Meet Harry… A New Zealand fur seal/kekeno juvenile. He is a local of Dunedin/Ōtepoti, a fur-iendly face on the Clearwater Wildlife Tours, and Harry Styles is his namesake. While their similarities include both being showmen, photogenic, and having doe eyes; I’m not suggesting that Harry Styles is cuter than Harry the fur seal. Fur seals are endemic …
Between 2012 – 2022, there has been a steady increase in youth aged 15 – 24 and adults being diagnosed with depression in Aotearoa New Zealand. In 2022/23, 565 individuals died by suicide. It’s time to share and to listen. Outwardly, I’ve learned to mask it, and internalise my struggles and sadness. Inwardly, my mind …
Standing on the crest of a hill, bathed in golden rays, a yellow-eyed penguin searched for their mate, and called – loudly. Hence their te reo Māori name ‘Hoiho’, which means ‘noise shouter’. Yellow-eyed penguins are endemic to New Zealand, and are considered to be the rarest penguin in the world, with a total of …
Like humans, New Zealand sea lion/pakake individuals exhibit different personalities and behavioural traits. Some sea lion individuals are more curious and energetic (typical among juveniles), while others are more placid and nonchalant (typical among mature adults). When out doing sea lion monitoring, I see some individuals often, because they have favourite hang out spots. This …