| Conservation
Project
From
1st July 2003 we have been donating some of our revenue to help
fund our own conservation project. Our aim is to promote conservation
and reseach and to encourage clients to actively participate in
conservation projects. This is a long term project and further details
will be posted on this website as they are finalised.
One of
the key projects we are keen to assist with is the seach for the
South Island Kokako - the orange-wattled crow (Callaeas cinerea
cinerea).
You
can help by participating in one of our guided trips - either full
day or overnight trips.
"A
Mystery - The Search for the Orange-wattled Crow"
The Kokako
belongs to an endemic and ancient species of New Zealand birds that
has an almost haunting organ or flute like call. Not so long ago,
there were two subspecies: the North Island Kokako - the blue-wattled
crow and the South Island Kokako - the orange-wattled crow. Although
the North Island Kokako still exists today, albeit in low number,
the South Island Kokako has not been officially sited in recent
decades.
Rhys
Buckingham (a well-known New Zealand ornithologist) and others have
not given up their passionate and almost life-long search to find
the South Island Kokako. Recently, Rhys believes that they encountered
a South Island Kokako in the South Island and a tape recording was
made of the calls that were heard. We are hoping to assist Rhys
by providing funding for vital equipment and associated project
costs. If you would like more information or would like to help,
please contact us.
Image:
PUBL-0012-01 - John Gerrard Keulemans' Blue-wattled crow, Glaucopis
wilsoni. Orange-wattled crow, Glaucopis cinerea. This is published
as Plate I. 1888, in Walter Lawry Buller's book, A history of the
birds of New Zealand. 2d. ed. (Volume I. London, 1888).
"Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington,
New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image."
|