New Zealand nature
Articles in ‘New Zealand nature’
July 29th, 2009
A landmark study, published this week in
Conservation Biology, warns of the threat of mass extinction looming in across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands because of loss of habitats and invading species which are
Read the rest of this entry
Australia nature, New Zealand nature, Oceania nature | Tags: extin|
July 29th, 2009
The population of the world’s most endangered parrot, the kakapo (
Strigops habroptila) has increased from just 50 known birds to 124 today. The flightless kakapo was brought to the brink by relentless hunting, deforestation, and the introduction of dogs, cats, and rats. Now, thanks to
New Zealand’s Kakapo Recovery Programme’s intensive species management and successful breeding results, the population appears to show a timid recovery, though it is still clearly critically endangered. Read more at
Ecowordly
New Zealand nature | Tags: Conservation in New Zealand, Endangered parrots, Endangered species in New Zealand, kakapo, Strigops habroptila|
July 22nd, 2009
A New Zealand winemaker thinks he has found a novel way to reduce the carbon footprint of his wine by allowing a breed of miniature sheep to graze between his vines thus cutting fuel costs and keeping grass short. The animals are known by the ridiculous name of babydoll sheep and were bred originally as pets. Only 300 exist in the world. The sheep only reach about 60cm tall when fully grown. Because the grapes tend only to start growing from about 110cm off the ground the sheep can’t reach them.
The Guardian
New Zealand nature, Oceania nature | Tags: Babydoll sheep, Carbon footprint of wine, Sheep as pets, Unsual sheep breeds, Uses of sheep, Using sheep in vineyards|