Tuatara transfer trebles mainland population
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| One of the transferred tuatara |
Around a hundred invited guests and some fantastic weather greeted
the Sanctuary’s newest arrivals on 19 October - 130 tuatara gifted
into our care by their kaitiaki (guardians) Ngati Koata.
In December 2005 the Sanctuary made conservation history when it became
home to the mainland’s first wild population of tuatara in over
200 years. 70 animals were brought over from Takapourewa/Stephens Island
with the blessing of Ngati Koata. Two years later, the transferred animals
are thriving and some have already been observed mating - a sure sign
that they are adapting well to their new environment. The survival rate
has been at least 80% and is probably far higher, with all the evidence
suggesting that, at least in the short term, tuatara can coexist well
with low levels of mice.
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| The capture team and representatives
from Ngati Koata escort the tuatara into their new home |
With the first release proving to be such a success, the Department of
Conservation granted us permission to carry out the second of the two
planned transfers – the second step in establishing the mainland’s
first and only wild breeding population. A capture team under the leadership
of Dr Nicky Nelson from Victoria University and including Sanctuary Conservation
Scientist Raewyn Empson spent five days on Takapourewa catching the animals.
The aim was to catch more females than males to improve breeding potential,
but in reality more males were caught. The tuatara were then flown by
helicopter across Cook Strait to Wellington accompanied by representatives
from Ngati Koata and the Wellington Tenths Trust, where they were welcomed
into their new home by Sanctuary staff and volunteers, representatives
from Te Ati Awa / Wellington Tenths Trust and invited guests. They were
released at a number of locations around the Sanctuary from which, over
the next few months, they are expected to disperse and establish territories.
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| Tuatara and film camera |
Both transfers have been part of DOC’s tuatara recovery programme
which, with experiences gained from the Sanctuary releases, will eventually
see other mainland populations re-established. This transfer has only
been possible through a partnership with Ngati Koata and Te Atiawa/Wellington
Tenths Trust and funding from the Community Trust of Wellington. Victoria
University has been closely involved with all aspects of both transfers.
Sanctuary Members can find out more about how our tuatara are
doing at the next members’ seminar, lead by Raewyn Empson and Dr
Nicky Nelson. Keep an eye out in your Kereru newsletter for details
(due out mid-November).
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| Tuatara and film camera |
More
information on tuatara
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