Category: Environment

Auto Added by WPeMatico

Posted on

Help the whales by staying home

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  24 November 2024

DOC staff and Project Jonah are on site, and there is some concern that the pilot whales will re-strand themselves. DOC staff and Project Jonah are monitoring the situation and staying vigilant for further possible strandings.

Ranger Supervisor Kallen Mehrtens is onsite at the beach, and has asked that people stay home. “We have plenty of help, it is best if people stay away to ease the congestion at the beach, and if people aren’t directly involved with helping the whales, we ask you please go home.”

Up to 40 pilot whales were stranded on Ruakaka Beach, but most of them have refloated and swum out to sea

Background information

New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of whale strandings and is recognised as a world leader in successful whale rescues.  Much of this success is thanks to DOC and Project Jonah working together, as well as the important support of iwi, local communities and other marine mammal rescue groups and volunteers.

DOC is responsible for managing rescues of stranded whales and dolphins but makes decisions on the direction of the rescue response in consultation with manawhenua iwi, Project Jonah and other marine mammal rescue groups when they are involved.

DOC appreciates the assistance and support of Project Jonah in working with DOC staff to rescue stranded whales and dolphins. Project Jonah marine mammal medics can play a key role in rescues of stranded marine mammals. Those with considerable experience, in particular, can valuably assist DOC staff in the response and management of whale strandings.

Project Jonah’s ability to mobilise large numbers of its marine mammal medics for mass whale and dolphin stranding rescues greatly assists DOC with managing such events.

DOC encourages people wanting to be involved in rescues of stranded marine mammals to attend a Project Jonah Marine Mammal Medic course. Medics who complete this course will be well equipped in rescuing stranded whales and dolphins and can act as a role model to untrained rescuers. Knowing the rescue process, including health and safety risks, enables the process to run more safely and smoothly.

DOC also appreciates other logistical assistance Project Jonah medics can provide at stranding events, including taking on tasks such as providing safety briefings to volunteers or managing traffic and car parking.

Marine mammal strandings in New Zealand

Whales and dolphin strandings have been occurring for millennia and are a natural phenomenon.

New Zealand is a hotspot for marine mammal strandings with most involving just one or two animals.

DOC responds to an average 85 marine mammal stranding incidents a year, mostly of single animals.

The marine mammals that most commonly strand are dolphins, pygmy sperm whales and beaked whales. Most mass strandings are of long-finned pilot whales. Large whales such as sperm whales also occasionally strand. 

Mass strandings can involve a few to hundreds of animals.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

Posted on

15 popular DOC huts now bookable

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  22 November 2024

The huts are in Nelson Lakes and Arthur’s Pass national parks, with an additional hut in Whanganui. All 15 are Serviced Huts under DOC’s hut categories.

“We’re asking customers to book these huts online before their trip,” says DOC Visitor Advice Manager Lynnell Greer.

“Huts previously covered by the Backcountry Hut Pass continue to be covered.”  

DOC manages a network of over 950 huts around New Zealand for trampers and others seeking to overnight in the great outdoors.

These come in a range of standards from basic bivvies to serviced says Lynnell Greer.

 “Most huts are available on a first come first served basis but around 55 (including these newly added huts) must be booked in advance.”

“Bookable huts help us manage our very popular or over-subscribed facilities. They provide certainty to families and less experienced visitors, and support the payment of hut fees so these facilities can continue into the future.” 

There are several things DOC looks at when considering whether to add a hut to the booking system:

  • Is the hut high-use or experiencing overcrowding regularly?
  • Is it used by less experienced or first-time trampers?
  • Is it popular with families?
  • Is it close to larger urban centres?
  • Is it vehicle accessible or close to a road end?

DOC recognises it’s important to offer a good mix of bookable and non-bookable facilities to cater to a wide range of outdoor recreationists, says Lynnell Greer.

“Bookable huts still give people flexibility to adjust bookings if needed (for example. due to weather). It’s important for all hut users to assess conditions before deciding whether it’s safe to go, even if people have made a booking.

“All DOC huts continue to be available as emergency shelter.”

Newly bookable huts:

Whanganui

  • Downes Hut, *

Canterbury

  • Hamilton Hut*
  • Hope Kiwi Hut*
  • Ada Pass Hut
  • Anne Hut*
  • Boyle Flat Hut*
  • Cannibal Gorge Hut
  • Christopher Hut

Nelson Lakes

  • Blue Lake Hut*
  • John Tait Hut*
  • Lakehead Hut*
  • Sabine Hut
  • Speargrass Hut
  • Upper Travers Hut*
  • West Sabine Hut*

* On Te Araroa Trail

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

Posted on

West Coasters urged to have their say about conservation in Te Tai Poutini West Coast

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  22 November 2024

The Department of Conservation (DOC), Poutini Ngāi Tahu and the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board are inviting the public to take part in the survey, which opened in October and has so far received 258 responses.

Anyone who wants to take part can find it on the DOC website. Its due to close on Monday 16 December.

Up till the 18 November, 34% of survey responses were from the West Coast. Of the rest, 52% were from other parts of the South Island and 14% were from the North Island.

The survey is the first step in informing how public conservation lands and waters on Te Tai Poutini West Coast should be managed for the next decade and beyond.

Rob Wilson, (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe – Ngāti Māhaki) South Westland dairy farmer and Conservation Board member says 84 percent of Te Tai Poutini is public conservation land, so the CMS will play a significant role in shaping the regions future.

“We’re surrounded by public conservation land here in South Westland. Concession holders, farmers, and whitebaiters will all be affected by the new CMS, and changes could be made without their input unless they have their say.

“Coasters, there is less than a month to have our say on this. So try and do the survey before the 16 December.”

Owen Kilgour, Western South Island Operations Director says people’s views are important, “We want to make sure we are hearing from the community about the places and activities important to them and how they think the whenua should be managed in future.”

“Some of the topics raised so far are maintaining the natural state of the coast, maintaining tracks and huts, access for hunters and other activities like kayaking and commercial activity.

“We’ll put a summary on the website once we have analysed all the results so the public can see what we have learned.”

The feedback gathered through the survey and at community events in November will inform DOC about current issues and challenges, and appetite for change, which will be used for writing the draft plan.

There will be further opportunities for public input when the draft plan is released for formal submissions before being finalised.

Background information

The work to write a new CMS is happening in tandem with consultation on proposals which seek to modernise the concessions and planning system to make it more efficient and responsive.

The views of the community are important in any planning framework, and regardless of the outcome of the consultation, the responses from the survey will be used to inform DOC’s management approach on the West Coast.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

Posted on

How do I get there? Check out the updated Public Access to Recreation Map

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council




How do I get there? Check out the updated Public Access to Recreation Map | Environment Canterbury















Date:

Find out more about where you’re headed

  • You can search for a specific spot or discover new sites by zooming in and out and dragging the map across different areas.
  • All the spots displayed are accessible to the public without the need for the landowner’s permission.
  • You can also find more about a site’s accessibility (e.g. vehicle or pedestrian), terrain and any obstacles present; public facilities such as toilets, boat ramps or play equipment; key features; links to summer recreation water quality results (where available); and a photo of the location. 

Public access to recreation map

Responsibility, respect and safety outdoors 

We are committed to providing this information in the context of responsible use and behaviour in the outdoors. 

The Walking Access Commission provides a checklist of access rights and responsibilities, which covers topics such as dogs, vehicles, fire risk, caring for the environment and Māori land. 

Broadly, it is about being responsible through:

  • taking responsibility for your actions
  • following any advice or guidance offered
  • being considerate and respecting the interests of other people
  • caring for the environment
  • seeking permission for access to private or Māori land
  • earning and respecting the tikanga Māori so that behaviour does not cause cultural offence
  • getting the correct permits for hunting and fishing.

There is also useful information on the Department of Conservation’s website on:

More information 

If you have questions about the map or would like to provide feedback, please contact us via advisory services or call 0800 324 636.

Environment Canterbury © 2024
Retrieved: 10:14am, Fri 22 Nov 2024
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/how-do-i-get-there-check-out-the-updated-public-access-to-recreation-map/

Posted on

Kaikōura committee looks to local leaders for inspiration

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

The trial draws on findings from a four-year NIWA study that show artificial wetlands to be effective for removing contaminants, like nitrogen, sediment and phosphorus, from freshwater.

The selection of a pilot site for this project involved several factors. The final choice was based on replicability, cost-effective construction and maintenance, and favourable soil conditions.

Wetland design and construction

The design and construction of the wetland features a snake like pattern of raised land that guides draining water through the system slowly, allowing for maximum filtration. In addition, the site is home to 4,800 native riparian plantings with more still to come.

Committee members at the Delany Wetland site

A 1.6-hectare section of retired pasture at Jerseyland Dairies in Culverden was ultimately chosen, in collaboration with landowners Tim and Jo Delany, who are strong advocates for biodiversity. The site’s peaty soil layer over a clay base provides optimal conditions, slowing drainage to ensure water remains in the wetland long enough for effective treatment.

According to historical survey maps dating back to the 1860s, it is likely that the site was also once part of a natural wetland drained for agriculture in the early 20th century.

To test how well the Delany Wetland is filtering out contaminants, the team is sampling and testing water from five sites across the wetland each month. August 2024 marked the first round of sampling, and thus far, the results are promising.

Community benefits

Outcomes of this constructed wetland trial will allow community-led groups, like water zone committees, landowners and industry to better understand if replicating and implementing constructed wetlands more widely could address water quality issues.

Learn more

Waiau Uwha riparian and mahinga kai restoration project

Local landowner and dairy farmer, John Faulkner, invited the committee to the site of his riparian restoration and weed eradication programme, which spans 2.5 hectares of boundary land on the edge of the Waiau Uwha river.

The Waiau Uwha is an important braided river system in Waitaha/Canterbury that provides habitat for a variety of native fish and bird species.

Goals of the project

Among the key native birds that Faulkner is keen to protect are the nationally threatened New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu pukunui and ngutu pare/wrybill, both shorebird species vulnerable to habitat loss from human activity.

With support from Ministry of Primary Industries’ One Billion Trees Fund, Faulkner enlisted Native Plant Specialist, Sue McGaw, to plan the installation of 9,500 indigenous plants. There are 64 species of plants that have been placed in specific groupings called biodiversity nodes, collections of species that are often found in nature together.

John Faulkner talking about the biodiversity project

Indigenous planting initiative

In the same area, to honour the memory of a dear friend, Faulkner is working with guidance from Northern Pou Mātai Kō/Cultural Land Management Advisor Makarini Rupene to establish a site based on contemporary nohoanga values beside the Waiau Uwha river. The site’s purpose to enhance local access to traditional mahinga kai activities. Nohoanga refers to the seasonal occupation of sites that Ngāi Tahu whānui utilised as they travelled Te Waipounamu/The South Island to gather kai and other natural resources.

Faulkner’s ambitious vision, in partnership with a network of adjacent landowners, is to restore an 18 km stretch of river that leads to Waiau township. This project would create a biodiversity corridor of Indigenous fauna to keep pest plants and predators at bay and increase the biodiversity and mahinga kai values of the area.

About the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee

The Kaikōura Water Zone Committee is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury, Kaikōura District Council, Rūnanga and members of the local community.

“This field trip was a great opportunity for our committee to meet and network with others, and to draw inspiration from catchments that are working at the local level to tackle tricky issues when it comes to water management and biodiversity,” says Jodie Hoggard, facilitator of the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee.

“It’s inspiring to see the mahi that landowners are driving to achieve better outcomes for the environment. I know the committee really valued the day, appreciated the networking opportunity and are excited to discuss how we can support similar projects in our patch.”

We allocate funding annually for water zone committees to recommend support for community-led projects that aim to improve the environment and help meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.

Each committee outlines its steps for meeting these targets in an Action Plan for 2021-2024.

Posted on

Fund supports community groups to better our environment

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

Date:

In its fourth year, the Waitaha Action to Impact Fund (WAI Fund) will support 24 community-led projects across Waitaha in 2024.

  • In 2024, we received 78 applications for our fund, totalling $1.6m, which far exceeded the funds available ($300,000).
  • The contestable fund aims to build community engagement and action for a better environment in the takiwā/region.
  • The successful applicants will be working on all sorts of exciting projects, from biodiversity, education and pest management to water quality management, trapping and planting.

Examples of successful applicants

Wairewa Rūnanga Incorporated

Wairewa Rūnanga Incorporated were awarded $15,000 for their Wairewa Mahinga Kai Catchment Group water quality monitoring plan project.

Project purpose: Surface water quality monitoring for three years at six sites across Te Roto o Wairewa catchment to inform future on-ground interventions. The purpose of the monitoring plan is to collect additional data to that of regional and city councils to help determine what parts of the catchment might be contributing known contaminants (phosphorus, sediment and E. coli), resulting in a more focused mitigation approach.

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group were awarded $20,000 for their ARRG Field Operations project.

Project purpose: Supporting the volunteers (with paid staff) to protect the endangered bird populations on the Ashley Rakahuri River.

Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group (Incorporated)

Upper Rangitata Gorge Landcare Group (Incorporated) were awarded $15,000 for weed control in the Upper Rangitata Riverbed and its tributaries.

Project purpose: Control of invasive weeds such as broom, gorse, willow, false tamarisk, lupins and any new weeds encountered. This will reduce cover for predators that prey on the endangered migratory birds that nest in the riverbed.

Satisfy Food Rescue

Satisfy Food Rescue were awarded $15,000 for their project to reduce food waste, respond to climate change and help to make our community more food secure.

Project purpose: Satisfy Food Rescue redirects edible surplus food that was destined for landfill or animal feed, to where it is needed most in our community. This means collecting surplus food from supermarkets, growers, wholesalers and cafes and redistributing it to food banks, community meal providers and schools.

Christchurch Envirohub Trust

Christchurch Envirohub Trust were provided with two lots of funding for two separate projects.

Project purpose:

Project one: The first was $8,000 for their Te Tuna Tāone / Urban Eel – action learning programme. The Te Tuna Tāone ākonga/students take on-the-ground actions to improve the health of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem for urban longfin tuna in their catchment. Their mahi aims to mitigate the impact of climatic changes on longfin tuna, within their community.

Project two: The second was $20,000 for their capacity building in the local environmental sector and provision of public-facing digital and physical resources. Workshops, events and digital and in-person resources will be provided to enhance the capacity and capability of the local environmental sector and help activate more members of the community to be involved in grassroots solutions to environmental opportunities and challenges.

About the WAI Fund

  • The WAI Fund was established in 2021 and has provided around $1.5m to community groups in that time.
  • All applications were assessed against criteria and all successful recipients must provide a minimum of 30 per cent of the total project budget; this may come from funding or equivalent in-kind contributions, such as volunteer hours.

Find out more about the

Waitaha Action to Impact Fund and see a full list and details about each of the successful applicants.

Posted on

Ducktales Episode 3: That’s a rubber-ducky, you goose! | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

Perhaps you know your Daffy from your Donald, your Huey from your Louie and Dewey, but do you really know your ducks?

Communications and Media Advisor Krysia Nowak takes a duck-dive into the shallows for a quick wade around the ducks of Aotearoa. Missed the previous episodes? Check them out here:

Ducktales Episode 1: Quacking the case on mallards and grey ducks

Ducktales Episode 2: The Teal Deal

First, I have a confession to make, I left our poor wee pāpango scaup out of Episode 2 – The Teal Deal because I had never heard its less common name ‘black teal’. Never fear, now is their time to shine…

Pāpango/New Zealand scaup

I’m sure you’ve seen this one. Paint it yellow and it could be a rubber-ducky for your bath, this little cutie is the endemic pāpango, or New Zealand scaup.

You’ll see flocks bobbing along lakeshores and river mouths across much of Aotearoa, but while they may look buoyant, they are accomplished divers that can remain underwater for long periods of time, searching for treats like snails and insect larvae at depths of up to 3 metres.

Males are glossy black – hence the descriptive Māori name pāpango – and have bright yellow eyes. The females are less showy, as is often the case in the bird-world, with brown feathers and tan eyes.

Male scaup/pāpango – Paul Jansen/DOC

Look closely at ‘sleepy looking’ pāpango, there’s likely to be a beady eye following you, even as the bird floats around in circles.

Pāpango aren’t considered threatened, but it’s always a good idea to be decent to ducks (see how at the end of the article).

Pūtangitangi/Paradise shelduck

The mournful cry of this bird inspired its Māori name – pūtangitangi. You might also know it as a ‘parry’, short for paradise shelduck – a bird found only in New Zealand.

One of only a few native birds that have benefited from land-clearing and agriculture, pūtangitangi are not threatened, and they’re a great one to spot on a road trip! Watch paddocks and fields for the distinctive pairs feeding on grasses and clover, females with white heads and males with black heads.

Paradise shelduck/pūtangitangi pair – Bernard Spragg (public domain)

Some pairs mate for life, but are regularly challenged by singles, and they do meet others at the annual communal moult (party time!).

Belonging to a group of ‘goose-like ducks’, these distinguished looking manu/birds formed an important food source for Māori and are still a gamebird today. Adult pūtangitangi are absolutely distinct from other ducks – but the ducklings are frequently confused with the ducklings of the rarer whio. Here’s a quick guide so you don’t duck it up:

Paradise shelducklings – Michael Welsh CC 3.0
Whio duckling – Tara Swan/Pukaha

Paradise shelducklings look like they’re wearing brown/black helmets, while whio ducklings appear to be wearing wee masks over their eyes like teenage mutant ninja turtles.

Whio/blue duck

I have another confession: I know too much about whio. While I’ve been learning new things about our other ducks writing this series, I have spent quite a bit of time around whio here in Tūrangi. So, cliffhanger – whio are going to get a Ducktales post all of their own. See you soon for the final, final Ducktales, Episode 4!

Be decent to ducks

Be a responsible cat owner, by:

  • Desexing and microchipping your cat
  • Keeping your cat indoors or contained inside a ‘catio’, especially at night
  • Putting your cat in a cattery when you go on holiday
  • Never taking them onto public conservation land.

Be a responsible dog owner

Please don’t feed ducks, feeding wild birds can:

  • Make them sick or make them starve because they are eating the wrong things
  • Make them gather in higher than usual numbers, spreading disease (we’re especially wary of this with H5N1 avian influenza spreading overseas)
  • Increase their numbers at a cost to other species (e.g. mallards outcompeting pāteke on Aotea/Great Barrier Island)
  • Increase risks to human health by increasing the concentration of bird faecal matter

Trap introduced predators at home or in your community

Posted on

Duntroon turns the dial on water quality with destination wetland

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council




Duntroon turns the dial on water quality with destination wetland | Environment Canterbury















Date:

Funding helps put wetland on the map

This year the Duntroon and District Development Association was allocated funding by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Water Zone Committee to support the maintenance of the Duntroon Wetland walkway.

This will ensure the walkway will remain accessible to foot traffic and wheelchairs, allowing visitors to relax away from the cyclists who traverse the wetland.

The wetland was created by the Duntroon and District Development Association, and all the work completed by volunteers, with contractors undertaking willow removal. The wetland contains a significant springhead, that is now protected and is popular with many visitors including Alps2Ocean cyclists. The funding will benefit all visitors and will also free up two volunteers to do other work in the wetlands.

Duntroon Wetlands with Mount Domett in the distance

“We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received. It has paid dividends in what we’ve been able to achieve,” Karan said.

“It’s not only about the number of people that are now able to enjoy this beautiful space, but it’s also about the wider environmental benefits for our catchment.”

Wetland regeneration supports catchment water quality

Duntroon Wetland is much more than a leisurely stroll, Karan said.

“It forms an important connection between our land and water, and it supports the plant and bird life, as well as water quality. Wetlands clean the water that flows into them by capturing contaminants like sediment and filtering out the nutrients.

“Duntroon Wetland is an asset for our village.”

The wetland walkway has been designed to be wheelchair accessible, with sections of boardwalk to enable visitors to negotiate the pathways in all weather.

“We’re very fortunate in that we’ve had a group of people who have connected with this work, including neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling, and the Duntroon School,” Karen said.

Duntroon School and neighbouring landowners Geoff and Jan Keeling have been vital to progress on the wetland restoration

”The group have taken it on themselves to put in the time and dedication to get the wetland to where it is today, coming here on their days off for working bees,” Karan said.

“When you start a project, you wonder who is going to take it on and worry that enthusiasm will drop off. It’s so inspiring and reassuring to see new people come in and give a hand and our work in this space continues to build. It’s exciting what we’ve been able to achieve here for our small community.”  

Funding enables community groups to take action

This project was supported through the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s Action Plan funding for 2024.

Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.

Environment Canterbury © 2024
Retrieved: 3:05pm, Tue 19 Nov 2024
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2024/duntroon-turns-the-dial-on-water-quality-with-destination-wetland/

Posted on

Local eco-champions honoured at Waimakariri Environmental Awards

Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

After working as an ecologist for 40 years, Judith became the Chair of the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust (WBT) when it was formed in 2021. Judith organises workshops for landowners who want to increase biodiversity on their farms, runs talks about the importance of preserving the environment, and champions events to get locals out into the district.

Judith is a fundraising whizz and has helped secure over $65,000 for WBT since its inception. Her focus now is to build up capacity within the organisation, support staff and promote sound ecological principles in all WBT activities.

“I really appreciated being nominated because it was recognition of the work of all the people involved in setting up and running WBT,” Judith said. “I hope through winning this award people can see the positive side of biodiversity management in both the rural and urban parts of the district.”

Dr Judith Roper Lindsay, winner of the individual award

Miles has been a QEII National Trust representative for 23 years and has assisted numerous Canterbury landowners in protecting residual native forest, scrub, tussock grasslands, drylands, and wetlands.

He and his wife Gillian have carried out weed control work together as part of the QEII National Trust.

Miles became involved in the management of Matawai Park in Rangiora whilst Gillian focussed on district environmental advocacy.

Both have been active members of the Canterbury Botanical Society, a group that fosters appreciation and protection of native flora.

Miles and Gillian Giller, winners of the individual award

The main goal of ARRG is to protect the braided river birds that nest along the Ashley Rakahuri awa during spring and summer.

The group, consisting of over 60 active volunteers, sets traps to capture pests like rats and feral cats and monitor the nesting area.

They are constantly learning about threats to the birds, which not only include predators but also human disturbance as well.

Each year they complete a bird count along the awa – last year they found 777 nests – with this year’s count being the 25th since the group’s inception.

ARRG chairperson Sue Mardon said the group was “thrilled to be nominated and felt humbled and very grateful to win and have our year’s work recognised.”

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group, winner of the group award

Dan Cameron from Terra Centric identified an area with a significant kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish population around Bennetts Stream. To support biodiversity around the stream and improve mudfish habitat, he worked with 44 students from West Eyreton School to plant over 250 native seedlings.

The plants were grown by the students from seed in 2023. The students have since been working with Enviroschools facilitator Siobhan Culhane to learn more about the precious kōwaro and why it should be protected.

“This project took the learning out of the classroom, made it memorable, and inspired future action to protect this special area,” said teacher Michelle Orr. “The students have started growing the next lot of native seeds for future planting of the Bennetts Stream area.”

West Eyreton School, winner of the youth award

Nominees inspire judges

Carolyne Latham, chair of the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee, was delighted by the high calibre of nominees. “The second year of the Waimakariri Environmental Awards again drew a high calibre of individuals, groups, and projects, making it very difficult for the judging panel.

“The Zone Committee is delighted to be facilitating the awards in order to recognise those who are going the extra mile, and we hope that it gives inspiration to all our residents because every little bit counts.”

Chair of the Zone Committee Biodiversity Working Group, Martha Jolly, said, “the second round of these awards brought us some truly inspiring projects that increased indigenous biodiversity, improved the monitoring of water resources, protected braided rivers, and created sustainable recreation.

“Every single applicant deserves kudos. You are our champions!”

Posted on

Young fur seal makes surprise visit to gas platform

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  19 November 2024

The baby kekeno/NZ fur seal somehow smuggled its way into a supply basket delivered to the Taranaki offshore platform and was lifted 40 metres above the water before discovery.

The fur seal gets lowered 40 metres to the sea
Image: Supplied

The facility called the DOCHOT line (0800 362 468), while some of the workers shepherded the seal into their tearoom where it was safe from hazards.

For Hohepa Katipa-Nepia in the DOC call centre, it was one of the stranger enquiries he has dealt with.

“I got to work finding a DOC ranger to give advice on how to handle the situation,” Hohepa says.

“In the meantime, a worker from the platform stayed on the line, explained what they were doing, and gave details of their plan to return to the seal to the sea.”

That plan was simply to pop the seal into a crate and lower it to sea level, allowing the young animal to swim off.

“Once we tracked down a ranger to give the plan the okay, it all went off without a hitch.”

Hohepa says it was a great result all round.

“We get quite a few calls about seals in strange places. When it’s on a road we tell people to call 111 because it’s a driver safety issue. Police are best placed to deal with those before anyone gets hurt.

“In this case it was a wildlife emergency, so they did the right thing calling DOCHOT. Together we managed to see another wee seal happily returned to the sea.”

With fur seal and sea lion numbers gradually increasing around NZ, it is increasingly likely people will encounter them in coastal areas, and even some distance inland.

It is probable the seal crawled into the supply basket while it was in port.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz