How much do you know about our wildlife?
How much do you know about our wildlife?
How much do you, the Wild Ways reader, know about our wildlife? Test yourself, so that you get it right when you show your visitors around Dunedin’s ecosanctuary.
Wild Ways
Getting back to nature
Getting back to nature
Orokonui Ecosanctuary recently opened a play area for visitors’ children. Claire Freeman reflects on the importance of play in a natural environment for children.
The many paths back to Eden
The many paths back to Eden
New Zealand now has a range of protected areas for indigenous wildlife and forest. Orokonui Ecosanctuary volunteer Alyth Grant reports on recent visits to several of them.
The science of Orokonui
The science of Orokonui
As wildlife has returned to Orokonui Ecosanctuary, the scientists have not been far behind, writes Kelvin Lloyd.
In their nature
In their nature
The efforts of volunteers from all spheres are acknowledged nationwide later this month. Here, a few of Orokonui Ecosantuary’s tell of the rewards of volunteering.
New hope in foster chicks
New hope in foster chicks
Orokonui’s popular takahe pair have made a remarkable contribution to the takahe recovery programme at the ecosanctuary and beyond, writes Eeva Kumpala.
A whisper of moths
A whisper of moths
Landcare Research ecologist Barbara Anderson has been working on a citizen science project, Ahi Pepe MothNet, with Orokonui Ecosanctuary and primary schools.
Keeping track of your tabby
Tracking your tabby
Is a domestic cat in danger when out hunting at night if there are possum and rat traps set in its home range?
Calls of the wild
Calls of the wild
Two years after the death of Emeritus Professor Ian Jamieson, postgraduate students Aishwarya Muralidhar and Luke Easton pay tribute by reporting on the continuation of his work at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
An orchid obsession
An orchid obsession
Marie Ballagh has developed a new passion since starting her volunteer work at Orokonui Ecosanctuary: the native orchids growing there.
Fungi fills the forest
Fungi fills the forest
Orokonui volunteer Maree Johnstone delights in the magic of curious and colourful fungi she finds while working in the bush.
Camaraderie of the trap setters
Camaraderie of the trap setters
Alyth Grant goes out with a trapping team to find out what is involved in the ongoing fight against predators at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
Preparing a classic kiwi meal
Preparing a classic kiwi meal
Wildlife management student Leon Berard reports on his work volunteering at Orokonui, when extra help was needed to care for juvenile kiwi.
Experience the natural world
Experience the natural world
Alyth Grant reflects on Orokonui Ecosanctuary as a place of experience and learning.
Orokonui graduates go wild
Orokonui graduates go wild
Kelly Gough describes the excitement of transferring the first group of juvenile Haast tokoeka from their temporary protected home in Orokonui Ecosanctuary's Kiwi Creche to a life in the wild.
The tale of a stoat
The tale of a stoat
Orokonui conservation manager Elton Smith tells the story of the 2015 battle against stoats at the ecosanctuary.
Nest best thing
Nest best thing
Alyth Grant recently visited Bush Haven, near Invercargill, a private aviary run by dedicated couple Russell and May Evans. In the past couple of years they have raised and forwarded to Orokonui Ecosanctuary four young kaka now living there in the wild.
Top results with tokoeka
Top results with tokoeka
The Orokonui Ecosanctuary kiwi creche is back in business. Four of the juvenile Haast tokoeka, which were temporarily removed after a stoat was observed in the ecosanctuary, are back and thriving. Alyth Grant heard their life story from DOC ranger Sian Bent.
Bird feeders were never like this
Bird feeders were never like this
Many people put food out for the birds in winter. But at Orokonui Ecosanctuary supplementary feeding is a more complex affair.
A great leap forward
A great leap forward
Before endangered species can be moved to a safe haven such as Orokonui Ecosanctuary, some serious science has to be carried out. Zoology student Luke Easton is involved in a project assessing the feasibility of moving Hochstetter's frogs to Orokonui.