‘Giant rats’ in our cities have hit the media headlines in recent weeks and, while ‘rats as big as cats’ are unlikely to be stalking the suburbs, there do seem to be some large and well-fed rats lurking in urban areas. What’s more – the rats that your cat brings home may not be the biggest ones out … [Read more...] about Cats vs Rats (and the big ones that get away)
Research
Review of conservation tools under development
The Journal of Ornithology has just published a review of the conservation tools being developed for New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 eradication programme. The paper’s authors, Elaine Murphy (DOC and Zero Invasive Predators – ZIP), James Russell (ZIP and University of Auckland), Keith Broome (DOC), … [Read more...] about Review of conservation tools under development
How can we help native species in a mast year?
Graeme Elliott has been studying our native birds for 45 years and using his knowledge we've put together an overview of how we can best protect our native birds in a mast year. A small reclusive bird the rock wren For him the message is clear, the main tool that can be used to reduce … [Read more...] about How can we help native species in a mast year?
What is a mast event and why does it matter?
There has been a lot of talk in the media about the beech mast and the mega mast. So what is it and why does in matter? Dr Graeme Elliot from the Department of Conservation shares his knowledge. Mohua/Yellowhead is sensitive to stoat predation. Graeme Elliott has been studying our native birds … [Read more...] about What is a mast event and why does it matter?
Auckland’s bird biodiversity revealed
Urban landscapes are becoming recognised as important places of biodiversity. The concrete jungle can potentially be a great habitat for wildlife and having good biodiversity in our cities allows urban-dwellers to interact with nature in their daily lives. Photo: Auckland CBD (Wikimedia … [Read more...] about Auckland’s bird biodiversity revealed
Thermal squeeze could put pressure on native wildlife
Thermal squeeze: it’s what happens when temperatures rise, predators spread out to higher altitudes and their vulnerable prey species are squeezed into less-than-ideal pocket habitats at the outside edges of their range. Large, cavity-nesting birds may be particularly vulnerable to thermal … [Read more...] about Thermal squeeze could put pressure on native wildlife
Kōkako genetics investigated
Translocations have been an important part of North Island kōkako population recovery, but when you’re obtaining your founding birds from small relict populations it’s important to maintain and even improve genetic diversity. University of Otago Zoology Masters graduate Meghan Milner-Jones studied … [Read more...] about Kōkako genetics investigated
Study seeks future homes for kakapo
The kakapo population is outgrowing its island refuge – but where might future kakapo live? In a predator free future, the answer could include protected mainland sites provided there are sites that are big enough, safe enough and with the right kind of habitat for kakapo to thrive. If those likely … [Read more...] about Study seeks future homes for kakapo
Long-range study follows kiwi for 22 years
A 22-year study in Tongariro Forest has followed 142 radio-tagged North Island brown kiwi through 4 landscape-scale aerial 1080 operations, covering an area of 20,000 hectares. Not only did all 142 kiwi survive the 1080 drops, but the long-term study reveals a swag of other interesting information … [Read more...] about Long-range study follows kiwi for 22 years
New clues in the search for synthetic lures
Peanut butter is the standard rat attractant – and apparently, they’re pretty keen on chocolate and Nutella too. But researchers at Victoria University of Wellington’s ‘Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology’ have come up with some chemical compounds that wild rats seem to rate even better … [Read more...] about New clues in the search for synthetic lures