Native fish on display at Sanctuary

MEDIA RELEASE
6 April 2006

Native fish on display at Sanctuary

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Children from Miramar Christian School marvel at the native fish on display at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.

Visitors to Wellington’s Karori Wildlife Sanctuary can now get up close to some of New Zealand’s rarely seen native fish.

Native fish are the final addition to a new interpretation kiosk that explains elements of freshwater restoration. The fish tank contains some native fish that were once widespread in the Wellington region, including inanga, koaro, redfin bullies and torrent fish. Banded kokopu, other species of bullies and koura (freshwater crayfish) will be added to the display shortly.

“Many New Zealanders know very little about our unique freshwater wildlife. Not only will our visitors have the rare opportunity to get up close to some of our native freshwater fish and crayfish, the kiosk acts as an educational tool - explaining the characteristics of many of the fish and the freshwater community” says Sanctuary chief executive, Nancy McIntosh-Ward. “The kiosk also provides information about our wetland and the role of aquatic plants and animals in the freshwater ecosystem.”

The fish tank and interpretation kiosk has been made possible with funding from New Zealand Community Trust and is located at the wetland created with the assistance of Keith Taylor Charitable Trust.

Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, only 2km from the Beehive, is an award-winning 250ha “mainland island”, where some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife is protected from introduced predators by a unique 8.6km fence. A popular educational and visitor attraction, it is the only place on mainland New Zealand where people can experience tuatara, hihi, saddleback and little spotted kiwi in the wild.

ENDS

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