World first: revival of the rat-specific toxin
A new breakthrough in predator control is on the horizon — a rat-specific toxin that leaves birds, pets, and livestock unharmed. Scientists worldwide have been…
Short-sighted surplus hunters: five fast facts about ferrets
With their black eye mask, ferrets might remind you of the Hamburglar. But instead of targeting hamburgers, they are adept hunters with a wide range…
Dogs, AI, heat-detecting drones: chasing the last possums on the Otago Peninsula
Not many people can say they routinely carry around a jar of possum poo, but Jonah Kitto-Verhoef does. It’s not just any jar — it’s…
Booming swamp ninjas: five facts about the elusive Australasian bittern
You might not know of matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern) – with fewer than 1,000 living in New Zealand, they’re rarer than whio or hoiho. This secretive…
It’s business time: stoat mating mania and what you can do about it
Spring has sprung and the stoat mating frenzy has begun. From the moment they open their eyes as babies, female stoats are almost certainly already…
Guardians of the Galaxiidae: protecting kōkopu eggs from rats
When it comes to introduced predators, we hear a lot about their impact on birds, bats and lizards. But New Zealand’s native fish are also…
From two-year gecko pregnancies to colour-changing birds: meet five remarkable Rakiura residents
With golden beaches and emerald forests, Rakiura (Stewart Island) has been called “a piece of the primeval world” and is home to many wildlife wonders.…
In a neighbourhood near you: fresh funding for grassroots trapping
A wave of community-led conservation is sweeping across New Zealand, powered by passion, dedication, and now, an exciting new round of funding. The Predator Free…
Catch me if you can: how can we better trap shy female stoats?
Current traps nab more male stoats than females, which is a big problem. Females are basically always pregnant, non-stop baby factories. Researchers say diving deep…
Taking flight: saving nature from the sky
Founded in true number 8 wire fashion, Envico Technologies began in an Auckland garage. Two clever mates used their expertise to turn drones into a…
Tropical getaways and getting cosy: what does wildlife do in winter?
Scarce food and cold temps mean winter can be tough for animals. From looking for love to international adventures, here are five fascinating ways wildlife…
A kiwi is a kiwi is a kiwi…or is it? 5 species of kiwi you never knew about
All kiwi are not the same. In fact, there are five distinct species of the cute guys, each with their unique quirks, characteristics… and threats.…
Free labour: how bird poo is helping replant our native forests
What if the solution to restore our native forests more effectively, efficiently, and cheaply has been flying around us all along? That’s the question being…
Sending up the bat signal: inside the world of bat monitoring
New Zealand’s pekapeka (bat) is about the size of an adult thumb. Virtually silent, except for occasional high-pitched squeaks, they emerge under the cover of…
Show me the money: a closer look at community conservation
Government agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded and cannot handle protecting nature alone. Thousands of community conservation groups and volunteers fill the gaps – but are…
