Day 26 (part 2): Blue Duck Station
Blue Duck Station’s, the private farm we are staying at, core values are all based on conservation of its endangered wildlife, improving the health of native bush and rivers, and preserving the history of the area. The Station is named after, and has the highest concentration of, the endangered whio (blue ducks) that are indigenous to and can only be found in NZ. They are one of the most endangered birds on the planet due non-native rodents including ferrets, stoats, and weasels. This area is also home to a recovering population of the North Island Brown Kiwi, an endangered flightless bird.
NZ’s native animals evolved during 80 million years of isolation without any mammalian predators. There is only 1 native mammal to these island, a flightless bat that scampered around on the forest floor. Home to the highest number of flightless bird species, there was no threat of danger for them on the ground. All predator and mammal species have been introduced by man and have been wrecking havoc ever since. For example, Europeans brought rabbits over for their hunting enjoyment, they did what rabbits do and became over populated, becoming a serious problem. Ferrets, stoats and weasels were released into the Wild to control the rabbit problem, despite the protests of bird experts. Flightless birds were easier to catch then rabbits and on and on the cycle goes.
Blue Duck Station is winning awards with their conservation efforts. It was an extraordinary opportunity to learn from and hang out with these eco-warriors.
