Department of Conservation - Latest News [Page 1]
Here (should Not) Be Dragons
Thursday, 28 March 2024, 1:33 pm | Department of Conservation
A rogue Australian water dragon has been removed from Papaitonga Scenic Reserve near Levin, prompting the Department of Conservation to remind people not to dump unwanted pets on conservation land. Water dragons are a native Australian semi-aquatic ... More >>
Decapitated Great White Shark Highlights Concerns At Mahia
Wednesday, 20 March 2024, 8:11 pm | Department of Conservation
DOC is appealing for information from the public after a protected great white shark was found decapitated on Mahia beach on Friday 15 March. More >>
Changes To Great Walk Prices And DOC Discount Policies
Tuesday, 19 March 2024, 2:23 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is increasing the price of Great Walk facilities. “It has been more than four years since prices were reviewed and upkeep costs have risen significantly since then,” says DOC’s Director of Heritage and Visitors, ... More >>
Jos Divis Cottage Restoration Celebrated
Friday, 15 March 2024, 12:23 pm | Department of Conservation
Family members from the Czech Republic were among those who gathered at the old gold mining township of Waiuta today to celebrate the restoration of Jos Divis’ old home. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2403/95d64d3f3f3012574f32.jpeg" ... More >>
Dog Attack Believed To Have Killed 19 Gulls In Kaikōura
Wednesday, 13 March 2024, 2:06 pm | Department of Conservation
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and the Department of Conservation are reminding people to control dogs in coastal areas after 19 gulls/tarāpunga were found dead at Kaikōura’s South Bay, seemingly killed by a dog or dogs. DOC South Marlborough Senior Biodiversity ... More >>
26-year-old Bat Could Be New Zealand’s Oldest
Monday, 4 March 2024, 12:43 pm | Department of Conservation
New Zealand’s oldest known long-tailed bat/pekapeka-tou-roa – at 26 years – was recorded this summer as part of a Department of Conservation monitoring programme in Fiordland. Known only as ‘T7787’, the tiny flying mammal was caught in a harp ... More >>
Conservationists Shocked At Theft Of Predator Traps At Okura Bush
Tuesday, 27 February 2024, 9:38 am | Department of Conservation
More than 25 predator traps have been stolen from the Okura Bush Scenic Reserve on Auckland’s North Shore, shocking conservation group Friends of Okura Bush, Te Kawerau ā Maki and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Predator Pest Control Coordinator ... More >>
Native Snails Heading For Extinction
Monday, 26 February 2024, 9:30 am | Department of Conservation
New Zealand has some of the most spectacular land snails in the world, but they’re sliding to extinction – and climate change is a major factor. The latest threat classification report on New Zealand’s carnivorous land snails shows that of the ... More >>
Public Could Help Solve Whanganui Mass Fish Death Mystery
Friday, 23 February 2024, 12:11 pm | Department of Conservation
The public is being asked to provide crucial, ‘as-it-happens’ evidence that could help identify the cause of mass fish deaths in the Whanganui River catchment. Mass deaths of tuna/eels and other fish have been reported in the upper Whanganui ... More >>
Pure Tūroa Limited’s Public Hearings To Begin
Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 11:31 am | Department of Conservation
DOC will be holding public hearings on Pure Tūroa Limited’s concession application from Thursday 22 February – Tuesday 27 February. Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services Ruth Isaac says DOC received 477 submissions. “We would ... More >>
Complaints From Public Rise As Boats, Jetskis Get Too Close To Ocean Animals
Tuesday, 20 February 2024, 10:04 am | Department of Conservation
An increase in risky, potentially harmful encounters with marine mammals is prompting a call from Department of Conservation to the public to give dolphins and whales space on the water. DOC’s Marine Technical Advisor, Hannah Hendriks says DOC has ... More >>
Pike29 Memorial Track Opens
Friday, 16 February 2024, 1:12 pm | Department of Conservation
The Pike29 Memorial Track officially opened today with mountain bikers and walkers set to use it for the first time tomorrow. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2402/b81d2ded34118f58d370.jpeg" width="720" height="540"> Pike River Family Members After ... More >>
Remote Kiwi Population Growing For First Time In Conservation History
Friday, 16 February 2024, 10:36 am | Department of Conservation
Kiwi numbers are increasing in a remote part of Fiordland for the first time in the history of their conservation, thanks to recent aerial predator control operations. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2402/22f84cb35fc55e118d96.jpeg" ... More >>
Leave Moulting Penguins Alone - DOC
Thursday, 15 February 2024, 2:49 pm | Department of Conservation
DOC is asking beachgoers and their dogs to give korora/little blue penguins space when they come ashore to moult. Korora adults come ashore between November and March to shed their feathers and grow a new waterproof coat, which takes about two to three ... More >>
Where’s Your Dog At? Call To Keep Dogs Safe By Not Letting Them Roam
Thursday, 8 February 2024, 11:36 am | Department of Conservation
Owners who prevent their dogs from roaming can sleep easier knowing their dog isn’t in danger. Save the Kiwi and the Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai are joining forces to encourage dog owners to make a pledge to prevent their dogs from roaming. ... More >>
Turtle Time Is A Long Time
Friday, 2 February 2024, 10:33 am | Department of Conservation
DOC is urging people to do their ‘due diligence’ before buying a pet red-eared slider turtle, as they pose a serious threat to native freshwater plants and animals if abandoned. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2402/9e5e456c21fab5d8adee.jpeg" ... More >>
Waituna Wetland’s Vulnerability In The Spotlight
Thursday, 1 February 2024, 2:43 pm | Department of Conservation
The Awarua-Waituna Wetlands near Invercargill have incredible ecological and cultural value, but, as World Wetlands Day approaches, a concerning algal bloom illustrates wetland vulnerability. World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on February 2. ... More >>
DOC Says Sharks May Visit Mass Stranding Site In Mahia, Caution Urged
Friday, 26 January 2024, 3:56 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is warning people to be cautious around the waters of the Mahia peninsula, as the remains of stranded whales and dolphins may attract sharks. A pod of about 45 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins stranded ... More >>
Fire Risk Temporarily Restricts Vehicle Access To Some South Island Conservation Areas
Friday, 26 January 2024, 2:15 pm | Department of Conservation
Areas of public conservation land in the Hakatere, St James, and Molesworth, in the eastern South Island will temporarily close to motorised vehicles due to high fire risk. The restrictions aim to reduce the risk of vehicles including 4WDs accidentally ... More >>
Man Sentenced For Skippering Vessel Into Flock Of Protected Seabirds
Thursday, 25 January 2024, 10:46 am | Department of Conservation
An Auckland man has been fined $2500 after he was successfully prosecuted for deliberately skippering a speedboat through a flock of protected seabirds – he then shared the video of the incident on social media. Matthew Jurlina, a professional rugby player, ... More >>