Survival Kit

Advocacy

Your voice has an impact!

Social Media, letters to the editor of your local newspaper, whether traditional print or digital, like the ODT and Stuff are still one of the most effective ways of reaching a lot of people. Sharing your images and the plight of our wildlife on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok does make a difference!

These platforms not only provide you with an opportunity to express your concerns but you can tag local or national government individuals as well as businesses to raise the call for them to listen.

Encourage sharing. Get your friends and whanau to share your message, your story, your images or share conservation updates and news with your own followers and friends. This amplifies our voice, making sure the message and the stories get to more people. See below in the Key Contacts section for a few local groups to join.

Furry Friends – Dogs

Keeping dogs under control is crucial for protecting native Otago wildlife because even well-behaved dogs can have significant negative impacts on vulnerable species.

THE REASONS:

Direct Threats: Dogs may chase, injure, or kill native wildlife. They are natural hunters, or even may just be being playful, however, this can have a huge impact on vulnerable wildlife. For example, ground-nesting birds like penguins, dotterels, and kiwi, are particularly vulnerable as they cannot easily escape. An attack by a single dog can devastate small populations, and sometimes just the presence of a dog can be fatal to these species.

Disturbance and Stress: The sight, scent, and sound of dogs can distress wildlife and may cause birds to abandon their nests or young, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to predators and the elements. Even barking or inquisitive sniffing can force wildlife to expend valuable energy fleeing or defending themselves, which reduces their chances of survival.

Indirect Harm: Dogs can disrupt feeding and breeding behaviours of our wildlife. Shorebirds like yellow-eyed and little blue penguins, and dotterels, being disturbed from feeding grounds, even temporarily, can mean missing their only opportunity to gather enough food each day. These birds are sticklers for their routines and  interruptions, even innocent ones, may result in nest failure and poor breeding success.

Disease and Environmental Impact: Dogs may carry diseases that can be inadvertently passed to our native wildlife.  Off-leash dogs may spread soil-borne diseases, harm fragile habitats, or trample plants and stream banks, which can further threaten our local ecosystem.

The Legal Beagle: It is an offense under New Zealand law to allow dogs to roam freely or to harm protected wildlife. There are legal penalties for owners whose dogs injure wildlife in protected areas.

By keeping dogs leashed (especially in sensitive areas), strictly following signage, and respecting dog access rules, owners help ensure the survival of Otago’s unique bird and marine species and contribute to the long-term preservation of our precious and beautifully biodiverse ecosystem.

Breeding and The Young

Breeding season is the most vital season for our wildlife. Their survival depends on a successful season, ensuring the next generation of the species. Around the Otago and Southland regions, signs will alert visitors to when breeding is occurring. Please take note of any signage before entering coastal or native forested areas and follow all instructions.

Not a Litter Box

Rubbish, litter, evidence of humans, has a direct impact on the survival of our precious wildlife. Animals can become tangled in items like plastic bags and fishing nets or lines, leading to injury or death. Ingesting litter, such as plastic, can be toxic to them or cause starvation by making them feel full. Food scraps attract pests and predators like rats and stoats, and these introduced species are not our wildlife’s friends!

Predators Beware!

Unfortunately, it’s not just rats, stoats, and possums who pose a threat to our special native and endemic wildlife. Cats, even your cuddly housecat, are natural born hunters. It’s in their nature! However, while we’re not telling you to not keep pets, there are ways to prevent or minimise the potential damage your furry friends may inflict upon our precious ecosystem.

Regeneration – Plant and Protect

Native wildlife needs their natural habitat. It means that they have all the resources they need like food, water, and shelter, to breed and to live. Habitat loss is one of the primary drivers of extinction, so by regenerating functional ecosystems that support biodiversity and maintain ecosystem stability, we are giving our precious species a fighting chance. Minimising and managing invasive weeds, restoring native vegetation, and improving soil health, all contributes to a resilient landscape and safe havens for native species.

By planting or protecting native plants and trees you are contributing to wildlife protection. Every little bit counts. Even if you don’t live near areas of natural wildlife, you can still help to have a positive impact on regenerating and protecting native habitats.

Watch Wildlife – But not too closely!

Who doesn’t love to catch a glimpse of hoiho or kekeno or other wildlife in their natural environment? But, when you are out and about wildlife spotting or taking photographs, please keep a safe distance as your presence may disrupt their habitat and routines.

Our purpose built hides and hidden tracks are perfect for observing wildlife in their natural environment. Come and see us and get the best views without disturbing the natural routines of wildlife.

Report Sightings and Issues

Help us help them. If you see wildlife in any form of distress, injured, lost or not in a place you think they should be, report it. No matter how innocuous you think the issue may be, you might just have saved a life by letting those who know what to do know! Or give us a call and we can help you decide what to do. Our Rehab Team are experts at helping wildlife. The important thing is not to try to help yourself as this can sometimes cause more distress. See the Key Contacts section below.

Community Connection

There are many local conservation groups, organisations, even Facebook Groups where you can keep informed and offer your support.

Below you will find links and contact details to local conservation groups that you can join as a volunteer or simply just be kept up to date on what’s going on in the world of wildlife in your area.