Sanctuary Mountain

Last term, we went to Sanctuary Mountain (Maungatautari). We learned lots about the endemic species (Species that only live in New Zealand).  I really liked seeing the native animals, they were really cute.
Here are some interesting things that we learned:

• 90% of the bush in New Zealand is endemic (only found in NZ).
• Habitat loss
• We have lost 77% of the forest we used to have in NZ (see picture).
• We have lost 90% of the wetlands we used to have.
• A lot of the loss was due to deliberate burning with fire. The other main cause was introduced animals such as pigs, goats, cows, and possums.
• Pests (Animals that are in the wrong place)
• Main pests include rabbits, possums, stoats, rats, cats, and weasels.
• For every 20 kiwi babies born 17 are killed by stoats.
• Rabbits were bought in to the country for hunting but their numbers got out of control. They considered bringing in foxes to get rid of them but decided on stoats. 
• The kiwi population is still in decline. The population is being reduced by 2% a year. That works out to be about 40 kiwi dying each week.
Sanctuary Mountain has a massive pest - proof fence that circles around the whole mountain.

 I really enjoyed our time at sanctuary mountain.