Tīeke population 'severely impacted' by stoats at pest-free Shakespear Regional Park
Kia ora neighbours. Rangers fear stoats at Shakespear Regional Park may have had a severe impact on the pest-free sanctuary’s tīeke population.
The park, on Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula, is a sanctuary that provides wildlife, such as little spotted kiwi, robins, whiteheads, and hihi (stitchbird), with a safe and pest-free habitat.
However, a stoat was detected in the sanctuary at the end of 2020. It later gave birth, and two of its kits – a male and a female – were caught in traps.
Then, in January, thermal camera imaging suggested there were still stoats in the sanctuary, including the mother.
On Thursday, the council’s senior ranger at the sanctuary, Matt Maitland, said three more stoats had been captured, including two males and a female. It's believed one more stoat remains at large.
The sanctuary’s tīeke (North Island saddleback) population has been “severely impacted” by the stoat outbreak, Maitland said.
“This is the most significant excursion to date.”
Click 'read more' for the full story.
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
What's On: Hatea U3A
Hatea U3A
- St John’s Golden Church
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
91.5% Yes
-
8.2% No
-
0.3% Other - I'll share below!
Loading…
