Adult Takahe
The highlight for many on the day was to meet on the walking track a Tahahae family feeding. This flightless bird was thought to be extinct at the end of the 19th century. It was ‘rediscovered’ by tramper/hunter in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. A captive breeding program at Burwood Bush Reserve near Lake Te Anau has been operating since 1985 in an attempt to boost numbers. Birds are also kept on reserve islands such as Maud as insurance against possible future extinction.
Yaaah! This weta only looks scarey, the worst it can give is a nip.
The Giant Cook Strait Weta also finds a safe home at Maud Island. Giant weta are thought to be extinct on the mainland were they are preadated by cats and rodents.
There are around 100 species of weta and although they appear rather scary they are none the less inspiring creatures. Weta are ancient, changing very little from their ancestors 190 million years ago. Fortunately these flightless large insects are vegetarian. They are nocturnal, living in tree crevices by day and roaming the tree tops by night.
Close up of the Cook Strait Giant Weta
Leigh a ranger for the Department of Conservation
Department of Conservation officers Leigh, Richard and family are the resident caretakers of the Island. They gave us a warm welcome and shared their considerable knowledge of the island’s history and it’s wildlife. A well prepared briefing before exploring the Island prepared us for the things we might see and hear and helped us fully appreciate the special value of this environment.
Visitors can study wildlife briefly before they are released again.
Visitors were surprised to be viewing the Island’s shyer inhabitants close up. Some forest creatures which are normally tucked away under rocks and leaves by day were caught by the Leigh and Richard’s children. After careful inspection the creatures were returned to their natural environment.
Common Gecko.
Released common gecko
It is not well known that there is a great diversity of lizard fauna in New Zealand, more diverse than it’s land bird life. They are now understood to have been major pollinators of plants such as flax and pohutakawa. Pictured above are grey-brown geckos appearing like little dinosaurs, not surprising as they are thought to have been in New Zealand 25 million years ago. All New Zealand Lizards are protected by law.
- The rare Maud Island frog
It was a great treat to have the opportunity to see the rare Maud Island frog close up. A forest remnant is home to an estimated 20,000 frogs, the entire population of this species in the world.
Mother and chick Takahe feeding
A curious Takahe Chick
Everyone enjoyed the experience of meeting this family of Takahe while walking the Island. The chick like any young animal was curious of our presence. Taking little heed of it’s parents throbbing calls of caution when it ventured close.
A shell of an infertile Takahe egg
Kakapo feathers have a distinctive musty odour.
Maud Island was previously one of the havens for the rare flightless nocturnal Kakapo.
Bell Birds were heard bantering in the trees. Click below to hear the Bellbird's song.
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DOC ranger Richard and visitors at the WWII historic gun emplacement.
A warm farewell to visitors from the resident family.
A fur seal rolls lazily in the sea.
A wonderful day. Thank you to all who have worked so hard to preserve Maud Island wildlife so it can be shared by future generations. See below a great link: