28 February 2019

Three young whio/blue ducks were this week the first to be released into the Wangapeka-Fyfe Whio Security Site in Kahurangi National Park as part of a new ‘breed for release’ programme to boost whio numbers.

In the ‘breed for release’ programme, five adult whio pairs living at wildlife centres breed whio for release into South Island rivers.

The Wangapeka -Fyfe Whio Security Site receives funding from the Whio Forever programme that is a partnership between Genesis and the Department of Conservation (DOC).

DOC Motueka Ranger Ivan Rogers says the new captive breeding programme should enable fast growth in whio numbers in this area of Kahurangi National Park over the coming years.

“Captive whio lay between four and eight eggs and they can produce two or three clutches in a breeding season. To encourage the whio pairs to produce more clutches, eggs from their first one or two clutches are taken from them after 10 days of incubation to be hatched and raised at The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust (ICWT) in Christchurch.

According to Cam Speedy, Genesis Senior Environmental Coordinator and advisor to the Whio Forever technical committee, the breed for release programme can only work because of the extensive predator control network in the region and the dedication of the DOC whio experts.

“The South Island presents different challenges to the North Island in terms of whio protection in that the river systems and catchments are so much bigger. This means the number of traps required to protect the area has to significantly increase,” says Cam Speedy.

“These ducklings have a much better chance of survival today than even a few ye

endsars ago. The numbers we are now seeing in this whio security site are incredible and it is a credit to the hard work and determination of those involved.”

Ivan Rogers says, “We really appreciate the support of The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and the other wildlife centres involved for their help with this breed for release technique that is valuable for increasing whio numbers.”

The Wangapeka-Fyfe Whio Security Site was established in 2003 with a goal to protect 50 pairs. In early 2017, 43 adult pairs were found in the most recent count using whio-detecting conservation dogs.

An extensive stoat trapping network and aerial 1080 predator control are helping to protect the Wangapeka-Fyfe whio. Stoats are the main threat to whio, stealing eggs and preying on nesting females and ducklings.

Monitoring has shown more ducklings fledging in the site in breeding seasons when aerial 1080 predator control has taken place. After a 2011 OSPRI operation, 48 whio fledglings were recorded and after DOC operations in 2014 and 2016, 65 and 40 respectively. In the intervening years, 21, 18 and 23 whio fledglings were counted and 22 last year.

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