Wildlife Restoration

Wildlife Restoration

The team at Ecoworks NZ are currently managing a range of wildlife restoration projects. Steve Sawyer and team have been involved with many species restoration and wildlife management projects, including working on many of New Zealand's most critically endangered wildlife species, such as the kiwi, taiko, black robin and a range of pelagic seabirds. By using a combination of recognised techniques and thinking outside the square we have been able to devise a range of techniques for our clients to reduce costs and rapidly re-establish healthy wildlife populations at a range of sites.  An in depth background knowledge of both species biology and the factors which influence the success of a species population is vital. By combining efficient and cost effective animal pest control, habitat restoration and implementing a range of enhancement techniques for each species we are able to produce high quality, measurable results for the client. Handling permits and translocation plans are required prior to work commencing on NZ threatened species. Ecoworks NZ works closely with the Department of Conservation and the relevant Iwi or Hapu  to achieve this.

Ecoworks NZ is managing a number of privately owned forest sites in the Gisborne Region to restore remnant gecko and skink populations. Coastal habitats are being managed to protect Smith's, common, copper and speckled skinks and Ecoworks NZ aims to re-introduce tuatara into the Nicks Head Station predator proof enclosure. Reptile Pics Clockwise: green gecko, forest geckos, Smith's skink, grey gecko, forest gecko, copper skink, tuatara, common skink.

Ecoworks NZ manages several sites where threatened plant species have been either re-introduced or are now abundant due to the control of animal pests. Island habitats have been created and the control of gastropods and lagomorphs has been undertaken to enhance plant populations. (Pics: kakabeak flower, Williams' broom flower, black orchid and green hooded orchid).

The team at Ecoworks NZ have re-established Auckland tree weta populations at Nicks Head Station.  By installing weta 'condos' at Longbush QEII Reserve with assistance from Dame Anne and Jeremy Salmond we have been able to translocate adult weta into a developing forest habitat.  

A range of bush bird habitats are being restored and predators are controlled to low density.  Transfers of North Island robin and weka are in the planning stage in an effort to re-introduce locally extinct species back into the Gisborne Area.

Ecoworks NZ has achieved a world first by using audio systems to attract both grey-faced petrels and fluttering shearwaters to Nicks Head Peninsula. Artificial breeding burrows have been installed and are regularly visited by both species. The first grey-faced petrel was leg banded during 2007 and the first two chicks fledged during December 2008.  These are the first chicks recorded at this site since 1931. To learn more about this project click on - Petrels

An Australasian gannet colony has successfully been set up on Nicks Head Peninsula with its own audio attraction system, to find out more about this project click on - Gannets