Island Conservation
Study shows that the New Zealand Kea is the first non-mammal to show contagious emotion though a laugh-like noise that makes other Keas happy. We all know that laughter is contagious among humans. Now, research tells us that it’s also contagious among Keas. The Kea is a species of parrot native to the mountains of New […]
As climate change progresses, the threat of invasive species will also grow. Island wildlife face growing threats from invasive species. One factor that will play an increasingly important role is climate change. Climate change has been proving favorable to invasive species–and disastrous to native wildlife around the world. The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly clear in places such as […]
Scientific American features Nature article about NZ’s project: Predator Free 2050. New Zealand’s first invasive rat eradication took place on a one-hectare island in 1963. Half a century of experience and accumulated wisdom later, the country is rolling out Predator Free 2050, a plan to remove all invasive rats, possums, and stoats by 2050. Invasive […]
Conservationists celebrate discovery of Mohua breeding pairs on Blumine Island, NZ. On a small island off the coast of New Zealand, bird enthusiasts and conservation biologists have just received a welcomed surprise. The Endangered Mohua, also known as a yellowhead, lives in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. Just recently, it has been […]
Careful planning and technological innovation are key to the realization of New Zealand’s project: Predator Free 2050. New Zealand’s first invasive rat eradication took place on a one-hectare island in 1963. Half a century of experience and accumulated wisdom later, the country is rolling out Predator Free 2050, a plan to remove all invasive rats, possums, […]
Four Fairy Tern chicks (classified Vulnerable) just hatched on beaches from Waipu to Mangawhai, New Zealand. The Fairy Tern is a beautiful seabird species classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as Vulnerable. This seabird nests on mainland coastlines as well as on offshore islands. The species faces a number of threats, including […]
For the Critically Endangered Kākāpō, 2016 was a good year. Thanks to the efforts of the Kākāpō Recovery Program rangers these birds seem to be recovering. As a Kākāpō Ranger with the Kākāpō Recovery Program the work never ends. The Kākāpō is a beautiful Critically Endangered species endemic to New Zealand. For the past 25 years, the […]
New Zealand’s biggest native gecko is returning to the mainland after a 100-year absence. The Duvaucel’s Gecko is New Zealand’s biggest gecko–but it’s not big enough to ward off invasive predators. This native New Zealand species experienced extreme decline due to the presence of invasive species in its habitat. Now, after 100 years of absence, […]
Great Mercury Island, New Zealand is recovering following removal of invasive predators. In 2014, a population of invasive predators was completely removed from Ahuahu (Great Mercury Island) by the Department of Conservation. Following this intervention, the island’s original predators and keystone species have begun to return. The Pycroft’s Petrel was recorded on the island after […]
Endangered Takahē, a native bird of New Zealand, is experiencing a much-needed population boost thanks to conservation efforts. The South Island Takahē was believed to be extinct for fifty years before it was found surviving in Fiordland’s Murchison mountains in 1948. The flightless bird faced threats from competing and predatory invasive species. Now, thanks to […]