Pāteke breeding success

Newly hatched pāteke at the Palmerston North Victoria Esplanade

MEDIA RELEASE

25 September 2014

Pāteke breeding success and important part of Wildbase Recovery plans.

Palmerston North’s Victoria Esplanade aviaries have some exciting new residents, thanks to a breeding pair of pāteke (brown teal ducks). The three newly hatched dabbling ducklings are extra special as they are part of the Department of Conservation’s national captive breeding program for the endangered species and are an example of Wildbase Recovery’s permanent breeding avairy plans.

Once widespread throughout New Zealand the native pāteke now have an estimated 2000-2500 in the wild. Peter Russell, the Esplanade’s aviary keeper, says the latest hatch is the second this year from the pair of ducks, who recently came to Palmerston North. There’s a good indication they can go on to match their predecessors’ success, a pair of pāteke who produced approximately 108 ducklings, most of which were sent to Peacock Springs in Christchurch for pre-release conditioning, banding and radio-tagging in preparation for release around New Zealand.

When he’s not caring for the aviaries’ residents, Mr Russell is helping advise on the Wildbase Recovery project. Taking over the running of the esplanade aviary from his father in 1978, Mr Russell says it’s pretty special to be involved in something that will see the aviaries and education centre transformed. The pāteke recovery program has been a special consideration in the plans for Wildbase Recovery, former a broader contribution to the rehabilitation and survival of some of New Zealand’s most endangered species.

Plans for a permanent pāteke breeding aviary have been developed in conjunction with wildlife specialists from Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital, wildlife centre designers Studio Hansen, and Mr Russell. Natural edge wetland planting, flowing water and free draining soil will help to mimic the pāteke’s native habitat as much as possible. “Happy birds create successful breeders,” says Mr Russell. The breeders aviary is just one of the permanent breeding and inflight aviaries that will sit alongside fourteen rehabilitation aviaries once Wildbase Recovery is established.

Wildbase Recovery Community Trust is a Charitable Trust tasked with raising funds that will be granted to Palmerston North City Council for the sole purpose of building, operating and maintaining this community funded wildlife recovery centre. In a unique collaboration, Wildbase Recovery will be built and owned by Palmerston North City Council and co-managed by Massey University’s Veterinary School.

Generous grants from the Department of Conservation and Central Energy Trust, Palmerston North City Council’s $837,000 contribution and $34,000 of in-kind donations has raised approximately $1.4m to date. “The first stage of our fundraising has produced an exciting start,” says Wildbase Recovery Community Trust Chair, Roger Kennedy. “We still have a long way to go though, if we’re to reach our target of $5.3m. We hope the community will get behind the Wildbase Recovery project and help wildlife such as the pāteke go on and contribute to the survival of their species.”

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