The unique wildlife

Since NZ has only two native land mammals (both bat species),our wildlife sightings have been mostly of birds. But my, what a glorious assortment of birds, some flighted, some not. Some like the NZ Falcon, Kokako and Kiwi are endangered and are the intense focus of conservation efforts. Kiwis, for example have an extremely high mortality rate the first year. Only 5% of chicks will survive to adulthood. To increase their chances, wildlife experts take eggs from the wild, incubate them and hand rear them until they are big enough to be put into predator-proof enclosures. When they are of an adequate size to be released, they are taken back to their original home territory. It's been fascinating learning about the effort people have put into these restoration projects. Birds we have spotted in the wild include the Fantail, Tui, Kaka, NZ Falcon, Magpie,Harrier,Shag and our favorite, the Bellbird. "The melodious Bellbird, imitating small bells but with the most tuneable silver sound imaginable" said Joseph Banks (in 1770) a naturalist on Captain James Cook's first expedition to the South Seas.
In captivity, we have observed the Brown Kiwi(nocturnal), the Kokako (beautiful singing voice) and the ancient reptile, the Tuatara (evolved 220 million years ago). Along the coast, we've seen wild Hector's dolphins and the NZ fur seal. The flora is amazing here as well. Ancient trees such as the massive Kauri and Rimu are mixed in with native ferns. It is springtime and flowers of all colors are blooming. Here there are a collection of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. We are so humbled to be experiencing the beauty that is Aotearoa.