Finding whio

On this page:

• Captive whio
• Security sites
• Recovery sites
• Rearing facilities

Captive whio

There are many places where you can see captive whio living in comfortable and safe homes. These birds are involved in breed-for-release programmes. In the programmes whio are bred, hatched, raised and hardened before being tagged and released into security sites.

Auckland Zoo

Auckland Zoo is one of the easiest places to get up close to a whio with a designated enclosure for the blue duck. There’s two breeding pairs at the zoo, five chicks and more chicks are expected soon.

Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo has a successful track record of breeding whio and releasing them into the wild. It’s a great place to check out the whio and a wide range of other native birds.

Paradise Valley Springs

While not official residents of the Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park, local whio visit the open-plan park regularly. There is a special wetlands area in the park with walkways that bring you up close to a variety of waterfowl birds. There are no guarantees that whio will be hanging out when you’re there, but you just never know your luck.

Orana Park

Situated near Christchurch, Orana Park has a successful breeding programme for the Whio which has seen many ducks raised in captivity and released back into the wild. Orana Park has some great facilities and a wide range of native and exotic animals to view.

Security sites

Security sites are high priority areas. They are intensively managed with a goal of having 50 pairs at each site. With the support of Genesis Energy, protection efforts focus on:

• effective predator control, and;
• maintaining healthy duck populations.

Recovery sites

Recovery Sites are sites that help to maintain whio across their natural range. These sites are maintained through community efforts and DOC initiatives.

Takaputahi River

The 22km long Takaputahi River has its origins in numerous streams which rise in rough hill country close to the eastern end of the Bay of Plenty, the longest of which is the Rawea Stream. The Takaputahi flows mostly east, away from the coast, before meeting the Motu River. Much of the river is within the Raukumara Forest Park. In 2007 five whio mating pairs were recorded.

Pohokura  Forest

Pohokura is a red beech forest with 120km of walking tracks and eight huts. Whio breeding has been documented in several sites within the forest and the birds are protected by the periodic spread of 1080 poison to limit predator numbers. The goal is to provide a safe haven where whio can survive and expand into the surrounding public and private land.

Egmont National

Egmont National Park is a mountainous area that encompasses three volcanic cones with Mount Taranaki forming the nucleus of the park. Twenty eight native bird species and 15 introduced species can be found in the park. Threatened species include the whio, brown kiwi, and the fernbird. The whio were reintroduced to the park and ongoing translocations occur to ensure successful establishment of the population. Predator trap lines in the park are checked 18 times a year and this has helped the whio achieve successful breeding in the area.

Te Potae O Awaroa

The Te Potae Project is an integrated pest management area of 20,000ha in the north west corner of the Ruahine Ranges. This area supports a diverse range of rare and threatened plant and animal species including the whio. Populations of whio are dispersed through the area and receive predator protection from 50km of trap lines that are checked monthly by DOC staff and volunteers.

Gouland Downs

Gouland Downs is in the Kahurangi National Park and is accessible through the popular Heaphy Track. The Blue Duck Project in the area aims to reduce predators around the nesting and living areas of the whio.

Pearse River and Flora Stream

The Pearse River and Flora Stream flow east from sources in the Arthur Range and reach the Motueka River. Whio are occasionally transferred from the Pearse River to the nearby Flora Stream where there is a small, but stable population.

Moonlight Creek

A small group of dedicated volunteers maintain a 23km trapline along the Moonlight and Croesus walking tracks to protect a very small population of whio in this scenic area. The objective is to re-establish a blue duck population on rivers in the South Paparoa Range. To help reach this goal, whio eggs are harvested and taken to Peacock Springs for captive rearing. Once the ducklings have reached fledgling age they are released back into Moonlight or Blackball creeks.

Mingha and Deception Valleys

Situated in the Arthurs Pass National Park the Mingha and Deception Valleys are home to a small whio population. Whio numbers have dramatically increased since a 2004 survey that found only three blue ducks left in the area. Whio in Mingha/Deception Valleys are protected by monitored stoat traps and have front row seats at the annual Coast to Coast multi-sport event.

Landsborough Operation Ark

A popular spot for white-water rafting, the Landsborough Valley is also home to a number of endangered bird species including the whio and the mohua (Yellowhead). As an Operation Ark site the primary method for whio protection is stoat control by trapping and 1080 poisoning. Whio populations are also being supplemented by Operation Nest Egg techniques.

Hollyford

This site runs from the Hollyford Road end to the Homer Tunnel. The trapping is managed by a combination of Downers EDI, Gunns Camp Charitable Trust and the NZ Alpine Club. This protects approximately 28km of river. Currently 8km of this river is monitored and the area holds 5 pairs.

Glaisnock/NITZ recovery site

The trapping in this recovery site is managed by the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation. The trapping when completed will protect approximately 20km of river. This is still in the process of being completed. Currently there are around 7 pairs in this area. Historically this was a stronghold for whio in Fiordland.

Murchison Mountains

The Murchison Mountains covers an area of approximately 50,000ha. A trapping network has been established for the protection of takahe. It also helps with the protection of a number of other species including whio, kiwi, mohua, kea and rock wren. At present this area holds around 20 pairs of whio. It has the capacity to hold around 50 pairs of whio at full capacity. Mitre 10 are in partnership with DOC to support Takahe Recovery and part of this is assisting with the cost of trapping. Whio Forever funding goes towards an extra trap check, trap line maintenance and whio monitoring.

Iris Burn

The traps down the Iris Burn are managed by the Kepler Challenge Committee. There are four pairs of whio on this river. The trapping protects approximately 16km of river.

Rearing facilities

These facilities aim to speed up the recovery of wild whio populations at sites with existing predator control.