EXCLUSIVE FOR WWF SUPPORTERS

CaRIng FOR KIWIPatrolling for predators in Coromandel

BLaCK PETRELSBusy beating the odds

SUCCESS!Shark finning in NZ to be stamped out

LOVE OUR gULFTell us why you love the Hauraki Gulf

ISSUE 10MAGAZINE

2014

Living PLanet – issue 10

P10 Hector’s HeLPersP3 coromandeL’s kiwi

P3 caring for coromandel’s kiwiP4 Black Petrels: Busy beating the oddsP6 success! shark finning stamped outP8 making the call for maui’s P9 news in briefP10 supporter news

weLcome From

cHris Howe

contents

Cover image: Blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) swimming in shallow crystal clear water, Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, Indian Ocean. © naturepl.com / Cheryl-Samantha Owen / WWF-Canon

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Welcome to your first edition of Living Planet for 2014.

In this edition, you can read about some surprising conservation partnerships – such as a poacher-turned-conservationist now protecting snow leopards, or the fishers who are joining the fight to save our endangered seabirds.

For conservation to succeed, people have to work in partnership. Late last year, the Government confirmed a ban on shark finning in New Zealand waters. This happened because of you, our most important partners.

2014 will be challenging. It’s a mast year, which means the threats to

our native birds will be greater than ever before. Your support is vital – helping back community projects during this challenging period, and supporting groups like Project Kiwi Trust in their mission to defend vulnerable kiwi chicks.

When we live in harmony with nature, everyone benefits – the animals, their habitats and people. I hope you enjoy reading how your partnership with WWF is making this happen.

WWF Executive Director

Living Planet Page 3

caring For coromandeL kiwi In January, WWF Head of NZ Projects Lee Barry visited one of New Zealand’s most successful conservation groups, Project Kiwi in the Coromandel.

When we received a phone-call from Project Kiwi’s Paula Williams last year, there was obvious concern on the other end of the line. A ferret had been spotted – hardly newsworthy you may think, however it had been spotted close to one of our largest and most important kiwi populations. It was worrying news.

On the Coromandel Peninsula, Waitaia is home to nearly 600 North Island Brown kiwi – a whopping 40 per cent of this rare type. Based at their off-grid eco house right in the midst of kiwi country, Jon and Paula Williams are the project’s live-in managers. When I joined them, they were preparing to search for two males, Blaze and Star, neither of whom has found mates this year.

Kiwi males are the dedicated house-husbands of the bird world. The female lays two enormous eggs in each clutch, and then leaves the male alone to incubate them. In the wild, roughly 95 per cent of kiwi chicks are killed by predators.

Thanks to Paula and Jon’s trapping efforts, over 30 per cent of their wild-hatched kiwi chicks survive.

As we drove on the rough winding track far above the clear blue bay, I started to see some of the traps laid out across the 2,850 hectare project area. Suddenly, Paula slammed on the brakes – and let out a whoop. “Got one! There’s a big fat stoat in that

trap – woohoo!” That’s what keeps her motivated – seeing her efforts pay off with one less killer on the loose.

Stoats and ferrets can easily kill kiwi, so it’s no wonder Paula was worried. After she rang, WWF agreed without hesitation to change the purpose of their Habitat Protection Fund grant so they could increase trapping efforts.

But it’s not just wild and wily predators putting kiwi at risk. Before Christmas, the local newspaper carried distressing news of a young kiwi put down at Auckland Zoo after being attacked by a fox terrier near Coromandel town.

But dogs can also help in kiwi conservation. Paula & Jon’s dog Jet is trained to find kiwi; pinpointing burrows so that males can be located, fitted with transmitters and their burrows found later for egg-lifts.

In partnership with the Tindall Foundation, and with your support, WWF support Project Kiwi through a Habitat Protection Fund grant. This season the Trust hopes to release their 100th kiwi. I hope my next trip to the Coromandel will see them one step closer to restoring Coromandel kiwi to the Kuaotunu peninsula.

Project Kiwi’s Paula Williams and WWF’s Lee Barry.

One of hundreds of predator trap boxes.

A brown kiwi.

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oF wiLd kiwi cHicks kiLLed By Predators95%

FieLd rePort

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Back from her latest trip to Great Barrier Island, we spoke to ecologist and petrel expert Elizabeth ‘Biz’ Bell to find out why black petrels are so precious and must be protected.

For a bird that flies with so much effortless grace, it seems peculiar that black petrel’s footwork on land is more stagger than swagger. But then many things about black petrels are unique, says Biz.

“When the petrels fledge they waddle up to a ledge or rock so they can launch themselves out into the bay,” says Biz. “When it comes time to land, they don’t bother looking for a nice smooth runway

– they prefer the crash-landing approach, dropping straight into the trees and making quite a racket in the process.”

Even putting their landing acrobatics aside, petrels’ approach to life on land is unique. They dig burrows, and a mating pair share incubation duties. This leaves one free to seek out food – with juicy squid the cuisine of choice.

However despite being regularly seen soaring across the Hauraki Gulf, black petrel populations appear to be on the decline. On Great Barrier Island, there are thought to be just 1500 breeding pairs remaining in the 35 hectares around the summit of Mount Hobson/Hirakimata.

“Unfortunately petrels face threats

both at land and at sea,” says

Biz. “Like many of our native birds,

introduced predators such as rats

and feral cats have reduced their

numbers, and they can also be

inadvertently caught by fishers.” For

such a small population, every death

has an impact.

When hunting, black petrels dive

under the ocean surface to catch their

prey. Biz’s latest research has revealed

that they dive deeper than previously

thought, as far as 27 metres.

“Understanding how deep they dive

has implications for the seabird-safe

BLack PetreLs: Busy Beating tHe odds

An adult Black Petrel on Great Barrier’s Mount Hobson. Biz and a Black Petrel.

27 metres BLack PetreLs dive under tHe ocean surFace to catcH tHeir Prey

Living Planet Page 5

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An adult Black Petrel flying across the Hauraki Gulf.

fishing devices we want to see adopted throughout the gulf,” says Biz.

These devices are needed because black petrels and other seabirds are particularly vulnerable around fishing vessels. They can be caught by hooks when diving near long lines and can also be trapped by nets.

“It’s obvious that fishers don’t want to catch black petrels or any seabirds on their lines,” she says. By introducing weighted lines and varying fishing times, it is hoped that black petrel and other seabird deaths can be reduced.

And it’s these same fishers that are now becoming the petrel’s greatest advocates. Biz takes groups of them to Great Barrier Island, giving them a chance to help on her petrel patrols. “Getting these guys off the boats and clambering up the hills to meet black petrels first-hand is so important for increasing awareness,” she says.

Thanks to your support, and with

our partners Southern Seabird

Solutions, we are working on a

number of projects in the Hauraki

Gulf to protect black petrels and

limit the impacts of bycatch.

Find out more about black

petrels at southernseabirds.org,

and read Chris Howe’s blog

about black petrels at

wwf.org.nz.

1500 Breeding

Pairs LeFt

Hauraki Gulf

great Barrier isLand

BLack PetreLs:Breeding areaPetrels only breed on Little Barrier and Great Barrier islands in the Hauraki Gulf

Oceanic whitetip shark and pilot fish, Central Pacific Ocean

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SucceSS! We are delighted to report that your support for our campaign has helped push the government into banning shark finning in New Zealand waters.

The first part of the ban will be implemented in October, with all sharks protected by 2016. The law change will mean it is only legal to cut the fin off dead sharks if the rest of the fish is used commercially.

WWF Head of Campaigns Peter Hardstaff said the government had gone a long way to ensuring New Zealand practices are in line with other countries.

“A ban on shark finning in New Zealand waters also shows how supporters making their voices heard can achieve great things. We are so thankful for your support,” he said.

Page 8 Living Planet

saving maui’s doLPHins

making tHe caLL For maui’s

When Scott Henderson spotted a grey shape under the water, he wasn’t sure what he was seeing at first.

“There was an instant when I began

to think the worst,” he said, “but

when I realized it was a dolphin, I

relaxed pretty quick!”

Scott was surfing at Waikato’s

Sunset Beach in January this year

when he spotted three Maui’s

dolphins. “They were surfing down

the waves, which I’ve never seen

before, and I probably got within

about 15 feet of them,” he said.

As soon as he reached land he

called the 08004MAUIS hotline to

report the sighting. “I spoke to the

guys at the surf club who had seen

the dolphins too, but they weren’t

convinced they were Maui’s,” he said.

“I got home and checked it out online,

and sure enough they had a rounded

dorsal fin. It was pretty amazing –

I had swum with the world’s

rarest dolphin!”

In September 2013, the government

announced 350 square kilometres

of additional protection for Maui’s

dolphins, a direct result of calls to

the Maui’s hotline and your support

of a WWF campaign to ban set-net

fishing across the Maui’s range.

Although the extension is a positive

step, we believe the government

should protect Maui’s throughout

their range and support the fishing

industry affected by net-fishing

bans. Without these measures, the

remaining 55 Maui’s dolphins are

heading for extinction.

“In December, a WWF commissioned

poll confirmed 62 percent of

New Zealanders supported financial

assistance for fishers to transition

to dolphin-safe fishing methods,”

said Milena Palka, WWF Marine

Species Advocate. “The government

should support those affected by

restrictions to use alternative gear

that is both economically viable

and prevents the accidental death

of Maui’s dolphins.”

Scott’s sighting also highlighted

the importance of calling in any

Maui’s sightings. “Calls to the Maui’s

hotline are vital to ensure we have

accurate and up-to-date information

on the locations of Maui’s dolphins,”

said Milena. “This information helps

decide what areas need set-net bans

– so it’s vital that every sighting, no

matter how fleeting, is called in.”

With better protection, sightings

such as Scott’s will hopefully

increase and not just be confined

to once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

“We are the ones doing all the

damage to them, and yet they still

come and swim with us. We have

to protect them,” said Scott.

iF you’re Lucky enougH to see a maui’s doLPHin, Let us know By caLLing 08004mauis and rePort tHe sigHting.

One of just 55 Maui’s dolphins left.

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news in BrieF

Love our GulfWe love the Hauraki Gulf. It’s on the doorstep of our biggest city, and is crammed full of stunning spots and cool critters.

Sea Change, the collaborative plan being developed for the future uses and protection of the Hauraki Gulf has just kicked off. WWF Head of NZ Projects Lee Barry says it is vital that the public has a say in the Gulf’s future. “We want to create opportunities for real conversations – to listen and learn why people love our Hauraki Gulf, where they love to visit and what they love to do there.”

The Love Our Gulf team and their funky beach scene set-up will be popping up around Auckland and Waikato to gather your views on the Gulf.

Find out where they’ll be next at facebook.com/loveourgulf.

Two snow leopard cubs captured on a camera-trap in Siberia.

Seeing spots Late last year we were delighted to see camera-trap footage showing two snow leopard cubs frolicking in the remote mountains of Siberia. It’s strong evidence that the once decimated population is bouncing back in Siberia.

Unfortunately despite the success, numbers of snow leopards in the wild are in decline, and it is estimated there are now just 6,000 remaining across 12 countries. An ex-poacher retrieved the images - he now works in collaboration with WWF and other organisations to conserve snow leopards by checking and maintaining camera traps and searching the area for snares. With your support, we are working to protect Snow Leopards across their range.

Find out more at worldwildlife.org/species/snow-leopard

Virunga campaign updateWWF’s formal complaint about oil company Soco International PLC is to be investigated by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

In October 2013, WWF alledged that Soco International PLC had breached human rights and environmental concerns as part of their plans to prospect for oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga National Park.

“Today WWF’s concerns about Soco have been validated. This initial judgement is a victory for conservation and sends a strong warning to any company that thinks it can get away with disregarding international standards,” said Lasse Gustavsson, WWF International Executive Director of Conservation.

Find out more and sign the pledge at panda.org/virunga

A villager who objects to any oil prospecting and drilling.

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Conservation map launchedWe’re really excited to announce the launch of our new Community Projects Map – your virtual access to explore the hundreds of community conservation and education projects WWF funds across New Zealand thanks to you and The Tindall Foundation.

WWF Community Conservation Coordinator Jenny Lynch says the map is a great way to find out about conservation in our own backyard. “Our supporters allow us to fund conservation all over New Zealand, and the map is a great resource for seeing just how far it goes,” she said.

The map includes contact details and photos of projects to help you get in touch, share knowledge, show your support or get your hands dirty as a volunteer.

Check out the map at wwf.org.nz/verykiwicounts

WWF’s new community conservation map. ©

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A supporter showing her love for the Hauraki Gulf.

Page 10 Living Planet

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going mad For conservationStudents at Christchurch’s Mount Pleasant School spent eight weeks last year putting their thinking caps on to help solve some of our most pressing conservation issues.

Make a difference, or MAD for short, is a project that encouraged Year 12 students to develop their own conservation project. “We want them to realise the importance of biodiversity,” said teacher Heather McQuillan.

The students were responsible for developing a concept and securing support. The projects were incredibly varied. “One group wanted to see the school become more Tui-friendly, so built a native garden complete with birdfeeder, and another investigated reintroducing native lizards to the Port Hills,” she said.

As you might expect, the Hector’s Helpers promoted saving New Zealand’s endangered Hector’s Dolphins, and with the support of Deep South Icecream set up an icecream stand at the school. They also made their own Hector’s Dolphin themed cushions for sale.

“Projects like this help students develop a real world view,” says Heather.

We love to hear about environmental projects undertaken by our supporters. If you have stories you would like to share with us, let us know at info@wwf.org.nz.

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Zascha Mann is fundraising for WWF during a 3-month, 1360km walk.

Polina Shevchuk, Dory Vajda, Kai Edwards, and Jacob Moylan from Mount Pleasant School.

one Big steP For mann It was a trip to Thailand and a love of tramping that made Zascha Mann, 22, decide that he should see more of his home country.

“In Thailand I saw the effects of pollution on the natural environment,” he said. “It made me realize we have a lot to be thankful for in New Zealand.”

Once home, the Dunedin-based student decided he’d try to see it in unique style – by walking the South Island’s giant Te Araroa trail, some 1360km, while raising money for WWF and SAFE. He estimates the walk from Bluff to Queen Charlotte Sound will take about 3 months.“Really it’s a personal challenge, but I also want to fundraise for charities that are protecting our environment, and promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle while seeing our beautiful backyard.”

Zascha plans to speak at South Island schools while on his journey, hopefully inspiring the next generation to do something for their fellow human beings – as well as reminding them just how lucky we are. “We’re all here together, and we have to work together,” he said.

Zascha plans to depart in early spring. You can donate to Zascha’s journey and follow his progress at zaschamann.wix.com/leaveonlyfootprints.

Living Planet Page 11

our PeoPLe

contact usFor any enquiries regarding supporting WWF

Postal address: PO Box 6237, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

Phone: 0800 4357 993 or 04 499 2930

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Email: info@wwf.org.nz

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Please include your supporter number as a reference.

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Thank you for your corporate support

HeaLtHPostHealthPost is New Zealand’s favourite online supplier of natural health, skincare and household products, proudly based in Golden Bay. In support of New Zealand charities, HealthPost runs ‘give well’, generously donating up to $2 for every order it receives online to a range of charities, including WWF. Find out more at healthpost.co.nz.

tHe LangHamThe partnership between the Langham, Auckland and WWF includes a focus on sustainable seafood. Guests receive the Living Planet magazine, and the hotel also provides meeting space and a base for WWF staff visiting Auckland.

Positional to be changed

out by printer

WWF SUPPORTER

racHaeL cLarkefundraiser for Oxfam

This issue we talk to Rachael Clarke, a fundraiser

for Oxfam who has been supporting WWF for the past 2 years.

“I support a couple of charities, but what I like about WWF is it makes me feel like I am playing an important role in protecting our environment,” she says.

Rachael says it’s easy to get despondent about the state of the planet. “This is the only planet we have, and by causing damage to animals and their habitats that

share it with us we are risking the entire ecosystem we all rely on.”

“That’s why it’s important to me that WWF makes a tangible difference where it will have the most impact – whether this is in New Zealand or internationally,” she says.

“We desperately need to take more care of the world around us and supporting WWF is one way I can do this.”

If you would like to be featured in our supporter prof ile, let us know! Send us an email @ info@wwf.org.nz.

FOR THE LOvE OF THE SEA

JonatHan oLsenWhen Jonathan Olsen passed away, he was keen to ensure he left a lasting

legacy to organisations that cared about the environment.

Jonathan’s daughter, Georgia Olsen, said his love for the outdoors came from his love for the sea. “Dad built his own yacht and spent 10 years sailing it across the world. It developed in him a fierce love for our oceans and marine species,” she said.

In his lifetime, Mr Olsen also supported many organisations in New Zealand, including WWF, Greenpeace and Forest and Bird. “It was no surprise to

us that protecting Maui’s and Hector’s dolphins and seabirds was important to him,” said Georgia.

WWF received a gift of $10,000 from Mr Olsen’s Will in December last year. “We are so grateful for Mr Olsen’s gift,” said Chris Howe, WWF-New Zealand Executive Director. “Gifts like this make a huge difference to our ability to campaign on the issues our supporters care about. The results of these are a true lasting legacy.”

If you would like to f ind out more about leaving a gift to WWF and the difference it can make, let us know at bequest@wwf.org.nz, or call Shayne Storey at WWF on 04 471 4296.

Rachael Clarke

Jonathan Olsen

wHy i suPPort wwFOur supporters give to us for many dif ferent reasons. For some of you it will be our work saving Maui’s dolphins, for others it could be protect ing the world’s last remaining wild t igers. Regardless of what has you hooked on W WF, we’d love to hear what ’s important to you!

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suBscriBe to wwF emaiL aLertsSign-up to our WWF e-newsletter and we’ll keep you up-to-date with information about WWF projects around the world, as well as breaking conservation news.Sign up at wwf.org.nz/newsletter

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March 2014

status uPdate: Join wwF onLineFor the latest conservation news and campaign actions, you can find us on Twitter @WWFNewZealand or at facebook.com/WWFNewZealand – or head to our website at wwf.org.nz

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Living PLanet issue 10issn 1177-3332

wwF.org.nZ

NEW ZEALAND

27 metresHow deeP BLack PetreLs wiLL dive wHen Hunting For Prey – Beating Previous estimates By 12 metres

190Number of sharks painted by artists BMD on Wellington’s waterfront – symbolising how many are killed worldwide every minute.

“It is now widely recognised that sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem and that we need to ensure the 113 species of shark in our waters survive.”

Conservation Minister Nick Smith, speaking in December at the announcement of the ban on shark finning in NZ waters.

WWF-New Zealand Head of Campaigns, Peter Hardstaff, speaking on the release of a Colmar-Brunton poll showing that

62% oF new ZeaLanders

think the Government should spend money to assist fishers to transition to dolphin-friendly practices.

“We need to find the best way to support the fishing communities who live onshore from the Maui’s habitat to help them transition to dolphin friendly practices.”

662,113numBer oF signatures

received so Far to our camPaign

to keeP oiL comPany soco internationaL

PLc out oF virunga nationaL

Park.

in otHer words