Ah, Man’s Best Friend… Many would agree that dogs are valued members of the family/whānau! New Zealand sea lions/pakake are behaviourally like dogs; however, unlike dogs, sea lions were once distributed across Aotearoa New Zealand pre-human colonisation. In late September 2024, an eight year old cow named ‘Jade’ and her pup were shot in the …
“Fear is a reaction. Courage is a decision.” – Winston Churchill I watch in mild trepidation as an endemic and classified ‘Endangered’ yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho pair explore alternative pathways up the steep hillside to their nests; then resort to weaving past an endemic and endangered New Zealand sea lion/pakake catching up on sleep, to their preferred …
I watch in awe as a group of endemic and classified ‘Endangered’ New Zealand sea lions/pakake playfight. They remind me of boxers, bouncing on their feet, dancing around their opponent. To humans, sea lion’s play appears aggressive, but it’s a give-and-take… Each bull strikes, propelling their neck forward and mouthing their opponents neck. Rarely drawing …
Natural disasters (severe rainfall, flooding, erosion, landslides) are occurring more frequently, in part as a result of climate change. Please protect you and your whānau by organising an Emergency Bag. Below are the items I recommend you prepare: – A Dry Pack to store items in. Try Kathmandu, MacPac or Mountain Warehouse. – A Survival …
Last week, Dunedin was visited by a juvenile male Weddell Seal. What a treat to see, and nearly as cute as our locals New Zealand sea lions/pakake! Biology: Weddell seals are true seals. Their bodies are long and rounded, their fur is mottled grey/brown, they have short fore-flippers, relatively small heads and internal ears. They are …
Another devastating and cowardly shooting of an endemic and classified ‘Endangered’ New Zealand sea lion/pakake. On Monday the 23rd, a nine-month old sea lion pup was shot and left to die a slow and painful death. In only February, this same pup was being celebrated, in part due to her mother Jade’s astonishing feat of …
Aotearoa Politicians and Councillors: have the courage and ban recreational cars on all beaches, to conserve ‘Clean and Green’ Aotearoa. Arguments For Restricting Cars on Beaches:– Endangers fellow beachgoers, especially children. – Kills humans, including Madison Marie Chamberlain who died in January 2024 in Muriwai. – Kills wildlife, including endemic and endangered species. – Decimates shellfish, …
Depression is a serious and complex illness. Depression is caused by prolonged stress, genetic vulnerability, and / or impacted brain function: in the Amygdala (associated with emotions), the Thalamus, and the Hippocampus (associated with processing long-term memory). It is not a choice. Depression, whether short-term or long-term, can be successfully managed with the guidance and …
What is Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium pinnipedii? Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infectious disease that affects the lungs and without treatment can be fatal. Mycobacterium pinnipedii causes TB in New Zealand sea lion/pakake adults (Phocarctos hookeri) and New Zealand fur seal/kekeno adults (Arctocephalus forsteri). How is Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium pinnipedii spread? The primary route of infection in sea lions and fur seals is inhalation. …
Tuberculosis: Mycobacterium pinnipedii – what you need to know… Read More »
“Did I hear you shout correctly?” “Yup, it’s Forest & Bird’s ‘Bird of the Year’ again!” Sorry I’m late to the party! My bird and I have been busy setting up our nest in preparation for laying our eggs in late September. At 65 cm, life isn’t easy for a penguin like me. Firstly, there …