Many of NZ's introduced mammal predators – including house mice – are good at climbing trees. To understand the impact they have on tree-nesting birds and other tree-living wildlife, we need to learn more about how predators use vegetation compared with the ground. Mice aren’t commonly found in … [Read more...] about Tree-climbing habits of predators studied
Ruakuri’s unique karst landscape benefits from zero rat density
The Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, which includes New Zealand’s internationally renowned Ruakuri Cave, is an epic example of cave and karst landscape and sanctuary to New Zealand's endemic and vulnerable fauna and flora, including long-tailed bats and bush falcons. It’s limestone country with caves and … [Read more...] about Ruakuri’s unique karst landscape benefits from zero rat density
Clearing river islands may help nesting terns
Researchers from the University of Otago and Department of Conservation have been investigating how to improve the plight of our endangered black-fronted terns in research recently published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology. Traps, bait stations and a Komatsu bulldozer can all help make … [Read more...] about Clearing river islands may help nesting terns
Eleven more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
We are pleased to announce the addition of 11 communities to our Kiwibank Predator Free Community programme. The most recent round of funding was the most competitive yet, with 69 applications. The majority of applications were from well organised, highly motivated communities wanting to make a … [Read more...] about Eleven more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
Towards a Predator Free Taranaki
A large-scale predator project, the biggest of its kind in New Zealand, was launched in Taranaki today supported by more than $11 million from the Government. Taranaki aims to be the first predator free region in the country under the project, called Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Our Place, Towards a … [Read more...] about Towards a Predator Free Taranaki
Saving community conservation
Community conservation is in trouble and without clear objectives and support structures the risk of volunteers losing interest is high, according to a new report commissioned by Predator Free New Zealand Trust. The report by leading researcher Dr Marie Brown from The Catalyst Group, … [Read more...] about Saving community conservation
Twelve more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
From Auckland to Arrowtown and an assortment of towns and suburbs in between – the successful applicants for Round 3 of Kiwibank Predator Free Communities have just been announced. Every winner has a different story, but the 12 successful community groups all have something in common: a … [Read more...] about Twelve more Kiwibank Predator Free Communities announced…
Rats and human disease links
In New Zealand we tend to focus on the harm rats do to our wildlife and ecosystems. But there’s another side to rats that’s even closer to home – their ability to carry diseases and parasites to people. From pig farms in Canada to the slums of Brazil, recent international research has been looking … [Read more...] about Rats and human disease links
PCE Report — 5 Things You Need to Know
Last week Dr. Jan Wright released her penultimate report as Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Titled “Taonga of an island nation”. It has been widely supported and will hopefully help focus our attention to save the species that desperately need our help. We will be delving into … [Read more...] about PCE Report — 5 Things You Need to Know
Book: Bringing back the birdsong
With intensive pest control, the Doaks have witnessed a dramatic recovery of the native flora and fauna. In ‘their coastal slice’ the natural world has returned with a profusion of birdsong in the forest. This book is a plea for the conservation and protection of New Zealand’s wildernesses, … [Read more...] about Book: Bringing back the birdsong