Predator Free NZ

Sanctuaries and projects

Tūī numbers treble in predator control study

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When you remove predators from islands and restore forest habitat, the expectation is that native forest birds will flourish and that the new ‘improved’ conditions may favour native birds over introduced species. But is that what happens Researchers John Ralph, Carol Ralph and Linda Long looked … [Read more...] about Tūī numbers treble in predator control study

Hauraki Gulf islanders surveyed on pest control attitudes

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Now that an increasing number of our wildlife-rich - but uninhabited by humans - offshore islands are becoming predator free, the conservation spotlight is turning to some of New Zealand’s inhabited islands. But predator eradication becomes more complicated when people are living onsite. Its not … [Read more...] about Hauraki Gulf islanders surveyed on pest control attitudes

Video camera study reveals rare birds in ruru diet

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The ruru (morepork) is a predator – but it’s certainly not on the ‘predator-free’ hit list. Those slots are just for introduced mammal predators which haven’t co-evolved with our vulnerable native species. Ruru do prey on other native wildlife however, including endangered species, as a recent study … [Read more...] about Video camera study reveals rare birds in ruru diet

Would summer eradication of rodents work for Auckland Island?

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Approximately one-third of New Zealand’s islands are now free of all invasive mammals. Could Auckland Island be next? Predator control and eradication operations are often carried out in winter – when predators are hungry and uptake of bait likely to be greater. But when it comes to … [Read more...] about Would summer eradication of rodents work for Auckland Island?

DOC and volunteers count kiwi on Tiritiri Matangi

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The little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) was probably the most common kiwi species in Aotearoa/New Zealand in the mid-1800s. Now it's our second rarest kiwi of the 5 kiwi species. Numbers plummeted last century and it had almost disappeared from the mainland by the mid-1900s. Then 5 birds were … [Read more...] about DOC and volunteers count kiwi on Tiritiri Matangi

Citizen science monitoring method outlined and tested

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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

Study seeks future homes for kakapo

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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