Kaitiakitanga

What does "Introduced Species" mean?

An introduced species is a species of animal that was not already here when the Europeans came to New Zealand.

Why were they brought to NZ?

Some were brought accidentally, some were brought on purpose to bring a bit of home with them.

Why have their numbers exploded?

As soon as they saw that they had no predators and plenty of food, they bred and soon the country was full of them.

What effect do they have on our native plants and animals? 

Some eat our animals, some eat their eggs, some destroy our plants, some have no effect at all on our forests and animals.

How is the DOC (Department of Conservation) trying to get rid of them?

They have attempted using 10-80.

How are stoats and weasels affecting our native things?

They are eating the eggs of our native birds.

What control methods are being used?

10-80 and possum traps.

Are those methods any success?

Yes.

Study: Mokohinau Stag Beetle

The Mokohinau Stag Beetle is a large wingless beetle living on Lizard Island in the Mokohinau Islands off the coast of Auckland. They live in a patch of vegetation about the size of a living room. They are extremely close to extinction.

Their cause of extinction are storms and forest fires. Only nine have been seen at the same time.

People have driven out rats from the island. This has had no effect.

SAVING THE WHALES

Here I will be demonstrating how we can save Orca whales.These creatures are rare to see in the wild and are extremely endangered due to their favourite food becoming endangered because of humans making dams that cover up their spawning grounds. Whale watching is also having a crucial effect on their hunting ability. The boats getting too close causes the whales to have to move out and reduces their echolocation when hunting.

The governments of different countries are trying their best to help restore the numbers of the Chinook Salmon, the Orca's main food source and banning boats from getting too close to the whales. These are not having much effect.

SAVING YELLOW-EYED PENGUINS

Here I will be demonstrating how we can save Yellow-Eyed Penguins.
Introduced predators and habitat loss are the main causes of this penguin's slow demise. The New Zealand government are trying their best to get rid of these predators and are somewhat succeeding.