Animal Introduction
The growth of trees since first plantings began in 1989 has
seen suitable habitat form, allowing the re-introduction of
several species. Who funds these projects - see the Sponsors page and
Links page
Kiwi
Kiwi of course have been introduced to the island, starting
in 2001 with adult birds, Helga and Glen. Numerous chicks, as
part of the Department of Conservation – Operation Nest
Egg Programme, have been released to the island. Being largely
predator free, the island has proved a good place for them to
grow to a kilogram or more in 12-18 months. At that stage they
can defend themselves from most predators and are released back
to the mainland, mostly at the Bream Head kiwi sanctuary. In four
years (2004-2007) a total of 47 kiwi chicks graduated from the
island creche and were returned to the mainland. At May 2008, the
island was home to 25 kiwi, the majority of them chicks and juveniles.
Kiwi related work is supported by Department of Conservation and funded
by FOMLI sponsors (Golden Bay Cement, Whangarei District Council),
while mustelid control is funded by the
Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust. Thanks guys.
Lizards
A male/female pair of juvenile forest gecko were released on
the island in 2001, whereabouts currently unknown. The Society
plans to re-introduce several species of lizard to the island,
many of which have shrinking distributions on the mainland.
On December 22nd 2007, 29 Shore Skink were released on
Matakohe-Limestone Island as a part of this programme.
The island is also suitable for Tuatara (in enclosures),
but other species of lizard will be re-introduced first.
Birds
There are many bird species on and around the island. Some land
birds have naturally re-colonised the island as habitat has
improved, notably banded rail and fernbird. Brown Quail have
been seen from time-to-time on the island. A list of birds seen
on/around the island can be found in the ecological restoration
plan (see below)
Grey faced petrel
Forty Grey Faced Petrel were transferred from Taranga (Hen)
Island to Matakohe-Limestone Island at the beginning of December
2004. This is a small petrel, the northern mutton-bird. They
lay a single egg in a burrow and have a long incubation period.
Due to predation on the mainland, they are now only found on
isolated headlands and offshore islands such as the Hen and
Chicks. Though some chicks died, the translocation and feeding
of the birds through to fledging was considered a success for
the first year of the five-year project. A report on the 2004
translocation can be downloaded here
(PDF file - 203KB). Including 2007 (four years), the project has seen
113 petrels successfully fledged and is is hoped this can be boosted to
150 in 2008 to complete the five year programme.
A big thanks goes to the World Wildlife Fund - NZ and Tindall Foundation for funding the project.
Invertebrates
Some invertebrates have been re-introduced from the mainland
to the island. To date, these include weta, stick insect, and
flax snail (unsuccessfully - all eleven snails died). Adult
weta have been found on the island well away from release sites.
No stick insects have been seen to date. The Argentine ant is
one insect that is definitely not wanted on the island. Annual
surveys are carried out to check for these ants and pot plants
are quarantined and treated before transport to the island.
Ecological Plan
An ecological restoration plan guides efforts on the island -
Matakohe-Limestone Island Scenic Reserve Restoration Plan (Jo Ritchie, May 2000).
Introduction of several species of birds, lizards and invertebrates are recommended
for the island as suitable habitat becomes available. This plan, along with
other articles are listed under Society Publications. |
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| Before the restoration programme got underway,
the island was used for many things... click
for more |
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| Keeping the island free of predators is an
ongoing battle... click
for more |
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