering bugs as part of their forest adventures.

This programme will see participants exploring the forest and looking for some of New Zealand’s most fascinating creepy crawlies; picnicking amongst the ancient trees and then putting their creative energies to work during the “make a bug” session at 1.30pm.

School holiday programme developer and Pukaha Mount Bruce receptionist Pam Basher said this programme is different from previous school holiday programmes because the main emphasis is on exploration and ‘getting amongst it’ in the forest environment.

“Winter at Pukaha Mount Bruce is a great time for the kids to pile on layers of clothes, get into the forest environment and find out why bugs are cool! Participants will find bugs in the forest; learn about what they eat, where they live, what they do and why they’re important. The morning ‘bug hunt’ will be followed by a forest floor picnic lunch and then it’s back to the Visitor Centre for a creative “best bug competition” session.”

The programme is just $10 per child and $4 for accompanying adults. Lunch is included in the package for children. A ratio of one adult for every four children is required for safety reasons and gumboots and jackets recommended.

9 May 2006 - Pukaha's first "native" chicks go wild

LucyTerry helps Ranger Tony Silbury put one of the kiwi into a burrow

The first two kiwi chicks conceived in the wild at Pukaha Mount Bruce for more than a century were released into the forest today. They were joined by a chick produced by Rangi and Tua, the kiwi in the Pukaha Mount Bruce kiwi nocturnal house.  

The chicks have all been hand reared since they hatched in incubators last year, on 27 September, 21 October, and 12 December 2005. Another chick produced in captivity is awaiting release when it reaches the suitable release weight of 1200gm. It hatched on 17 February 2006.

An additional 13 captive North Island brown kiwi from around New Zealand will be also released into the forest over the coming months, including Rangi and Tua, who are to be replaced in the nocturnal house by captive kiwi from elsewhere. The transfers will boost the wild population to 24.

Department of Conservation Wairarapa Area Manager Derrick Field believes that this release marks a critical turning point for the kiwi population at Pukaha Mount Bruce.

“We now know that with current levels of pest control, North Island brown kiwi will stay and breed here in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest. The release of these, and further kiwi into the forest later on this year, bodes well for the future of the kiwi population at Pukaha Mount Bruce.”

Ten local schools participating in the Pukaha Mount Bruce “Adopt-a-kiwi” programme were invited to the kiwi release. “Adopt a kiwi” schools have been involved in Pukaha restoration fundraising activities since late 2004 and each school receives regular updates regarding their adopted kiwi’s progress in the forest.

Schools present at the release included Carterton, Mangatainoka, Douglas Park, St Patricks and Pahiatua Schools and St Matthews Collegiate. Carterton and Mangatainoka Schools ‘adopted’ two of the kiwi released yesterday and student representatives were invited to help release ‘their’ kiwi into the burrow.

Mangatainoka School student Jana Donald said she had been selected to attend the release on behalf of the school because of the interest she had shown in the kiwi video in the Pukaha Mount Bruce Kiwi Nocturnal House.

“I think that kiwi eggs are really interesting. Today was fun because I got to hold a kiwi – I’ve never held a kiwi before – it felt very soft.”

The first chick to be conceived in the wild at Pukaha Mount Bruce, is the offspring of ‘Mr Kiwi,’ transferred from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch, released into the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest in December 2003. His mate was also from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve and released on the same day as Mr Kiwi.

The second chick to be conceived in the wild is the offspring of Manu Tapu and Kopa Kopa which were released into the wild on 27 October 2004, after being transferred from their captive breeding home at Otorohanga Kiwi House.

The establishment of this new kiwi population in December 2003 on part of the mainland from where they became extinct well over a century ago, was a first in the history of New Zealand.

The Pukaha restoration project relies heavily on private and corporate sponsorship to achieve its goals and since the project commenced in April 2001, $300,000 has been raised towards pest control by the community.

Jana Donald with one of three juvenile kiwis set free at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Photo: Susan Nikolaison

Corporate sponsor DB Breweries is a key supporter of the project, through its local brewery, the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka and has committed $250,000 towards the forest restoration over a period of five years. Managing Director of DB Breweries, Brian Blake is very keen to see a viable population of kiwi established in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest.

“Our support is based on the desire to play an active role in the preservation of some of New Zealand’s national treasures.

“The successful reintroduction of threatened bird species into the mainland such as kiwi as well as the protection of existing treasures like the tui bird are key to our partnership,” says Brian Blake

Other major sponsors include WN Pharazyn Charitable Trust, Tranzit Coachlines (Wairarapa Limited), Trust House Limited, Oldfield Group Limited. The project has also received considerable support from the Wairarapa Times Age and 89.3More FM.

The Pukaha Restoration Project is a co-operative venture between the Department of Conservation, the National Wildlife Centre Trust, Rangitaane O Wairarapa, Greater Wellington Regional Council and Horizons Regional Council, and has also seen kaka and kokako successfully reintroduced into the forest.
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7 April 2006

International prize for Mount Bruce

Biodiversity manager geoff Underwood with the ARAZPA award

THE fight to return the dawn chorus to the primeval Pukaha Mount Bruce forest has won an international conservation prize for the Wairarapa wildlife centre.

The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre captive breeding facility and forest restoration project is sharing with Auckland Zoo the 2006 international Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria award for In Situ Conservation – given for exceptional effort towards habitat preservation, species restoration and support of biodiversity in the wild.

The Pukaha Mount Bruce centre is responsible for the breeding and husbandry of a range of endangered New Zealand species for release to the wild as part of national recovery programmes.

The centre has played a key role in the survival of some of the country's most threatened wildlife including Campbell Island teal, shore plover, stitchbird, kokako and saddleback.
The centre has also started a forest restoration programme that has enabled, for the first time, native fauna to be successfully re-established on the mainland in the wild, at a site from where they had become extinct.

Derrick Field, Wairarapa area manager for Department of Conservation, said the award recognised the commitment from the community and DOC staff to saving endangered wildlife. "And to returning the dawn chorus to the primeval 942ha Pukaha Mount Bruce forest, one of the last remnants of the once magnificent 70 mile bush, which stretched from Masterton to Norsewood.

"Local authorities, iwi, businesses, schools, neighbouring landowners and the local community have all played a large part in securing the viability of the Pukaha Restoration Project.

"Their efforts are paying off as we see populations of kaka, kiwi and kokako expanding in the wild."

"Our captive breeding staff have worked with DOC scientists in other parts of the country to raise endangered species at Pukaha and return them to the wild. Thanks to their efforts we have now returned Campbell Island teal home to a pest-free haven and shore plover to a number of predator-free locations.

"Both species have been brought back from the brink of extinction."

Auckland Zoo was also recognised for its work with the Campbell Island Teal. Over a five year period Auckland Zoo staff, in collaboration with DOC, minimised disease threats and provided primary health care to teal during two shipments to the Subantarctic.

Evidence of teal breeding was observed on Campbell Island last year for the first time in 180 years.

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14 March 2006

Good news for Campbell Island teal

The Department of Conservation team who have been on the Subantarctic Campbell Island for the last three weeks have come back to terra firma today in Invercargill with excellent news for some of our most enigmatic wildlife.

The team returning from Campbell Island today consisted of six people and two specially trained dogs who have spent the last three weeks searching the remote island for teal.
The team are thrilled with the discovery that the endangered native teal that were released onto Campbell Island over the 2004 and 2005 summers have bred. During their three weeks on the remote Campbell Island, the team found five different ages of ducklings, which is a promising sign for this rare native bird.

“As well as finding ducklings, the team discovered nesting remains and unbanded adult ducks, which are last year’s ducklings,” said Pete McCleland, Programme Manager for the Subantarctic Islands.

“Finding evidence of breeding so soon after returning these ducks to their natural habitat of Campbell Island is excellent news, and it shows a fantastic response to the rat eradication,” he said.

In 2001 the Department of Conservation carried out the world's largest rodent eradication on the 22, 000 hectare Campbell Island, and removed the last introduced predator from the island.

Because of predation by rats and other predators, the tiny flightless Campbell Island teal had gone extinct on the main island. Twenty years ago, eleven Campbell Island teal were brought back to New Zealand for breeding as a captive population and this allowed the reintroduction of the Campbell Island teal back to their natural habitat with 50 being released on Campbell Island in 2004 and another 55 in 2005.

The team also found other exciting signs of the native wildlife readjusting to life without predators, with the discovery of a Campbell Snipe at Perseverance Harbour approx 3km from the closet previous record, and a grey-backed storm petrel chick. Snipe were only discovered in 1997 on the nearby Jaquemart Island, and in 2005 two birds were found on the main island for the first time. The distance that the snipe was found from the earlier site of this latest discovery means that the returning population of snipe may be much larger than anticipated.

“The snipe’s return to its natural stomping ground of Campbell Island in the absence of introduced predators such as rats, is a very good indicator of the importance of the rodent removal, and how quickly native wildlife can adjust without predators wrecking their survival chances,” said Mr McClelland.

The storm petrel chick was found in its burrow by one of the dogs and it is the first record of this species breeding on the island. It is hoped that it will be followed by many other examples of this and a range of other seabird species that were wiped out by the rats. The Department of Conservation is thrilled with the initial benefits that removing rats has had on the whole island, and is looking forward to future positive impacts.

“All of this along with the amazing regeneration of the plants and a huge increase in the insect numbers has been made possible by the removal of the introduced animals. We look forward to seeing what else will happen over the coming years.”
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30 February 2006

GO Wairarapa hosts Dr Harry Cooper at Pukaha Mount Bruce

 

Dr Harry Cooper checking one of the captive tuatara.

Filming for a New Zealand eco-tourism special brought an Australian TV crew to Wairarapa on Monday 27 February 2006 to record some unique native wildlife at Pukaha Mount Bruce. ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ are producing a ninety minute show for broadcast to 1.3 million Australian viewers in August.

Presented by celebrity vet Dr Harry Cooper, star of Channel Seven’s ‘Harry’s Practice’, the show aims to showcase New Zealand’s native flora and fauna. ‘Better Homes and Gardens TV’ will spent the day at Pukaha Mount Bruce getting up close and personal to a bat pups, an 11 day old kiwi chick, an extremely friendly kokako and other Pukaha attractions: eels, kaka and of course the magnificent native bush. Dr Harry also gave one of the tuatara a ‘health check’!

We are very excited about this ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ eco-tourism special. GO Wairarapa has worked hard with the Australian travel trade and media to promote Wairarapa’s unique features and to be one of only three highlighted regions in this travel special is quite a coup,” says Wendy Balfour, GO Wairarapa’s Tourism Marketing Manager. “The international markets are becoming more aware of where Wairarapa is and what we have to offer. While there is a lot of work to do as a region developing attractions that appeal to a wide audience Pukaha Mount Bruce is one of our ‘not to be missed’ regional highlights and attracts domestic and international visitors year round.”

Dr Harry Cooper with on of the wild kiwi during a check of kiwi in the Pukaha Mount bruce forest.

“ ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ will also film at penguins and albatross in Otago, along with kiwi, tuatara and giant weta at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington.

For further information contact:
Brigitte Marulli de Barletta on: 06 377 0765, or, 027 322 0474.
Or Geoff Underwood on: 06 3758004

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22 February 2006

Pioneer plover destined for southern seas

DOC Ranger Darren Page with one of the Shore plover to be transfered

Eleven shore plover bred and raised at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre flew (by plane) to the South Island last week in preparation for their release onto a predator-free island

They were joined by four birds bred at Peacock Springs, Isaac Wildlife Trust in Christchurch.

Another 17 Pukaha-bred shore plover and seven from Peacock Springs will join the pioneer birds next month, bringing the total number of shore plover released on the island in February/March to 39. All shore plover destined for release were bred this summer season and are offspring of shore plover that originated from the Chatham Islands.

Department of Conservation Wairarapa area manager Derrick Field is thrilled with the success of the shore plover breeding programme this season and believes the number of shore plover bred this year compares highly to other years.

“The team have shown tremendous skill in the area of bird husbandry to produce this number of chicks from just 6 breeding pairs. By incubating the first and second clutches in artificial incubators, production has increased significantly compared to previous years, and to be sending 28 shore plover for release this year is a significant achievement.”

One of the rarest plover species in the world, shore plover was once widespread in the coastal areas around New Zealand. But by the late 1800s these small wading birds became confined to the Chatham Islands and there were just 130 left in the wild by the 1990s. In 1991, 14 birds were hatched from eggs taken from the island and transferred to the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre. Just a year later, the birds paired and bred at one year old, beginning a captive breeding programme which has produced more than 130 birds to date.

In the past the shore plover raised at Pukaha Mount Bruce were released onto a predator free island off the North Island East Coast, where there is now a healthy, self sustaining population. While some of the birds have dispersed, most have stayed and bred to make the project a success.

The latest transfer marks a new release of shore plover onto another suitable island, and Pukaha Mount Bruce captive breeding ranger Darren Page is confident that the birds will quickly settle into their new home.

“The island the birds are destined for has been chosen for its desirable habitat and the absence of predators like cats, stoats and rats, which should be suited to the dietary and lifestyle needs of shore plover.”

Shore plover feed on marine invertebrates found amongst kelp, on sand and in rock pools and on exposed rocky areas during low tide.

The long-term goal for the recovery of the species is to restore shore plover to sites in New Zealand and the Chatham Islands which cover parts of their original range. Establishing shore plover at five or more locations with a combined population of 250 or more birds would change the IUCN ranking from endangered to vulnerable.

At present recovery efforts focus on protecting the existing populations in the Chatham Islands, and establishing new populations on suitable predator-free offshore islands.

The New Zealand shore plover is one of the rarest plover species in the world. It is endemic to the New Zealand region. It was once widespread in the coastal areas around New Zealand, but by the late 1800’s became confined to the Chatham Islands.

Until 1999 it was assumed that NZ shore plover were confined in the wild to one sedentary breeding population on Rangatira (south east island) in the Chatham Islands. A second remnant population of 21 NZ shore plover was discovered in February 1999 on Western reef in the Chatham Islands. This population appears to have survived, undetected and completely separated from the Rangatira population for more than 100 years.

A self sustaining population of shore plover has been established on an island off the east coast of the north island. Shore plover from Pukaha Mount Bruce have been released onto this island annually since 1998. During this time a total of 86 birds have been released. The aim of the programme was to establish a self sustaining population on this island. This has been achieved and no further birds will be required to supplement the population. The Department of Conservation recently identified another island off the South Island coast on which to establish a new population.

The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre has bred over 130 birds to date.
Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre has bred over 130 birds to date.
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20 February 2006

Setback for Kapiti bat translocation

A ground breaking plan by the Department of Conservation to establish a colony of short tailed bats on Kapiti Island has suffered a setback with the deaths of more than half the bat pups destined for a second transfer to the island.

Eight of 14 pups born in captivity at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre died following their births in early January, most of them in the last fortnight. Four of 17 pregnant females captured from a threatened colony in the Tararua Forest Park in December have also died.

Just three bat pups are now being taken to Kapiti Island today, joining bats successfully transferred to the island a year ago, to establish a new population there. The other three will remain in captivity to enable the development of husbandry techniques for bats in captivity, DOC fauna scientist Lynn Adams said.

Autopsies reveal that four of the bat pup deaths were associated with aggression from other bats.

“We are still uncertain why the others have died.” Ms Adams said.

“Some may have died subsequent to their mothers dying.”

Two female adults died shortly after giving birth, from suspected birth complications, and another two died in early February. (Three of the surviving 13 females apparently miscarried.) The adult bats will be returned to the Tararua Forest Park.

The deaths have come as a blow to DOC staff involved in the project after the success of last year which saw 20 of 25 bats born in captivity transferred to Kapiti Island. It was the first time in the world that bats were successfully translocated to another location for conservation purposes. At least nine of the bats are known to still be on Kapiti Island.

“Even if these are the only ones still alive the survival rate of juveniles is still much higher than that of some of the bat species in the wild around the world,” Ms Adams said.

Last year six of the 25 adult bats caught died in captivity at Pukaha Mount Bruce and five pups were lost. This rate was probably similar to survival in the wild.

“We are not entirely sure why there is a higher mortality rate this year but a number of the dead bats had been bitten and it may be that this year we were unlucky enough to have caught a particularly aggressive female.

“We have also been looking at the roost design which currently doesn’t perfectly mimic a natural roost and we’ll look at redesigning the roost in the hope that this may improve things next year.

“We have been learning more about the health risks to bats during a normally stressful time in a bat's lifecycle and autopsies have now given us more clues about the risks associated both with this programme, and this time in the bat’s life cycle.”

It was also discovered that nine of the bats on Kapiti had a condition causing scabs on their sensitive ears.

“The problem was successfully treated and all nine are doing well but we are still uncertain why they developed the scabs. We were hoping to investigate the problem in more depth this year, but now with only three bats to transfer, it will be more difficult to detect problems on Kapiti.”

Like their predecessors, the bats being taken to Kapiti Island today will be held in an enclosure for several weeks while they acclimatise to their new home.

Ms Adams said while these setbacks had slowed progress, DOC was still hopeful of establishing a population on Kapiti.

“There is always a level of risk in projects that are developing new techniques and we knew from the outset that this project would be difficult.

“However the lessons learnt from this project will be of great benefit to bat conservation throughout the world.”

The success of the translocation project will be assessed after three years.

Believed to be the last remaining population of short-tailed bats in the south of the North Island, the Tararua Forest Park colony of around 200 bats had been isolated from other bat populations for about 90,000 years by volcanic activity, and glaciation. As a result the bats are genetically distinct from other short-tailed bat species. They are now thought to be under siege from predators such as ship rats and stoats and at risk of extinction.

When a thriving population is established on Kapiti Island, attempts may be made to transfer bats back to other sites in the lower North Island.

Short-tailed bats aid the pollination of native plants and establish their roosts in tree cavities deep in the island’s older forests. Bats are New Zealand’s only terrestrial mammals.

1 February 2006

More bat pups being prepared for transfer

While many of us were preparing family feasts over the festive season, dedicated Pukaha

While many of us were preparing family feasts over the festive season, dedicated Pukaha

Mount Bruce staff were busy catering for the culinary demands of 17 captive bat pups.

The 17 lesser short-tailed bat pups were born in captivity after their pregnant ‘mums’ were transferred from a threatened population in the Waiohine Valley in the Tararua Forest Park to Pukaha Mount Bruce last December. The pups are being prepared for transfer to pest-free Kapiti Island in February where they will join the other juvenile bats transferred there this time last year.

Department of Conservation biodiversity unit programme manager Geoff Underwood is pleased with how quickly the bats have adapted to their new temporary home.

“The adults and their young have adjusted remarkably well to captive conditions, and whilst three pups have needed to be hand raised they are thriving on the artificial milk formula we are using and rapidly gaining weight.”

The Department of Conservation pulled off a world first successful translocation of bats for conservation purposes for the first time last summer when 25 pregnant bats were taken from the Waiohine Valley to Pukaha Mount Bruce. The 20 bat pups born at Pukaha Mount Bruce were then translocated to Kapiti Island in February 2005. The bats are still being seen on the island confirming that they adjusted to their new home.

Previously, all attempts at moving bats to safer locations were thwarted due to their incredible homing instincts and the diminishing population of approximately 200 short tailed bats in the Waiohine Valley faced an uncertain future. Bat pups were transferred to Kapiti Island when they were still young enough to lack a homing instinct, reducing any fears that their homing instincts would drive them to return to Pukaha Mount Bruce, or to the Waiohine Valley.

DOC Wellington Conservancy fauna technical support officer Lynn Adams is excited with the success of the project so far.

“Without this intervention, we may eventually have lost what is believed to be the last remaining population of lesser short tailed bats in the lower North Island. Translocation to predator-free islands has secured a number of species in New Zealand and now we hope to include bats on that list. It also has important implications for bat conservation world wide”

These short-tailed bats are genetically distinct from others in New Zealand, isolated from other bat populations about 90,000 years ago by volcanic activity and glaciation and are now thought to be under siege from predators.

DOC plans to transfer more juvenile short-tailed bats from Tararua Forest Park to Kapiti Island over the next year, using the same techniques applied to this transfer. When a thriving population is established on the island, attempts will be made to transfer bats back to other sites in the lower North Island.

Short-tailed bats aid the pollination of native plants and establish their roosts in tree cavities deep in the island’s older forests. The colony of around 200 short-tailed bats found in the Tararua Forest Park in the late 1990s is the only known population of short-tailed bats in the southern North Island. It is thought they are related to both the volcanic plateau and the southern short-tailed bats.
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25 January 2006

New kokako chicks for Pukaha Mount Bruce

Kokako chick gets banded before return to the forest

The wild kokako population in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest is close to becoming self sustaining with the arrival of three more chicks this season.  

The second pair of kokako chicks to be conceived in the wild at Pukaha Mount Bruce in 60 years fledged from their nest earlier this week and another is expected to fledge within the next fortnight.

The recently hatched chicks join 17 other wild kokako flying free in the Pukaha Mount Bruce forest, bringing the total wild population to 20 birds. They include 15 birds transferred to the forest from the Mangatutu ecological area in Waikato’s Pureora Forest Park and the Mapara Wildlife Reserve in the Waikato, and two chicks produced in the forest in January 2004. The latest arrivals are the progeny of a pair of kokako from Mapara which were released in September last year. The other chick was conceived by the same Mangatutu pair that produced the chicks in 2004.

Department of Conservation biodiversity unit ranger Tony Silbery said the population could be just a season away from becoming sustainable.

“We are confident that the population is becoming sustainable now that we have 20 wild birds. If we continue pest control at current levels we can expect to see a cumulative increase in bird numbers over the coming years. For kokako twenty breeding pairs is considered a sustainable population and we are really only one good season away from reaching that goal.”

Mr Silbery said the chicks were in tip-top condition.

“The forest is in good health and all the chicks were plump and well conditioned in preparation for their first flight from the nest. We also noticed the parents of the two fledged chicks gorging themselves on coprosma berries today, and are hopeful that they will nest again this season.”

Department of Conservation biodiversity programme manager Geoff Underwood said kokako taken as pairs from Mangatutu and Mapara were likely to remain as separate breeding pairs initially.

“The kokako came with unique ‘regional’ dialects which had evolved over a number of years, so we would expect that Mapara kokako will have difficulty understanding Mangatutu kokako and vice-versa. However, as the population becomes established, a ‘Pukaha Mount Bruce dialect’ will develop and younger birds bred at Pukaha will inter-breed with any other kokako in the forest, regardless of its parentage, bringing greater genetic diversity to the population.”

Once wide-spread in the lower North Island, kokako became extinct from this range some 60 years ago, with the last sighting reported by Mount Bruce takahe recovery pioneer Elwyn Welch in the mid-1940s. Over the past 15 years, remnant populations have been managed and have recovered to become viable, however with just 1200 birds known, it remains an endangered species.

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