Tuatara recovery plan
2001–2011
THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN 47 Recovery plans
This is one of a series of recovery plans published by the Department of Conservation. Recovery plans are statements of the Department’s intentions for the conservation of a particular species of plant of animal. Recovery plans focus on the goals and objectives of species management, guide the Department in its allocation of resources and are used to raise public awareness of the species recovery process.
A recovery group has been established for tuatara that consists of people with knowledge of the ecology and management needs of the species. The recovery group prepared this plan in conjunction with the people interested in, or with an expert knowledge of, the species. Drafts have been sent to relevant Conservation Boards for comment and to people interested in conservation management of tuatara. Minor changes to the plan were made as a result of that consultation.
The recovery group will now review progress in implementation of this plan and will recommend to the Department any changes that may be required in management. Comments and suggestions regarding conservation of tuatara are welcome and should be directed to the recovery group via any office of the Department or to the Biodiversity Recovery Unit.
The recovery planning process provides opportunities for further consultation between the Department and the tangata whenua and others over species management. Those interested in being more involved in species management or in receiving information should also contact the recovery group.
The Central Regional Office of the Department of Conservation formally approved this plan in May 2001. A review of the plan is due after 10 years (2011), or sooner if new information leads to proposals for a significant change in management direction. It will remain operative until a reviewed plan has been prepared and implemented.
Tuatara recovery plan
2001–2011
THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN 47
Published by: Biodiversity Recovery Unit Department of Conservation P. O. Box 10-420 Wellington, New Zealand Cover: Cook Strait tuatara, an unnamed subspecies of Sphenodon punctatus, on Takapourewa (Stephens Island). Photograph by Paddy Ryan.
Prepared by Peter Gaze, Department of Conservation, Nelson/Marlborough Conservancy
© 2001, Department of Conservation
ISSN: 1170-3806 ISBN: 0-478-22131-2 CONTENTS
Abstract 7
1. Introduction 8
2. Distribution and population trends 8
3. Causes of decline and threats 10
4. Species ecology and biology 10
5. Past conservation efforts 12
6. Long-term recovery goal 13
7. Options for meeting the long-term recovery goal 14
8. Objectives for the term of the plan 15
9. The role of captive management of tuatara 15
10. Workplan 16
11. Research priorities 25
12. Review date 26
13. References 27
Appendix 1 29 Inventory of islands
Abstract
This recovery plan succeeds the earlier plan (Cree and Butler 1993) which guided tuatara conservation during the past decade and saw major achievements that have placed the species in a far less vulnerable position. Rats have been eradicated from several island habitats, and tuatara have been translocated to other islands in the hope of establishing new wild populations. Research and enhanced animal husbandry techniques have led to successful incubation of eggs and raising of juveniles in captivity. This increased productivity has been used to augment relict populations and provide animals for new wild populations.
Future work will focus on advocating for the eradication of rats from Little Barrier (Hauturu), Mauitaha and Hen (Taranga) Islands and in maintaining the pest-free status of other island habitats. Further translocations are planned as part of the long- term objective of establishing wild populations of tuatara throughout their pre- human range.
The potential to use tuatara in education, to enhance public awareness of conservation issues, and for research are all promoted within the plan. All are seen as essential for long-term conservation of the species. The increased involvement of iwi is essential if the plan is to succeed.
7 1. Introduction
Tuatara are rare, medium-sized reptiles (adults ranging from about 300 g to 1000 g) found only in New Zealand. They are the only extant members of the Order Sphenodontia, which was well represented by many species during the age of the dinosaurs, some 200 million years ago. All species apart from the tuatara declined and eventually became extinct about 60 million years ago. Tuatara are therefore of huge international interest to biologists and are also recognised internationally and within New Zealand as species in need of active conservation management.
Tuatara once lived throughout the mainland of New Zealand but survived in the wild on 32 offshore islands. These islands were characteristically free of rodents and other introduced mammalian predators and occupied by breeding colonies of seabirds that contributed to the fertility and hence the richness of invertebrate and lizard fauna needed by tuatara. Tuatara have since been translocated to a further three islands that they presumably inhabited in the past (Figure 1).
Current taxonomy recognises two species of tuatara, and one of these is considered to comprise two subspecies. The northern tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus punctatus) is present on islands from the Bay of Plenty north and the Cook Strait tuatara (S. punctatus), an unnamed subspecies, is present on Takapourewa (Stephens Island) and the Trio Islands in Marlborough Sounds. The other species is the Brothers Island tuatara (S. guntheri) known naturally from one small island in the Marlborough Sounds.
According to the ranking system currently used by the Department of Conservation (Molloy and Davis 1994), Brothers Island tuatara is in Category ‘A’ (requiring urgent recovery work), and the northern and Cook Strait tuatara are in Category ‘B’ (requiring work in the short term). In view of conservation work over the past 10 years all tuatara are now in a slightly more secure position.
2. Distribution and population trends
Tuatara were once widely distributed over the North and South Islands. They declined during the last 1000–2000 years and probably became extinct there by the late 1700s (Newman 1878, Buller 1894). They now survive in the wild only on offshore islands in Cook Strait and to the east of the North Island from Bay of Plenty to Northland. During the past 100 years tuatara populations have become extinct on 10 of these islands (Cree and Butler 1993).
Tuatara are currently present on 35 islands ranging in size from 0.4–3100 ha (Appendix 1). Seven of these islands are in Cook Strait although two of these have only recently had tuatara introduced to them. All other islands are on the east coast of the North Island from Bay of Plenty to Northland, including one where tuatara
8 have recently been introduced. It is estimated that northern tuatara total some 10,000, Cook Strait tuatara consist of some 45,000 (of which at least 30,000 are on Takapourewa) and Brothers Island tuatara is the least numerous at some 400 adults.
The number of populations and the number of individual tuatara have been declining up until very recently. Only during the last decade has the threat of predation and competition by rats been removed from several islands, allowing for greater productivity in these populations. The eradication of rats on other islands has allowed tuatara to be introduced with the intention of establishing new populations and extending the range of the species.
In addition to these wild populations, tuatara are kept in captivity in New Zealand and overseas. Details of these animals and the protocols for their management are described in Blanchard (in press).
Figure 1. Present distribution of tuatara. More detail on each island is provided in Appendix 1.
Poor Knights group (5 islands)
Hen & Chickens group (5 islands) Little Barrier Island Cuvier Island
Mercury group (4 islands)
Aldermen group (7 islands)
Karewa Island Plate Island Moutoki Island Moutohora Island
Takapourewa Island Trios group (3 islands) Titi Island
North Matiu/Somes Island Brother Island
Northern tuatara
Cook Strait tuatara
Brothers tuatara
9 3. Causes of decline and threats
There is good evidence to link the decline of tuatara with the presence of rats: Norway rat Rattus norvegicus, ship rat R. rattus and particularly the Pacific rat R. exulans (Crook 1973). A survey of most tuatara islands (Cree and Butler 1993) showed that in the presence of rats, tuatara numbers were low, some adults were in poor condition and there were few, if any, juveniles in the population. This effect is probably from the joint impacts of direct predation by rats on small tuatara and their eggs, and competition between tuatara and rats for food resources. Ten island populations of tuatara became extinct during the twentieth century (Cree and Butler 1993), and rats were present with each of these. Cats were also present on some islands. Indirect evidence of the impact of rats on tuatara comes from the observed ability for lizard populations to recover after rodent eradication (Towns 1996). Tuatara had gone from the mainland of New Zealand before the arrival of pakeha, so it is reasonable to assume again that the Pacific rat was a major impact.
While a primary cause of decline for an island population may be removed by the eradication of rats, other threats remain. Paramount amongst these is that rats could be accidentally re-introduced to the island. Change to the island habitat is also a risk, whether it is gradual or the result of a catastrophic event such as fire. Illegal capture of tuatara has occurred and poses a continual threat with the rising international demand for more animals.
All of these threats are greater on small islands that have less ability to buffer the impact of change. Also, small populations on small islands are vulnerable to loss of genetic variation and other random influences.
4. Species ecology and biology
While appearing superficially similar to some other reptiles, tuatara and other sphenodontians are characterised, in particular, by unique dentition in which a single row of lower teeth fits into a groove between two rows of upper teeth.
Among living reptiles, tuatara are also characterised by the following suite of features: •a specialised jaw movement which allows the teeth to exert a shearing effect, • small bony uncinate processes on the ribs, •a complete lower temporal arch in the skull, • the lack of a male intramittent organ.
Tuatara are now restricted to offshore islands where they live in burrows in coastal forest or scrub. They are most active at night but also bask in the sun during the day. Activity is greatest in warm wet weather (Walls 1983). Habitat requirements have been investigated by Crook (1973), Newman (1987), Carmichael et al.(1989) and others. Most information arises from work on Takapourewa but is consistent with what is known from other tuatara populations.
10 The following habitat features are considered favourable for long-term survival of a population: • coastal forest or scrub with a relatively open understorey and little ground cover, •friable soil for digging burrows, • ambient air temperatures varying seasonally between 5o and 28oC, •generally high relative humidity with regular heavy rain (although standing water is not necessary), •a lack of introduced mammals, •a diverse invertebrate fauna (preferably including tree weta and Mimopeus beetles), small lizards and small nesting seabirds (particularly fairy prions and diving petrels), •areas suitable for nesting that are open and sunny, preferably with a northern aspect and with moist soil to a depth of c.0.5 m.
In addition to these ideal requirements there are significant advantages for tuatara on islands greater than 10 ha because these islands have the potential to support larger, and hence more resilient populations.
Studies on Takapourewa and elsewhere (Walls 1981, Moller 1985, Carmichael et al. 1989, Cree et al. 1999 and Ussher 1999) indicate that tuatara feed on small, moving prey such as insects, spiders, isopods, earthworms, lizards and seabird chicks. Research suggests that small birds may be beneficial (Cartland-Shaw et al.1998) though not necessarily essential (Blair et al. 2000) in the diets of tuatara. The indirect benefits of being sympatric with seabird colonies (enhanced soil fertility and greater density of invertebrates) are more apparent.
Adult tuatara have few natural predators. The Australasian harrier and NZ falcon will prey on tuatara of all ages, the NZ kingfisher is known to prey on juvenile tuatara and it is possible that moreporks and black backed gulls also take some. The Pacific rat is still present on some tuatara islands prompting debate on the likely ill effect they may have. There is good evidence (Cree and Butler 1993) that Pacific rats severely restrict recruitment of young animals to the population, and their presence will lead to depauperate faunas of invertebrates, lizards and small petrels on which tuatara feed. Ussher (1999) has shown that the kiore have a greater competitive advantage over tuatara in seral forest and suggests that the adverse impacts on diet will be less as modified habitats mature. Pacific rats and tuatara are now sympatric only on Little Barrier, Mauitaha and Hen Islands.
Our understanding of the breeding biology of tuatara comes mainly from Takapourewa (e.g. Cree and Butler (1993), Cree (1994) and Newman et al. (1994)). Males become sexually mature when they reach a snout-vent length (SVL) of about 180 mm but may not get an opportunity to breed until they grow much larger. Mating occurs during January–March when the male holds a territory and will display to ward off intruders and to court receptive females. Females will breed at 13 years and a SVL of c.170 mm. The slow rate of egg yolk production (vitellogenesis) means that wild females do not breed annually, the average time between clutches being 4 years. In the year that breeding does occur, the female will ovulate within 1–2 months of mating and carries the eggs in her oviduct, where they will slowly become shelled, until laying in October–December.
Egg laying occurs in small excavated burrows at preferred sites that are characteristically in the open and exposed to the north. On average 9–10 eggs are
11 laid in the nest which is then back-filled and guarded for several days before being abandoned. During the 11–16 month incubation period many eggs are destroyed by other burrowing females or succumb to desiccation and insect predation. Hatching success is about 42%. During the first 2 months the hatchlings are diurnal, but within a year they begin to burrow and become nocturnal.
Incubation of tuatara eggs in a controlled environment has a greater hatching success rate and has also demonstrated that incubation temperature has an influence in determining sex (Cree et al. 1995).
5. Past conservation efforts
Significant progress has been made over the past decade in providing better security for tuatara (Towns et al. in press). This has been possible through: •technical and operational advances in the ability to eradicate rodents from islands, •developing expertise to induce egg-laying and artificial incubation, •refined animal husbandry techniques to keep adults and raise juveniles in captivity, •ability to transfer and release tuatara into new wild environments, • co-operation of several iwi in endorsing various translocations of tuatara.
Specific conservation gains include the following:
1. In 1995 18 adult and 50 juvenile Brothers Island tuatara were transferred to Titi Island in Cook Strait where their establishment was monitored. Two years later more than half of the animals had been re-sighted and all had increased in weight except for one female which was suspected to have just laid eggs (Nelson 1998).
2. In 1998 an attempt was made to establish a third wild population of Brothers Island tuatara with the transfer to Matiu Island of 20 wild caught adults and 34 captive juveniles. The juveniles were from eggs previously induced from wild females. This move made tuatara more accessible for viewing by the public than ever before.
3. In 1990/91 tuatara were removed from Stanley, Red Mercury and Cuvier Islands and kept in captivity while Pacific rats were eradicated from those islands. The captive stock from each island was kept separate. Two of the Red Mercury females were induced to lay and these eggs gave rise to a further 26 juveniles. The animals from Cuvier and Stanley Islands also bred in captivity. The eradication operations were successful and the tuatara are being returned to their home islands, which are now capable of sustaining these populations.
4. In 1991/92 only eight tuatara could be found surviving on Little Barrier Island, and these adults were transferred into captivity on the island where they could breed, without predation of eggs, pending eradication of Pacific rats. Since then, eggs laid by the captive females have been incubated at Victoria University leading to an additional 42 offspring by mid 1999. These offspring have been returned to Little Barrier where they are being held in an enclosure.
12 5. Pacific rats were eradicated from, Whatupuke in 1993, Lady Alice Island in 1994 and Coppermine Island in 1997 (all within the Hen and Chickens group). Juvenile tuatara have since been seen for the first time on all of these islands, indicative of successful recruitment. This is in contrast to Hen Island where the rats are still present and no juvenile tuatara are seen. The three rat-free populations should now be sustainable without further direct management.
6. In 1992 Pacific rats were eradicated from Middle Chain Island in the Aldermen Islands to eliminate the risk of rats swimming to adjacent islands with tuatara populations.
7. In 1996 32 adult northern tuatara were transferred from Moutoki Island (in the Rurima group) to Moutohora (Owen1998). This transfer has the potential to form a new population established on an island with a potential carrying capacity of c. 8500 and will eventually allow public access to tuatara in the wild because the island does not have the same legal restrictions as nature reserves.
8. In preparation for the establishment of new wild populations 432 young Cook Strait tuatara are being raised in captivity at Victoria University. The young animals will be available for settlement on a new island when they are about five years old (2004). In preparation for this, a rodent eradication operation has been conducted on the Rangitoto Islands east of D’Urville Island.
6. Long-term recovery goal
The genetic diversity of tuatara will be maintained by returning all existing populations to their natural levels and establishing new wild populations of tuatara throughout their pre-human range as components of healthy ecosystems.
13 7. Options for meeting the long- term recovery goal
Option 1
Do nothing. Work over the last decade has successfully enhanced existing habitat, re-introduced tuatara to several islands previously inhabited by rats and increased security for many populations. It could be argued that now is the time to stand back and allow the species to take advantage of these improved conditions. A lack of further active management will, however, see: • the ultimate demise of populations on Little Barrier, Mauitaha and Hen Islands owing to the predatory and competitive effects of rats, •restoration initiatives for other islands proceeding without tuatara included in the new suite of species, •a decline in island security which will place existing populations under greater risk, •a decline in the public knowledge and appreciation of the species and related conservation issues.
Option 2
Maintain existing initiatives, but do not establish new wild populations nor increase public accessibility to tuatara. It is likely that the three tuatara populations on rat-infested islands will still suffer if there is not a strong recovery plan mandate. The restoration of tuatara on other islands such as Stanley, Cuvier and Red Mercury will continue to be monitored as will the establishment of the three new wild populations. However, without a continued effort to return tuatara to suitable islands the species will remain relatively vulnerable to accidental misfortune.
Option 3
Maintain and pursue all current initiatives. Security of island populations is enhanced, rodents are eradicated where they co- exist with tuatara, captive management is used to raise (head-start) animals for new wild populations and the public is encouraged to learn and participate in this work. These techniques are known to work, and their active implementation will lead to a significantly less vulnerable status for all tuatara taxa within the term of this plan.
The management of captive tuatara is acknowledged as an essential element in the recovery of tuatara and as an aid in researching better knowledge of the species.
Preferred Option Option 3 has been chosen for the duration of this plan.
14 8. Objectives for the term of the plan
1. The genetic diversity of all existing tuatara stock is preserved.
2. Tuatara are reinstated as components of healthy ecosystems throughout their pre-human range.
3. Public awareness of tuatara and related conservation issues will be promoted through accessibility to captive animals and certain wild populations of tuatara.
9. The role of captive management of tuatara
Tuatara of all three taxa are held in a range of captive facilities throughout New Zealand. At one time these captive populations were regarded as an essential safeguard in case of disaster striking the wild populations. Given the success of conservation measures in the wild this is no longer a valid justification for holding these animals in captivity. Captive management of tuatara, however, still plays a vital role in increasing the productivity of threatened populations, raising young for wild releases, providing a resource for research purposes and providing an opportunity to raise public awareness of tuatara and associated conservation issues.
15 10. Workplan
OBJECTIVE 1. THE GENETIC DIVERSITY OF ALL EXISTING TUATARA STOCK IS PRESERVED.
The aim is to maintain all existing wild populations of tuatara on their current islands. This requires stringent measures to minimise existing threats through such measures as rodent eradication where this is still necessary and, through effective management of island security, to reduce the chance of new threats becoming established.
Action 1.1. Maintain the predator-free status of islands inhabited by tuatara. Techniques used to keep predators off these islands must be practical and effective and executed to a consistent standard by conservancies. When this guidance has been provided it becomes the responsibility of each conservancy to incorporate these standards into their own island quarantine and contingency plans.
TABLE 1. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO MAINTAIN PREDATOR-FREE ISLANDS INHABITED BY TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Central Regional Office Hgigh Establish standard operatin Deocuments completed. Immediat Northland, Auckland, procedure for all visits to Waikato, Bay of Plenty, predator-free islands. Wellington, Nelson/Marlborough
Hdigh Development an Procedures and Immediate implementation of predator resources in place to strategies for all islands that manage visitor are consistent with best quarantine and practice to prevent contingency planning colonisation and which and resources available present effective contingency in case of colonisation. arrangements should these fail.
Action 1.2. The department will seek the support of iwi to eradicate Pacific rats from islands where they are present with tuatara. Little Barrier Island is of immense significance for the conservation of northern tuatara because it is the only example of tuatara in kauri forest and it is one of the few islands with the potential to support a population of many thousands of this sub-species. The surviving tuatara from this island and their progeny are held in captivity on the island to keep them safe from competition for resources and predation.
16 Hen Island also has great potential for the conservation of northern tuatara given its size (500 ha). At present the population is at a vulnerably low level: less than 43 individuals seen in the last 16 years and no juveniles seen since 1989.
Tuatara have only recently been discovered on Mauitaha. The size of this population is unknown but likely to be only a few individuals.
No juvenile tuatara have been observed on islands where rats are also present. It is presumed that the species has survived on these islands only because of the longevity of the adults.
TABLE 2. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ERADICATE PACIFIC RATS FROM ISLANDS INHABITED BY TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Ahuckland Hiig Obtain agreement from iw Eradication of rats Operations and secure funding for rat recruitment of wild completed eradication from at least Little juveniles to these by winter Barrier and Hen Islands. populations. 2002. Neorthland Moderat
Action 1.3. Develop and maintain an appropriate security system to discourage illegal visitors to the islands, to indicate if animals are being poached and to lead to the apprehension of any poachers. While the incidence of poaching may be extremely low at present it is known to occur. This activity not only poses a direct threat to fragile populations, but also increases the risk to island habitats through fire or introduction of rodents. Apprehension of offenders is important in discouraging the activity.
TABLE 3. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO PREVENT POACHING OF TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Wildlife Enforcement Hdigh Systems installed an Greater confidence in Report on Group and Conservancy operative where appropriate. security and knowledge progress – law enforcement staff of the level of risk. available for each recovery group Follow-up action prompt and meeting. appropriate.
Reports available for recovery group to assess effectiveness of these actions.
17 Action 1.4. The legal status of all islands with tuatara will be reviewed. The legal status of tuatara islands varies and places different restrictions on public access. The legal status was often gazetted under circumstances quite different from those today, and it is appropriate to re-assess how relevant the legal status is for the current circumstances. Emphasis will be on those islands with lesser rank than nature reserve or wildlife sanctuary.
TABLE 4. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO REVIEW LEGAL STATUS OF ISLANDS INHABITED BY TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Northland, Auckland, Loow Reports on assessment t Recommended changes Reports to Waikato, Bay of Plenty recovery group. incorporated within recovery Wellington, ‘ best practice’ manual. group by Nelson/Marlborough 2002 and action to follow.
Action 1.5. Monitor trends in island populations or their habitats that may warrant management intervention. It is a difficult and lengthy research task to determine population parameters for tuatara, let alone trends in these over time. The need for a simple, effective and rapid survey technique has been identified as a research priority. Changes in habitat or potential changes in those factors most likely to cause a decline (weeds, pests, revegetation or modification owing to muttonbirding visits) are easier to detect and manage than tuatara populations themselves. Such ‘monitoring’ of island populations must be recorded and discussed in conservancy reports to the recovery group. Effective and efficient monitoring methods that become available will be described in the ‘best practice’ manual.
TABLE 5. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MONITORING ISLANDS INHABITED BY TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Northland, Auckland, Hoigh Visit all islands as required t Aware of population Report on Waikato, Bay of Plenty obtain early detection of changes in time to take this Wellington, threats/habitat changes. appropriate remedial annually. Nelson/Marlborough action.
Meoderate Population studies wher Dependent threatened, e.g. habitat on changes, small or with appropriate predators techniques.
18 Action 1.6. Survey islands and stacks likely to hold unknown relict populations. It is possible that tuatara may be present on Archway (Poor Knights), Mokohinau Islands, Needles (north of Great Barrier) and also Whenuakuru and Hauturu (Clarke) Islands (near Whangamata). Some searching has occurred on these islands, but there is still the possibility of tuatara being present. Careful night-time searches may still reveal tuatara on other islands even though they have been visited regularly.
TABLE 6. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SURVEYING ISLANDS LIKELY TO HOLD UNKNOWN POPULATIONS OF TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Northland, Auckland, Meoderate Identified islands should b Aware of all Conclusive Waikato, Bay of Plenty, searched by day and night. populations and able to results for East Coast take appropriate 2003 management. meeting.
Action 1.7. Enhance the recovery of relict populations using captive breeding. Captive breeding has played an essential role in the recovery of several island populations already, and this work must continue. The ageing and declining population on Hen Island must be managed through the incubation of eggs and raising of juveniles in a predator-free environment. This could either be on the island, as is the case with Little Barrier or by a repeat of the captive management that occurred with tuatara from Red Mercury, Stanley and Cuvier. While captive breeding is an effective tool, it is expensive and is essentially a short-term measure only. Captive breeding must be used in conjunction with restoration of the original habitat.
TABLE 7. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENHANCE RECOVERY OF POPULATIONS USING CAPTIVE BREEDING.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Recovery Group, Hdigh Return captive-raise Viable wild Ongoing Auckland, Waikato juveniles, as decided by populations. Northland recovery group.
Hgigh Investigate safe breedin First eggs facilities for Hen Island tuatara collected by either in situ or ex situ. November 2002.
19 OBJECTIVE 2. TUATARA ARE REINSTATED AS COMPONENTS OF HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THEIR PRE- HUMAN RANGE
Tuatara were a significant element of many ecosystems in New Zealand. An increasing variety of such habitats, not just on islands, is being restored by removal or reduction of alien species. The next step of restoration is to re-introduce elements which have been lost. In certain circumstances this should include tuatara. The techniques of incubation, head-starting and transfer have now been developed.
The holding of captive tuatara plays a vital role in this objective. The details are described in the management plan for captive tuatara.
Action 2.1. Criteria are developed that define suitable new locations for the establishment of tuatara; and these locations identified. These criteria will relate to the size of the habitat, the extent to which it must be free of predators, invertebrate richness, presence of other key species, potential for conflict with other conservation goals, potential for public access and education and security from poaching. The approved criteria will be incorporated within a ‘best practice’ manual for tuatara conservation.
TABLE 8. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO DEVELOP CRITERIA THAT DEFINE SUITABLE NEW LOCATIONS FOR TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Rhecovery group Hdig Criteria to be defined an Sites to be managed in 2002 listed in ‘ best practice’ preparation of eventual manual. transfer.
Action 2.2. Preservation of the historic and geographic patterns of tuatara distribution. As a guiding principle, tuatara should not be established in the wild outside their original range. In this regard East Island remains an enigma because it is not known which tuatara taxon once inhabited the island. Consultation with iwi is a vital early consideration for any translocation proposal.
20 TABLE 9. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO PRESERVE HISTORIC AND GEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF TUATARA DISTRIBUTION.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Whaikato Heig Transfer of tuatara to Middl A3nimals transferred. 200 Chain from Aldermen Islands.
Ahuckland Hiig Transfer of tuatara to Tiritir A3nimals transferred. 200 Matangi from Aldermen Islands.
Nmelson/Marlborough Moediu Transfer of tuatara t A4nimals transferred. 200 Rangitoto Group from Takapourewa.
Rmecovery group Mfediu Support of translocation o At least six Continual tuatara to the wild within the translocations to the known range of the taxa. wild attempted.
Rmecovery group Msediu Assessment of previou At least six 2010 transfers. translocations to the wild regarded as successful.
Action 2.3. Assess potential impacts on source populations prior to any transfer from the wild. A thorough understanding of the source population, its size, structure and sex ratio, is necessary before harvesting from the wild. For example, a study on North Brother (Nelson 1998) has shown the population to be relatively small and with a skewed sex ratio. The findings provided cautionary advice for further harvesting of wild animals from this island. Nevertheless, these data must be balanced against the knowledge that small populations may be regulated by the restricted habitat. Removal of some animals from the population may allow increased opportunities for juveniles to become established.
TABLE 10. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ASSESS IMPACTS OF TRANSFERS FROM WILD ON SOURCE POPULATIONS.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Northland, Auckland, Meedium Provide documented evidenc Retention of viability of When Waikato, Bay of Plenty, of the state of the population donor population. appropriate. Nelson/Marlborough and the expected impact with any transfer proposal.
21 Action 2.4. Protocols for translocation of tuatara into the wild will be compiled and published within a ‘best practice’ manual. Details should include: head starting techniques, sex and age ratios for the founding population, total number of animals, requirements for supplementary transfers, time of year, packaging, introductory burrows as well as the need to monitor the success of the operation. The approved document will be included in the ‘best practice’ manual. The recovery group will encourage conservation managers to publish the results of all attempted translocations.
TABLE 11. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO DEVELOP ‘BEST PRACTICE’ FOR TRANSLOCATION OF TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Rwecovery group Ldo Protocols prepared an P2rotocols available. 200 included in ‘ best practice’ manual.
Action 2.5. Establish sustainable captive populations of tuatara from existing stock. The technique of obtaining eggs from wild tuatara, artificial incubation of the eggs and captive raising of the young will be used as a tool in the establishment of new populations. This work relies heavily on the scientific expertise of universities, the husbandry skills of zoos and the willingness of these institutions to be actively involved in the conservation of tuatara. Advantages of captive raising of tuatara are that productivity in a controlled environment is much greater than in the wild. Caution must be exercised to ensure fitness and gender ratios of young tuatara raised in captivity.
TABLE 12. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE CAPTIVE POPULATIONS OF TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Rhecovery group Heig Sustain a healthy captiv Viability and genetic Ongoing population of tuatara. diversity of captive stock is retained.
Non-DOC agencies are encouraged and Support institutions involved supported in this work. in approved ‘ head-starting’ programmes. New healthy wild populations.
22 OBJECTIVE 3. PUBLIC AWARENESS OF TUATARA AND RELATED CONSERVATION ISSUES WILL BE PROMOTED THROUGH ACCESSIBILITY TO CAPTIVE ANIMALS AND CERTAIN WILD POPULATIONS OF TUATARA.
It is possible that tuatara, more than any other animal in New Zealand, has captured the public imagination through its ancient lineage and the fascinating story of its biology and conservation management. Unlike other large native vertebrates it can be approached closely, moved easily and even handled without impacting greatly on the individual or the conservation of the species. Close encounters with tuatara are captivating for both young and old people and have proven to be an effective medium for advocating conservation.
With the recent success of several initiatives for conservation of tuatara, the need to retain captive tuatara as an ‘insurance’ population is far less relevant. Meanwhile those tuatara that are held in captivity (see the full list in the plan for management of captive tuatara) are breeding and the survival of young is improving. The production of young from captive-raised animals is imminent. It is important that the captive tuatara stock is sustained through maximising the genetic diversity within each of the three taxa so that they might be retained for the greatest benefit to conservation, education and science.
Action 3.1. Promote controlled public access to certain wild populations of tuatara. Wild populations of tuatara have now been introduced to islands where controlled visits by the public are permitted. Matiu Island in Wellington Harbour and Motouhora in Bay of Plenty are examples. The risk of poaching or accidental introduction of rodents may be increased on such islands, but where the risk can be well managed the benefits of public visits are significant. Good management involves high quality interpretive material and active discouragement of interference with the animals. Some future transfer proposals will endeavour to pursue this objective.
TABLE 13. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROMOTE PUBLIC ACCESS TO WILD TUATARA.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Bay of Plenty, Maedium Manage access to tuatar Active encouragement 2002 Wellington, islands with lower status than of public access to Nelson/Marlborough nature/scientific reserve to tuatara on at least two and possibly others facilitate viewing islands. opportunities without risk to tuatara health or security.
All tuatara Mdedium Establish tuatara in the wil Introduction of tuatara 2006 conservancies? where controlled public to two other wild sites access is practical. where public access is encouraged.
23 Action 3.2. Knowledge of tuatara and their conservation is promoted through the appropriate use of captive tuatara. The plan for management of captive tuatara provides guidelines on how captive tuatara can be managed as an educational exhibit while minimising stress to the animals. The tuatara roadshow has done this well, under the supervision of staff from Victoria University. Indeed, it is the reverence for the animal that enhances the impact of presentations. Any initiative to re-establish the roadshow should be fully supported.
TABLE 14. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF TUATARA THROUGH USE OF CAPTIVE ANIMALS.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Rmecovery group Mfediu Encourage the formation o A re-vamped tuatara Before travelling educational visits roadshow is 2005. with tuatara. established.
All conservancies Encourage the use of captive Tuatara from >5 tuatara to promote awareness institutions are regularly of the species and its used for educational conservation. visits to schools etc.
Action 3.3. High quality interpretation about tuatara and the issues relating to them is available to visitors where captive tuatara are on display and where there is public access to wild populations. The public has opportunities to see tuatara in captivity at several public institutions. These visits and the added value of good interpretative material is encouraged. Improved facilities need to be arranged with institution staff but may include display panels or contributions to audio-visual displays.
TABLE15. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE TUATARA INTERPRETATION.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
All conservancies Mcedium Information at existing publi All institutions with on- Before with captive tuatara displays is up-dated and site public visits will be 2003. improved in quality. visited by conservancy staff and information provided for displays.
Substantial 2005 improvements at all public displays.
24 Action 3.4. Full use is made of the knowledge and skills available from iwi and other special interest groups when tuatara are managed for advocacy purposes. Involvement of iwi with any educational use of tuatara is important. The addition of cultural information adds value to the information normally presented on biology and conservation. Students and scientists have their own areas of expertise to contribute.
TABLE 9. PRIORITIES, TASKS, PEFORMANCE MEASURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO UTILISE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF IWI AND OTHER ASSOCIATES FOR TUATARA ADVOCACY.
CYO N S E R V A N C Y PKR I O R I T TEA S P E R F O R M A N C T I M I N G M E A S U R E
Amll conservancies Msediu All public display All displays meet this <2005 acknowledge significance to standard. iwi as appropriate.
Iwi are given the opportunity Most public Immediate to be involved with live presentations have iwi presentations. involvement.
11. Research priorities
TO OBTAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE OF TUATARA THROUGH RESEARCH
The achievements made in conservation of tuatara over the past decade have been largely possible owing to the application of knowledge gained from scientific research. In particular, this includes: recognition of Brothers Island tuatara as a separate species, ability to induce egg laying and to incubate and head start in captivity, confirmation of existence of temperature dependent sex determination and better knowledge of populations still surviving in the presence of the Pacific rat. Further research will undoubtedly have similar benefits.
The useful application of research is not always apparent at the outset, and some research may never influence management of tuatara but will contribute to our knowledge and understanding of the animal. There is international interest in tuatara from many scientific disciplines, but access to the animals is almost entirely controlled by the Department of Conservation. The Department has international responsibilities to facilitate this research, provided the conservation of tuatara and obligations to iwi are not adversely affected.
25 The ethics of genetic research has recently become an issue, particularly for iwi. Some genetic research has been absolutely vital for the conservation of tuatara, for instance, the determination that Brothers Island tuatara were a different species and warranted a greater share of the resources to ensure their conservation. Other research raises concerns of manipulation, loss of whakapapa and perhaps even ownership. The issue of individual marking of tuatara is another that needs to be worked through carefully—fortunately all parties accept that tuatara welfare is paramount.
The following research topics have been identified as being useful in leading to better conservation management:
•To better understand taxonomic relationships, including confirmation of the subspecific status for tuatara in Cook Strait. This has relevance in the allocation of resources for the conservation of tuatara and also in deciding whether or not it is acceptable to use animals from several islands for translocation to a new island. •To develop new methods for individual marking of tuatara. Individual marking is essential for many aspects of management and research. Passive transponders, inserted under the skin may have advantages over toe-clipping, but techniques are not well known and may not be suitable for all sizes of tuatara. •To investigate sex ratios in wild populations and their implications for population viability. •To better understand the determination of sex in tuatara. •To better understand Maori knowledge of tuatara. •To establish practical methods to census tuatara and to monitor population trends. At present this is only possible through intensive study and the use of mark/recapture techniques. •To establish population models for some crucial islands where size of the population, loss of heterogeneity and biased sex ratios may pose a threat to its viability. •To better understand the effects of stress on animals that are handled for display or management. •To understand the impact of potential predators such as weka, takahe and kiwi. •To investigate the existence and the role of commensal microorganisms. This has implications for the health of captive animals. •To investigate social behaviour including mate selection. •To study the diet of wild tuatara, including the interactions of juveniles with Pacific rats and the larger skinks. •To investigate the effects of making tuatara more accessible to the public – effects for tuatara and the public. •To investigate the characteristics of tuatara rookeries. •To investigate changes in the population (including population size, class structure and density) after removal of introduced mammals. •To better understand any adverse impacts of media and public interactions with tuatara so that the beneficial impacts may be safely maximised.
26 12. Review date
This plan, along with appended documents such as the captive management plan, is intended to guide management of tuatara until 2011. This process will be regularly reviewed through meetings of the Tuatara Recovery Group. Specific actions consistent with the plan and minor changes of direction as approved by the Regional General Manager (Central) will be recorded in the minutes of the group meetings. In addition, a complementary ‘best practice’ manual will be developed.
13. References
Blair, T.; Cree, A.; Skeaff, C.; Grimmond, N. 2000: Physiological effects of a fish oil supplement on captive juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). Physiological Biochemistry and Zoology.
Blanchard, B. In press: Management plan for captive tuatara. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
Buller, W. L. 1894: Illustration of Darwinism. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 11: 349–351.
Carmichael, C. K.; Gillingham, J. C.; Keall, S. N. 1989: Feeding ecology of the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) on Stephens Island based on niche diversification. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 16: 269 (abstract).
Cartland-Shaw, L. K.; Cree, A.; Skeaff, C. M.; Grimmond, N. M. 1998: Differences in dietary and plasma fatty acids between wild and captive populations of a rare reptile, the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 168: 569–580.
Cree, A.; Butler, D. 1993: Tuatara recovery plan. Threatened species recovery plan 9. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
Cree, A. 1994: Low and annual reproductive output in female reptiles from New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 21: 351–372
Cree, A.; Thompson, M. B.; Daugherty, C. H. 1995: Tuatara sex determination. Nature 375 (6352): 543.
Cree, A.; Lyon, G.; Cartland-Shaw, L.; Tyrrell, C. 1999: Stable carbon isotope ratios as indicators of marine versus terrestrial inputs to the diets of wild and captive tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 26: 243–253.
Crook, I. G. 1970: Tuatara. Wildlife – A Review 2: 16–19.
Crook, I. G. 1973: The tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus Gray, on islands with and without populations of the Polynesian rat, Rattus exulans (Peale). Proceedings of the New Zealand Ecological Society 20: 115–120.
Daugherty, C. H.; Cree, A.; Hay, J. M.; Thompson, M. B. 1990: Neglected taxonomy and continuing extinctions of tuatara (Sphenodon). Nature 347 (6289): 177–179.
Moller, H. 1985: Tree wetas (Hemideina crassicruris) (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae) of Stephens Island, Cook Strait. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 12: 55–69.
Molloy, J.; Davis, A. 1994: Setting priorities for the conservation of New Zealand’s threatened plants and animals. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
27 Nelson, N. 1998: Conservation of Brothers Island tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). Thesis submitted as partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Conservation Science, Victoria University of Wellington (unpublished).
Newman, A. K. 1878: Notes on the physiology and anatomy of the tuatara (Sphenodon guntheri). Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 10: 222–239.
Newman, D. G. 1987: Tuatara. John McIndoe, Dunedin.
Newman, D.; Watson, D.; McFadden, I. 1994: Egg production by tuatara on Lady Alice and Stephens Island. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 21: 387–398.
Owen, K. 1998: Introduction of northern tuatara to Moutohora Island, Bay of Plenty. Ecological Management 6: 23–33. Department of Conservation, Wellington.
Thompson, M. B. 1990: Incubation of eggs of tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus. Journal of Zoology; London 222: 303–318.
Towns, D. R. 1996: Changes in habitat use by lizards on a New Zealand island following removal of the introduced Pacific rat Rattus exulans. Pacific Conservation Biology 2: 286–292.
Towns, D. R.; Daugherty, C. H.; Cree, A. In press: Raising the prospects for a forgotten fauna: a review of ten years of conservation effort for New Zealand reptiles. Biological Conservation.
Ussher, G. T. 1999: Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) feeding ecology in the presence of kiore (Rattus exulans). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 26: 117–125.
Walls, G. Y. 1981: Feeding ecology of the tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) on Stephens Island, Cook Strait. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 4: 89–97.
Walls, G. Y. 1983: Activity of the tuatara and its relationships to weather conditions on Stephens Island, Cook Strait, with observations on geckos and invertebrates. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 10: 309–318.
28 Appendix 1
INVENTORY OF ISLANDS
Status of current tuatara populations
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D9 D e e s v v v v v N r r r r r E u e e e e e E o S A s s s s s V h e e e e e R t L U R R R R R R h e U g T E e e e e e v i r r r r r r D L S N A u u u e u u t t t t t s d N E E T a a a a a e n R S A T NA Nd NA Nd N a R ) 0 . . . . 2e A 9 0 3 0 E 7e 0 8 7 H R 5. 0 1e 3e ( A ) a r e g e n n i D i ) r a r r a u m N a a r r h B r T a u e A t t ( e i p i e u l L u n v p t a a t e o u S i H IA C5 M6 H0 L ( C0 31 , 9 9 E n n 8 8 A i i 1 C 9 9 M 9 R 1 1 d d N 9 n n M n n A 1 u u i i E r o o 0 T s s f f S 0 o y y 9 A e e e e E 9 L 8 0 v v n n 1 9 F r r U R 1 V o o e e e r 9 u u P O T S Y Y N s o N s 1 Y , , y y t t N e i i v v b i i O t t e y I b p p ) ) a a a d d d T y m c c n n n a a a 1 A 1 a o o o l l ( ( s m t t Y s s L i i w u s s 6 t L d d d d o n n n n U e e e e t t h e e E r r s s E o o v v t t t P a a d d o o e e K Z e e n n l l w w w v v m m O I I i i u u e e o t l t l e e L P S Ls Hs F r a a F r a a Hs - 4 1 7 31 0 A D E 3s 4s 15 1s R E O P A T P T I . 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A 3 2e 9 5 2 E 1e 9e 2 3e H R 2e ( A p u p o u i r o u y r G ) n r - u G D u n a h c e i u y r t N r h i e m y a e u h A l r n e M c l d m e e w L r n a d e d a d e i a r l S e u t K IA M M1 G3 S ( R0 A R5 32 E 9 A i 8 C M 9 R d 1 N n M A u E n i o T f S 0 y A e e E L 8 v n F r U R 1 V o e e e e e e u P O T S Y Y N s Y Y ? Y Y d d N e e r r o O d d n e I n n o c u u T n d d h h e ) e e A s r y s l Y e w w d a L r n o o n L d d d b l l P o U e e e u ( a E r r r – – E s h r ? P d d d e s s s a K Z t n n n c n n n n w a O I I e u u u e e e e o u a L P S Hs Ls Tn Ts Ts T t f Hs Hs - –s –s –f –s 7 5s 3s 1 A D E 1s 3s R E O P A T P T I . 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A 5 6 3e 1e 0e 0e 5e 0e E 2e 1e H R ( A d n n w n a r l o s i e y n I t t i h n k t i e – n k r t a y e ) D c l a ) a o l h l s a a u a a u n P t i r C P a r u N h S a r n o f n o f o a e r i i e A l u o o w l H h e g v l k t t d m e f t L e a r n c a o y l a H r d r r i a g o o a a a S u a t m s p M IA R0 H3 N ( a H5 N7 M S B K0 S p ( 33 E A C M R N M A E T S 0 A E L 8 s F U R 1 V e e e e e P O T S Y Y Y Y Y N n i y O d n I e a s d a T m e n o l f A a r e f s o Y s r L u l s d i L d t a o n l n i k U e 8 t h e E a r u E o t , t 1 s n t P d d – 6 e u K Z a u n t 0 9 w w o O o I I u o 5 2 9 e o h L P S Hs 1s 3 M 1 p t Ls Fs - 8 0 0 9 A D E 1s 30 3 5s . R E cm O P A T P T I . A L O U C T N . y s b r n e i t s y D t . h a n r s e s u t t t r o i r e N i o w u i y n g e t u w h o o . E b r , n A t . q i i 9 h s a D . d g t 1 t r e w 9 i i d p e r w 0 E n o o S 9 e i b a t w 0 c t t w i 1 i i d b C E a u 2 l r l r o s M a l i i c a d b I o b r l i f d U v b g S e a a . , u , d t e o t t T e n s t l i i p a l n a L M D t l o I r a r i a n a N r t s r t m m e y e i c t A r o r r s o O e V i b b f u s A e e s s i y g . b t s I l r i M s t t R a p p r d a l . n M i i i e i M I e e T e c e i . T w n t d C C m m m t n k i r n r r r s U d w n C N s e w o o O O i i N i a e e e w a n H A I A V p o D L D p O p N a p T K N3s T N s s y y y Y t t t r r s s E e e n n n u u l l T e e e n n l l l p p M I s s - - P P P w w r r E h h R o o n n f f f e e g g o o i i o o o n n G u u r r s s O l l y y y o o o o w w e e A a a a r r a a H o o o o B B B N N i i M M N T b b r r l l C C C C C s s r o r o A U u u a a a a O O O O O l l M A D p D p Ds D M M D M M - - i i i r r r D e o o o ) a a a g g d N E t u u e M M M f f E n S n ( ( ( A V e e e R y y y w R R L U , R r r r m o ) ) ) e e e a a a e U T f f i f f f f E d d d v u u u i i i g i i i r l l l l l l r t t t D e e e a S N A o e c c c d d d d d d n n n n l l l l l l a s i i i i i i N n E n n E a T e w w w a a a M R S A T W S o W ( W M R W W S o W S o ) 8 8 3 . . 4 2e A 2e 0e E 1e H R ( A d n a ) l n ) s s r I k e d p c h n e u t o t a o a i ) D l o a o u r r i l R s u r r o I o i T P a N s a T k h G n f e e r l o o A l m u o s h t t i a e t t d r t L o u u g h r o d i r u r o o i o S r a a M R W IA L p ( M ( M ( T M0 N1e 34 E A C t M e R N y M A E n T e S 0 e s A E L 8 t s F U R 1 V o e e e P O T S Y Y Y N t N l r a o r ) , O a e 5 N I v 2 9 e 8 d 9 T m 0 s 9 n 1 o 0 f A , a 1 r t l f o n l Y 0 s i L n I l u 3 d a L a a r d d n r t n i U a t a e s e E e a m E t t s a s n P h u a + w e t e u K Z t l t e e 0 w o o l O I I t o r 5 8 e e N h L P S Fs A ( 3s 6 B r p t - 0 7 0 A D E 0 4 7 . R E 0 5s ch O 2 P A t T P u T o I . A b L A0 O U C T N t d . k r u o s e c d e f t e . o l v . f s e t s o t i D g i 0 n b s t o t l t 0 9 4 7 c i e e i n 1 a S g a c 9 8 e 9 7 t u d i N m o 9 d . 8 9 C k l 8 8 e d l o f p e e ) 1 e a z 1 1 r 1 1 . A o t o p v 8 – r o w t D a i e r a s r o s s t a 8 t r r g d n o n g c r r e 0 f E ( b g 9 n i p n o o n S e n e e i c 9 a i s 1 l a d A i d a t 0 l l p p d m C f t E 8 e a i e a s ; ; s f 7 e e e r d r t e i 1 r I e e n 5 8 o s e 9 e e U e e n p i S r o v s 7 8 e v k k 1 k T a t u r s r p C w y 9 9 L e a D t i o a a l I e e e t d G r o e f 1 1 a N n O h s s C r e a A r e m n e . h O V i u u c d d . ) t D O c e h e A p c - r t t y r i I e e o o S . . . u f M R . . a ( b n n d v v d w h h . s 9 1 0 d o M d I T e e t t e e o o o o T w e 6 9 0 8 5 9 o s s n i l z n h r h r l c 8 8 % 7 r 9 9 9 U a e e C N a m m t g g o o l e N r r n e 9 9 0 9 r i i 1 1 1 e e s n H A I A N3s L – p Y i p r I 1 g – o r 1 3 L – P N 1 d , T n h h a g g N l A Y u u s i E S o o r u l T r r o M p M o o I a , s - - b b r E l l h h M R n n e r r g g o o a a n o G u u s s O t l l o o M M w e e t A r r / / H o c o o N N n n ) i e N T b b o o j r l l s s m C C C b A r o r l l i A U a a a S a u e e O O O O l s M A D M M D M ( c D N M D N - i r D o a v d N r E n M e E S ( a A s V e e , s s e R y y y L U R r r r u u R ) e e a a a U o o T f f f E e d v v u u u i i i h h r l l l r r t t t D e t t S N A e e u c c c d d d n h h l l l t s s i i i N n n E n E T g g a e e w i i a a a R S A T W S o W S L R W S L R NC ) 4e 5 3e A E 1e H R ( A r a e h w t D e o o d i r r r n u N B T a o l A s p d h h I t a t n L r i k u a t o l S a i o s IA S2e T0 N I T2 35 E A C t M e R N y M A E n T e S 0 e s A E L 8 t F U R 1 V o P O T S N d N l n a a r l , O s e 8 I I v 9 r e 9 T s o e 1 r f h f A t o n Y a i o L l r r d L a a d n i B U t t e E a E a s s h n P u t a e u K Z t r t e o l O I I o o 4 e h L P S 5 N r p t - 0 A D E 6 . R E cm O P A T P T I . A L O U C T N l D i t . n N s t u a A g r D d n e i p E i e S i f d i v h i u C E d l t s I o c c f U S n A o m i T L . D I n y n N 2 l A o o O e i V i A W t t v I i a M R a s W r c M I T i n T o t d t e s U C N t s a N o r e n H A I A I p r e T N Y E T M I E R n G O o t A H g n N i T l l A e U O M A D W i r D o t N E s i E S A h V / R L U c R i f U i T E t D S N n A e i N E E T c R S A T SC ) 5 2c A E H R ( A s e D m o N S / A d u i n L t a a l S s IA M I 36 Published recovery plans NUMBER SPECIES YEAR APPROVED 46 Chatham Island fantail, Chatham Island 2001 tomtit and Chatham Island warbler 45 Forbes’ parakeet and Chatham Island 2001 red-crowned parakeet 44 New Zealand shore plover 2001 43 Chatham Island shag and Pitt Island shag 2001 42 Chatham Island mollymawk, northern 2001 royal albatross, Pacific mollymawk 41 Chatham Island tui 2001 40 Black robin 2001 39 Parea 2001 38 Chatham Island oystercatcher 2001 37 Chatham petrel 2001 36 Chatham Island taiko 2001 35 Hoiho 2001 34 Pygmy button daisy 2001 33 Hebe cupressoides 2000 32 Inland Lepidium 2000 31 Muehlenbeckia astonii 2000 30 North Island kokako 1999 29 Weka 1999 28 Pittosporum patulum 1999 27 Cyclodina skinks 1999 26 Coastal cresses 1999 25 Threatened weta 1998 24 Striped skink 1998 23 Fairy tern 1997 22 Blue duck 1997 21 Kakapo 1996 20 Stitchbird 1996 19 Brown teal 1996 18 Native frogs 1996 17 New Zealand (Hooker’s) Sea Lion 1995 16 Dactylanthus taylorii 1995 15 Bat (peka peka) 1995 14 Otago and grand skinks 1995 13 Giant land snail 1995 12 Takahe 1994 11 South Island saddleback 1994 10 New Zealand Dotterel 1993 9Tuatara 1993 8Kowhai ngutukaka 1993 7 Subantarctic teal 1993 6 Mohua (yellowhead) 1993 5 Chevron skink 1993 4Black stilt 1993 3 Whitaker’s and robust skinks 1992 2 Kiwi 1991 1 North Island kokako 1991 –Yellow-eyed penguin* 1991 Available from DOC Science Publications, Science & Research Unit, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington. * Available from Otago Conservancy, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 5244, Dunedin.