The Sanctuary has now received a permit from the Department of Conservation to translocate tuatara to the Sanctuary, our application to translocate tuatara was submitted in December 2023.
This translocation will involve sourcing animals from 5-6 sites located in the South Island and in the North Island. Sanctuary staff are presently working on the logistics of translocating tuatara and preparing translocation plans.
This translocation is especially important as it will be the first release of tuatara back to Whakatu, the Nelson region in over 100 years. This is a significant cultural milestone for the region, for Nelson city, and for iwi Māori, particularly for Ngāti Koata who act as the national gatekeepers for this iconic species. We would like to thank Ngāti Koata for supporting for our application and planning to bring tuatara back to Whakatu/Nelson. Ngāti Koata will be advising on, and being actively involved and assisting with the translocation of these iconic creatures.
Potentially, tuatara could join us as soon as the end of October. We are likely to receive a mixture of juvenile young tuatara through to mature adults. They will live in our mouse-free exclosure at the Sanctuary. These ancient reptiles, often called living fossils, will add a fascinating dimension to our conservation efforts. Our dedicated team has been preparing diligently to ensure that their new habitat is ideally suited to their needs, replicating the conditions of their natural environment as closely as possible.
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to observe these remarkable creatures up close and learn about their unique evolutionary history and ecological significance.
The arrival of the tuatara is a milestone for the Sanctuary and a testament to our ongoing commitment to preserving New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
We look forward to welcoming these incredible animals and sharing their story with all who come to visit.
Translocations are often an expensive business, if you’d like to contribute to help cover the costs of this exciting new translocation, please consider making a donation.
HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP
- Your donation will help us build a fund to bring our long term objective to fruition, we want to return kiwi to the Nelson/Tasman region
All donations of $5 or more are tax deductible, click here to learn more about SuperGenerous.
Any queries or if you would like to donate in kind, feel free to contact us.
We profile grants, sponsorships, donations in kind etc. in our quarterly eNews newsletter (available here on the website).
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