Looking for another reason to visit Franz Josef? Let's talk wildlife on the West Coast!
Aotearoa is a haven for many species of bird, and they are considered to be taonga (treasure) to all. Aside from our unique bird life, there are also several animal species that have been introduced to Aotearoa. Some of these introduced species make the West Coast a special place for hunters whilst others destroy habitats and put our bird populations at risk.
Rowi Kiwi
Rowi kiwi are the rarest of five kiwi species in New Zealand. They are a taonga (treasure) for those of us living on the west coast, as they are only found in the Okarito forests and the surrounding areas of South Westland. Rowi kiwi are typically distinguished by their greyish feathers and can be found to have white or cream facial feathers. This is quite the contrast to the other kiwi species which typically have a darker brown appearance.
The population of Rowi has been threatened by predators such as stoats. In 2008 it was estimated that there were only 300 Rowi in the Okarito sanctuary. Today thanks to Operation Nest Egg, their population is estimated to have boosted to around 600 Rowi birds.
Kea
You’ll often see these birds wreaking havoc on whatever their beaks can find. This highly intelligent parrot is one of a kind, with it being the only alpine parrot.
If you spot a kea, please make sure not to feed them. Human food hurts their stomachs and encourages them to interact with other human items which may cause them harm.
Kea are often easily identifiable by their iconic call which they are named after. As you walk through the bush keep an ear out for a “Keaaaa” and a flash of rainbow feathers flying above you.
Kereru
Also known as the New Zealand pigeon, these big birds are often a bit of a clutz as they fly around the bush with their noisy beat of their wings. Kereru typically feed on the fruit of native trees and tend to sun themselves after eating. This behavior causes the fruits to heat up, ferment, and produce alcohol in the Kererus croup causing the bird to become drunk.
Tahr
Tahr are native to the central Himalayan ranges of India and Nepal and were introduced into Aotearoa in 1904. Tahr have no natural predators in NZ, meaning that without population control methods such as hunting, their population can rapidly increase. When large groups of Tahr form, they often will graze alpine tussocks, destroying native alpine vegetation and impacting food sources for native bird species.
Chamois
Originally from the European alps, Chamois where gifted to New Zealand by the Austrian Hungarian Emperor, Franz Josef, in 1907. Chamois are found throughout the high country of the South Island and are a common animal for kiwis and tourists to hunt. Like Tahr, Chamois will graze native vegetation, damaging the vegetation and impacting available food sources for native birds.
Stoats
Stoats are a part of the mustelid family. Stoats are an invasive pest which were introduced into New Zealand in the 1800’s to control rabbit populations. This would unknowingly create devastation amongst our bird life. Stoats are known to hunt in any environment where they can find prey. Therse agile hunters have been known to swim distances of up to 1.5km to find prey. In Franz Josef, Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) have been putting in the hard mahi (work) to try to eliminate stoats and create predator free zones.
When you come to Franz Josef Glacier, be sure to keep your eyes open for these special creatures and more. Just one of the many reasons to have an adventure on the West Coast!
Photo Credit: Geoff Marks