'Absolutely stoked': Rangers declare Shakespear Regional Park stoat free
Shakespear Regional Park has reclaimed its pest-free status, after a stoat incursion spanning almost two years.
The sanctuary provides wildlife such as kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), hihi (stitchbird) and tīeke (saddleback) with a safe and pest-free habitat.
However, that safety was compromised after a stoat was spotted in March 2020.
By summer, it was evident the stoat had given birth, as the DNA analysis of scat (poo) samples had identified the presence of nine individual stoats, Auckland Council senior ranger at the sanctuary Matt Maitland said.
In early August 2021, the eighth stoat was captured. No more have been caught since. It's possible the ninth male stoat, last seen on camera on August 22, may have left the sanctuary or had “had some other misadventure” befall it.
Cautious of declaring the stoat incursion over, due to the high stakes for wildlife, the team allowed the stoats a breeding cycle before celebrating the sanctuary as stoat free in late January.
Maitland said he was “absolutely stoked” to see the end of the stoat saga.
Click 'read more' for the full story on Stuff.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.4% Yes
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8.2% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below!
Lest we forget...
On this ANZAC Day, let's take a moment to remember and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.
Tell us who are you honouring today. Whether it's a story from the battlefield or a memory of a family member who fought in the war, we'd love you to share your stories below.
Artist Talks
Series of Artist’s Talks about Renaissance Artists:
Next talk, this coming Sunday, 28th.
Sunday 28th April Michelangelo - Fall
Sunday 26th May Caravaggio - Passion
Sunday 23rd June Rembrandt - Reflection
Sunday 25th August Van Gogh
Talks are by Blacksmith Chris Ellwood and his wife, potter and painter, Karyn.
Passion, pain and the papacy have influenced the work of many of the Renaissance Artists. Hear stories of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Van Gogh as we take you through their spiritual journey’s during a series of artist talks hosted as part of ‘Cafe Church’ over the next few months at Helensville Community Church, 40 Mill Road.
The talks will be in the form of a powerpoint presentation and will be very interactive, with questions welcomed throughout. Although neither Chris nor Karyn are academics as such, they have a real passion for these Renaissance artists.
Chris hopes, through these talks, to show the humanity, strengths and weaknesses of artists who lived in a very different time to us and had to grapple with their personal beliefs whilst existing within societies prevailing systems.
The talks will be a part of the Sunday service at Helensville Community Church,
40 Mill Road, next to the Hospice Shop and opposite Mitre 10.
Services start at 10.30 and are of a ‘Cafe Style’, with food and drinks available throughout as the Church is set up around tables like a cafe.
There is no charge for food or drinks.
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