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Fenced enclosure to protect rare skinks

Fenced enclosure to protect rare skinks

A new fenced enclosure is being built on the West Coast, aiming to protect the world's last known population of 30 critically endangered Alborn skinks.
A recent survey of skink numbers shows the work is urgent and the fence, near Reefton, will be built earlier than planned to ensure the species' survival.
Protecting a 5ha area, the fence will be constructed from a durable stainless steel mesh specially designed to keep mice, rats and stoats out.
Department of Conservation (Doc) ranger supervisor Gemma Hunt said the fence would hopefully stop the population's decline.
"Even though we reduced mouse numbers earlier this year through pest control, there has been a constant threat of mice reinvading from outside the treatment area and continuing to prey on the skinks," she said.
"Long-term population monitoring by Doc and Auckland Zoo indicated there were between 40 and 100 skinks early last year, but more recent estimates suggest a worryingly low number of just 30.
"We hope to find more skinks when we continue our surveys this spring but in the meantime a predator-proof fence is necessary to secure the population and prevent extinction.
"Following the pest control operation earlier this year, we decided to move some skinks to safe housing at Auckland Zoo as a precaution," Ms Hunt said.
Doc and zoo staff managed to find three skinks in late autumn before cooler temperatures prevented further collection and these were transferred to the zoo.
"When it's cold, the skinks burrow into the ground to protect themselves from extreme low temperatures and move very little. This not only makes it harder for us to find them but makes them easy prey for mice, who can access these same burrows," she said.
"New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world, with 4000 species, including the Alborn skink, at risk of extinction. Once these species are gone from here, they are gone for good."
Other populations such as Kapitia skinks were doing well in the fenced enclosures Doc had built, she said.
It is believed two or three baby skinks are born to females each year so, if those families can be protected from predators, their numbers will steadily grow.
The Alborn skink was discovered in the 1990s and has been rarely detected since. Not much is known about them although they are extremely tolerant of moist habitat.
Ms Hunt said the aim was to complete the $700,000 fence by November.
"We're asking the public to support our work through donations to the New Zealand Nature Fund."— APL
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Fenced enclosure to protect rare skinks
Fenced enclosure to protect rare skinks

Otago Daily Times

time6 days ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Fenced enclosure to protect rare skinks

A new fenced enclosure is being built on the West Coast, aiming to protect the world's last known population of 30 critically endangered Alborn skinks. A recent survey of skink numbers shows the work is urgent and the fence, near Reefton, will be built earlier than planned to ensure the species' survival. Protecting a 5ha area, the fence will be constructed from a durable stainless steel mesh specially designed to keep mice, rats and stoats out. Department of Conservation (Doc) ranger supervisor Gemma Hunt said the fence would hopefully stop the population's decline. "Even though we reduced mouse numbers earlier this year through pest control, there has been a constant threat of mice reinvading from outside the treatment area and continuing to prey on the skinks," she said. "Long-term population monitoring by Doc and Auckland Zoo indicated there were between 40 and 100 skinks early last year, but more recent estimates suggest a worryingly low number of just 30. "We hope to find more skinks when we continue our surveys this spring but in the meantime a predator-proof fence is necessary to secure the population and prevent extinction. "Following the pest control operation earlier this year, we decided to move some skinks to safe housing at Auckland Zoo as a precaution," Ms Hunt said. Doc and zoo staff managed to find three skinks in late autumn before cooler temperatures prevented further collection and these were transferred to the zoo. "When it's cold, the skinks burrow into the ground to protect themselves from extreme low temperatures and move very little. This not only makes it harder for us to find them but makes them easy prey for mice, who can access these same burrows," she said. "New Zealand has one of the highest rates of threatened species in the world, with 4000 species, including the Alborn skink, at risk of extinction. Once these species are gone from here, they are gone for good." Other populations such as Kapitia skinks were doing well in the fenced enclosures Doc had built, she said. It is believed two or three baby skinks are born to females each year so, if those families can be protected from predators, their numbers will steadily grow. The Alborn skink was discovered in the 1990s and has been rarely detected since. Not much is known about them although they are extremely tolerant of moist habitat. Ms Hunt said the aim was to complete the $700,000 fence by November. "We're asking the public to support our work through donations to the New Zealand Nature Fund."— APL

Iwi-led team discover invasive sea spurge at Spirits Bay, threatening native plants
Iwi-led team discover invasive sea spurge at Spirits Bay, threatening native plants

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  • NZ Herald

Iwi-led team discover invasive sea spurge at Spirits Bay, threatening native plants

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Little spotted kiwi found on New Zealand's mainland for first time in 50 years
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RNZ News

time15-07-2025

  • RNZ News

Little spotted kiwi found on New Zealand's mainland for first time in 50 years

A female kiwi pukupuku found in the Adams Wilderness Area, the first in nearly 50 years. Photo: Lucy Holyoake/DOC Conservationists are delighted after a unique kiwi was rediscovered in Aotearoa for the first time in 50 years. The little spotted kiwi, or kiwi pukupuku, was first spotted in the remote Adams Wilderness Area in the West Coast by a Department of Conservation (DOC) hunter. It prompted DOC biodiversity ranger Iain Graham, alongside his conservation dog Brew, to fly in to locate the bird. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. He said the trip was a bit of rollercoaster. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he said. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the small spotted kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku, the smallest kiwi species. A little spotted kiwi, or kiwi pukupuku. Photo: Tom Lynch Kiwi pukupuku are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators. Until now, it was believed they only survived in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites. An estimated 2000 of the threatened birds remain, though the population is increasing thanks to the conservation efforts of community groups, agencies, and tangata whenua, DOC said. Despite years of searching, the last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world," Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said. Kara Edwards, of Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, said the find was an opportunity for hapū to connect with what had been considered a lost taonga. "Knowing kiwi pukupuku have survived this whole time in our takiwā is incredible. We are extremely excited and looking forward to working with DOC to secure the future of kiwi pukupuku." Since the sighting, Graham and Brew have returned to the area and captured a male kiwi. "We'll wait for genetic analysis to confirm, but the measurements look right for a kiwi pukupuku," Graham said. DOC is gathering information to work with Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio to explore the future protection and management of these birds. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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