Department of Conservation - Latest News [Page 5]
Public Feedback Sought On Pure Tūroa Concession Application
Monday, 18 December 2023, 1:55 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is seeking public feedback on Pure Tūroa Limited’s application for a concession to operate Tūroa Ski Area on Mt Ruapehu, after Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited entered liquidation in 2023. Deputy Director-General Policy ... More >>
More Water On Tap At Six DOC Huts On Te Araroa
Monday, 18 December 2023, 9:28 am | Department of Conservation
New water tanks will help keep water on tap for high numbers of Te Araroa trail walkers at six huts in the top of the South Island where water has often run out in summer. The Te Araroa Trust has provided 2000-litre rainwater tanks at Department ... More >>
Bush Clearance Leads To DOC Investigation
Thursday, 14 December 2023, 3:20 pm | Department of Conservation
The clearance of several areas of native bush within Egmont National Park/Te Papa Kura-o-Taranaki has prompted a Department of Conservation investigation. Senior Ranger Cameron Hunt says in July DOC staff became aware of several sections ... More >>
Feline Frustration Returns For DOC In Taranaki
Wednesday, 13 December 2023, 3:34 pm | Department of Conservation
DOC staff in Taranaki are concerned for vulnerable native wildlife after another case of domestic cat has been brought into the region’s national park emerged. In August last year, DOC issued a plea to the public to leave domestic pets at home ... More >>
Predator Control And Community - A Dream Team For Coromandel Kiwi
Monday, 4 December 2023, 1:50 pm | Department of Conservation
Brown kiwi are thriving in Eastern Coromandel as sustained predator control by DOC and the local community pays off for the threatened birds. Surveying of kiwi in the area between Tairua and Hot Water Beach has shown a 10% increase from 2015 to 2020. ... More >>
Get Set For Seabird-safe Fishing
Friday, 1 December 2023, 11:06 am | Department of Conservation
A “one-stop-shop” seabird-safe toolkit aims to help high seas fishing operators save up to 40,000 seabirds a year through improved fishing practices. The Seabird-Safe Fishing Toolkit responds to increasing demand for sustainable seafood by supporting ... More >>
Kākāpō Relocated To Reduce Monitoring Load
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 12:54 pm | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation is investigating new monitoring solutions for the Waikato kākāpō population after the trial has shown some kākāpō continue to be highly active. Kākāpō Motupōhue during the July translocation Credit Supplied/Peter ... More >>
It’s A Wrap For Rats On Cook Islands Atoll
Tuesday, 28 November 2023, 11:24 am | Department of Conservation
A rat eradication operation has wrapped up on Cook Islands’ Palmerston Atoll (500km from Rarotonga), with the hope that introduced rats never return to menace the atoll’s community and ecosystems. “This rat eradication has been a long time coming,” ... More >>
Geckos Returned To Wild As Court Case Culminates
Thursday, 23 November 2023, 2:06 pm | Department of Conservation
Three protected native geckos have been returned to the wild after years in illegal captivity. <img src="https://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/2311/bfcde5ea92c26e727d98.jpeg" width="720" height="540"> West Coast green gecko. Credit: ... More >>
Gisborne Poacher Sentenced To Two Months Jail
Wednesday, 22 November 2023, 2:38 pm | Department of Conservation
https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/gisborne-poacher-sentenced-to-two-months-jail/ A Gisborne man who repeatedly poached crayfish from a marine reserve has been sentenced to two months jail for what a judge described as deliberate night-time offending. ... More >>
DOC Report Shows Short Adventures Trending
Wednesday, 22 November 2023, 1:17 pm | Department of Conservation
Short walks and leisurely activities like sightseeing, photography, and bird and wildlife watching were the most popular outdoor activities for kiwi and international visitors, according to DOC’s annual visitor insights report. The report analyses ... More >>
Renewed Partnership Adds To Long-term Whio Protection
Monday, 20 November 2023, 3:14 pm | Department of Conservation
Recent surveys show whio populations remain vulnerable to decline, with last summer’s extreme weather events impacting both the birds and efforts to monitor their population at several key protection sites. Whio are a whitewater specialist duck found only ... More >>
Warning Issued Over Wellington Penguin Deaths
Wednesday, 15 November 2023, 2:12 pm | Department of Conservation
The Alliance responsible for the development of the Wellington-Petone cycleway has received a formal warning from the Department of Conservation, following an investigation into the deaths of several korora/ little blue penguins during the construction. ... More >>
Fishers, Divers, And Boaties Encouraged To Share Protected Species Sightings This Summer
Monday, 13 November 2023, 9:52 am | Department of Conservation
As summer approaches, the Department of Conservation (DOC) is calling on fishers and divers to be citizen scientists and share what they see on the water. Clinton Duffy, DOC Marine Technical Advisor, says recreational fishers and others out on ... More >>
Tracking Down Elusive Lamprey
Tuesday, 7 November 2023, 11:34 am | Department of Conservation
The prospects of an ancient fish with a stunning set of teeth are looking up thanks to a technique that detects the tiniest traces of the elusive kanakana/piharau/lamprey. To build up knowledge of this threatened fish, environmental DNA (eDNA) research ... More >>
Pike29 Memorial Track Opening Confirmed
Wednesday, 25 October 2023, 2:40 pm | Department of Conservation
The Pike29 Memorial Track is opening on 17 February 2024. Memorial Track The 11.6km dual mountain biking and walking track will connect the Paparoa Track Great Walk to the ... More >>
Seal Abuse Video Sparks Outrage
Tuesday, 24 October 2023, 2:55 pm | Department of Conservation
A video shared to social media and showing a man harassing a seal pup on a New Zealand beach is under investigation by the Department of Conservation. The video shows a man in a wetsuit grabbing the young kekeno by the scruff of its neck and putting ... More >>
Hector’s Dolphins Spotted In Firth Of Thames
Friday, 20 October 2023, 6:32 pm | Department of Conservation
Two Hector’s dolphins have been spotted in the Firth of Thames, prompting DOC to call on people to report more sightings of the animals. DOC Marine Species Technical Advisor Kristina Hillock says the two dolphins were spotted by a member of the public ... More >>
Coromandel Seaside Campsites Reopen For Summer
Thursday, 19 October 2023, 3:49 pm | Department of Conservation
Bookings have now opened for several Department of Conservation northern Coromandel campsites, with visitors being urged to get in early. The campsites at Fletcher Bay, Port Jackson, Stony Bay, Fantail Bay and Waikawau Bay offer idyllic seaside camping ... More >>
New Insights Gained From Kākāpō Translocation
Tuesday, 17 October 2023, 12:10 pm | Department of Conservation
The trial kākāpō population in the heart of the Waikato continues to give insights after a determined parrot found a way to leave the fenced sanctuary. Four-year-old Tautahi, who was safely returned to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari last week, is ... More >>