Brook Waimara Project

A Wildlife Sanctuary Walk

View from the old dam into the hills


 

Into the distance

Down into the bush

Wild natural habitat

The Maitai from a walkway

The widlerness of The Brook Waimara Sanctuary

Nelsons old water reserve in the Brook Valley has been a protected place since the late 1800s.
There are 715 hectares of  lowland forests  just on the outskirts of the lovely city of  Nelson - a perfect spot for a wildlife sanctuary. The site has historically been used for walking and camping beside the beautiful Maitai River. The Dun Mountain Walkway (the site of the original railway) and the Forests of  Richmond are connected to the site and a Botanical Reserve (with the The Centre Of New Zealand climb) are alongside the area.

It is on this site that a project to fence the area is proposed. The purpose of the fencing is to restore the natural habitat and keep out predators. The flora and fauna in this area are in danger of being lost and already many native species are endangered. Many birds, reptiles and insects are already extinct and it is hoped that by fencing the area many more will be able to safely reproduce and others be reintroduced from other areas. In preparation for this renewal a programme of trapping is underway to rid the area of predators. Little wooden box traps are everywhere.

The Brook Sanctuary is proposed as a place where animals, birds and insects can flourish alongside a safe and beautiful environment for humans. The stunning flora and fauna too will also benefit if it can then be safely conserved.


"Imagine a place where native plants and animals thrive, without threat from introduced pests.
Alive with birdsong, where rare species such as kiwi, tuatara, and kakapo roam freely.
Where you can get involved and help make a difference.
Where visitors can see native flora and fauna close to home".
www.brooksanctuary.org.nz


I found the area very beautiful and strange in that it was like walking for the first time in a desolate and uninhabited world. One of the endangered species here in need of protection is the rare Kakapo, the worlds largest and strangest parrot.  This bird cannot fly, they walk and eat in the dark, and they only breed every two or three years and they can only be found in New Zealand.  At present only eighty five birds and six chicks have been found and it is this type of problem that the wildlife sanctuary hopes to rectify.

Via Kakapo Cottage NZ



Via Teranature.org

They are so cute!

Sadly we did not see one.