Page updated: 10th July 2007

Contact Us: mail@ruggedyrange.com

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."