Today, is Earth Day! Traditionally, Māori believe in whakapapa, which means genealogy. Whakapapa chronicles evolution from the beginning of time, and explains people’s connection to each other, the natural and the spiritual world. Every being is dependent on Earth; for oxygen, for energy, for heat, for resources such as fresh water and food, for connection …
Were it not for the dedication of entities like Penguin Place – conservation reserve, Forest & Bird – who own Te Rere Reserve, the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and the Department of Conservation, there is a high probability that yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho would be extinct on mainland Aotearoa now. Read on to learn what Jason from Penguin …
Yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho are notoriously shy and anti-social. It is a wonder how someone managed to get one to pose long enough for their portrait on the NZD5! Hoiho prefer to build their nests away from other penguins and demonstrate sexual equality by mum and dad taking turns to incubate the egg for six weeks. Thereafter, …
Jason van Zanten has been the official Manager at Penguin Place – conservation reserve and the unofficial psychologist for birds for about four years. I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jason about the essential mahi they do at Penguin Place. Q. For someone who would like to work with indigenous species like yellow eyed …
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Penguin Place – conservation reserve Manager Jason van Zanten, who is knowledgeable, passionate, and dedicated to yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho conservation; and not just because hoiho are “noise shouters”, and their striking yellow eyes and headband command your attention, but because like Howard McGrouther had in 1985, Jason recognises how …
Penguin Place – conservation reserve is a private conservation reserve on the beautiful Otago Peninsula that was founded in 1985, to help protect the critically-endangered yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho (Megadyptes antipodes). In the 1960’s, Percy McGrouther purchased the property to farm sheep with his two sons Howard and Jim. After Percy semi-retired, Howard took over operations and …
The 14th – 23rd of April is the Wild Dunedin Festival in Ōtepoti Dunedin! It is all about acknowledging, celebrating, and raising awareness of the wild and wonderful creatures we are privileged enough to share our backyard with. This magnetic, inclusive festival came together in 2016, when Neil Harraway – co-owner of Monarch Wildlife Cruises …
Please drive along coastal roads slowly and be vigilant. Unfortunately, endangered species New Zealand sea lions/pakake never learned the road code. Unlike domesticated wildlife, who will move out of the way of vehicles, sea lions do not understand the threats that vehicles pose them and will take their time crossing the road to get to …