More pāteke released in Abel Tasman, rare duck population now in the hundreds

Samantha Gee13:31, May 26 2020

ROBYN JANES/PROJECT JANSZOON

Motupipi teacher Jodie Grant releasing some of the pāteke in the Awapoto River.

There might be less people flying around the country, but a plane carrying 49 rare pāteke made a special flight to Nelson, as part of the journey to their new home in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Pāteke, or brown teal, were once widespread throughout New Zealand but are now one of the country's rarest waterfowl species, with the Department of Conservation estimating there are 2000 – 2500 birds left in the wild. 

Despite Covid-19 restrictions and reduced air capacity, the special cargo landed at Nelson Airport last week. 

After being blessed at the airport by Archdeacon Harvey Ruru​ of Te Ātiawa the birds were driven to the Abel Tasman National Park and released on the Awapoto River at dusk. 

Since 2017, Project Janszoon, the Department of Conservation and local iwi have released 288 pāteke in the Abel Tasman National Park, which is one of only two South Island pāteke sites.

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Wildlife sanctuary to release endangered native duck during shooting season

Mike Watson12:17, May 14 2019

A rare native duck, which 'freezes' when threatened with danger, is to be released at a Taranaki wildlife sanctuary in the middle of the duck shooting season to draw attention to its endangered status.

Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve will be the future home for the pāteke, or brown teal, dabbling ducks when volunteers release 20 of the rare waterfowl on Thursday.

The sanctuary, 12km east of Eltham, has previously successfully released other rare native birds, including kiwi, tieke (North Island saddleback), hihi (stitch-bird), toutouwai (North Island robin), popokatea (whitehead), and recently, titiponamu (rifleman), to the pest-free area.

Twenty rare pāteke ducks will be released into Taranaki's Lake Rotokare Scenic Reserve on Thursday.

Sanctuary manager Simon Collins said the plight of the pāteke was not a well-known conservation story but highlighted the diversity of New Zealand's native species, and the significant challenge to restore the biodiversity.

Pāteke is an endemic New Zealand waterfowl species that was once abundant and widespread, Collins said.

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RARE BIRD NEWS: Rare Pateke at Wellington Zoo

Tuesday, 18 February, 2014 - 11:15

Wellington Zoo recently welcomed three juvenile Brown Teal (Pāteke) to The Nest Te Kōhanga for a health screening.

Pāteke are a small duck species endemic to New Zealand. Once widespread throughout the country, they are now our rarest waterfowl species on the mainland.

"There are fewer than 2500 Pāteke left, which makes our work with them a very special opportunity," explained Wellington Zoo Veterinarian Baukje Lenting.

"On physical examination all the birds were a good weight and looked healthy. We’re now waiting for the faecal sample results to come back, so we can then determine the next course of action," added breeder Craig Shepherd.

The three Pāteke are in quarantine on Craig’s private property in Wellington, and once given a clean bill of health will make the journey down south to Peacock Springs Wildlife Park - part of the Department of Conservation’s breed for restoration plan for the birds. The Pāteke will eventually be restored to various release sites in the South Island.

Continued

Native birds perish in drought

Updated at 10:20 pm on 2 April 2013

Native plants and endangered birds including kiwi are the latest to suffer at the hands of the drought.

Trees and animals are dying, and sanctuaries and regional parks are worried about the risk of fire and the need to close if the parched conditions don't improve.

At Tawharanui Regional Park in the Auckland region, dried-up waterways mean wildlife are running out of food.

Open sanctuaries co-ordinator at Auckland Council Matt Maitland says seven pateke, or brown teal ducks, as well as kiwi and other native birds have died.

Many of the park's native plants are now wilted and brown.

A conservation forest in Waitakere, Ark in the Park, is having similar problems. Manager Gillian Wadams says mahoe and kawakawa are wilting and there are cracks in the soil in what is normally a rainforest environment.

Matiu Somes Island in Wellington Harbour has had to be closed intermittently because of an increased fire risk.

Continued:  http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/131783/native-birds-perish-in-drought