When you think about roads and wildlife, the first thought that springs to mind is a collision with fatal consequences. But roads can impact wildlife in a whole range of ways and more evidence is needed on the most effective ways to mitigate those impacts. Collisions with vehicles are only one … [Read more...] about Road hazards for wildlife more than just a collision risk
Native wildlife
Rare orange-spotted gecko lives only in alpine zone
There’s a rare and colourful gecko known to live in only a few boulder fields and rock jumbles in the alpine areas of Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts. It’s been named the orange-spotted gecko and was only discovered as recently as 1998. Orange-spotted gecko. Photo: Carey Knox … [Read more...] about Rare orange-spotted gecko lives only in alpine zone
Citizen science monitoring method outlined and tested
Monitoring wildlife population densities in our ‘mainland island’ fenced sanctuaries is an important part of measuring sanctuary success and assessing the longterm costs and benefits of predator-exclusion fencing. Such fences don’t come cheap, after all. What's the best way to monitor population … [Read more...] about Citizen science monitoring method outlined and tested
Hibernation or torpor? Understanding our weird and wonderful bats
Let’s be honest – New Zealand’s wildlife is weird. There are alpine weta that can freeze and thaw, kiwi with their amazing sense of smell and mammal-like behaviour, booming kakapo, carnivorous snails – and then there are our bats. The closest relatives of our short-tailed bats live in tropical … [Read more...] about Hibernation or torpor? Understanding our weird and wonderful bats
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?
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