No Images? Click here Image: Anna Clare Have you ever seen a takahē?April is Takahē Awareness Month and could be your chance to learn about a piece of conservation history and even see one in person at one of our many sanctuaries. With a current population of around 375 takahē, they've come a long way since being considered extinct over 70 years ago. Last year, the Takahē Recovery Programme celebrated the establishment of the second wild takahē population in Kahurangi National Park. This month DOC's taking the opportunity to celebrate the great work of the wider takahē team along with Ngāi Tahu, national partner Fulton Hogan and our network of supporters. Watch the Takahē Recovery short video to learn more about the journey of takahē, from rediscovery to release into Kahurangi National Park. Listen to our new podcast episodeAs vet to all New Zealand native species, DOC's Kate McInnes has a one-of-a-kind job. From kākāpō to kiwi, lesions to salmonella, Kate handles it all. She also made the infamous ‘sperm helmet’ on display at Te Papa. Listen to Kate talk to Threatened Species Ambassador Nic Toki in the second episode of our Sounds of Science podcast. Update from Lou SansonLou shares stories about the Mackenzie Basin, kākāpō recovery, Tata Lawton retiring, remembering Jane Davis, Air New Zealand's external Sustainability Advisory Panel, and the Auckland City partnership. Image: Brodie Philip | DOC RecreationTracks to explore over EasterWith Easter landing a bit later this year, the country will be well into autumn by the time the holiday rolls around. We asked our local visitor centre rangers to give us their picks for nine tracks to enjoy over the Easter holidays. New tracks open: Carrick RangeExplore newly opened tracks that take you to conservation and historic gold digging areas near Bannockburn in Central Otago. Recreation opportunities in this dramatic landscape include tramping, mountain biking, four-wheel driving, horse riding and hunting. What to do when there's no loo?Whether you’re a local, or here on holiday, we have a shared responsibility to look after our amazing places. Try to use a loo when you see one – but if you really have to go bush, you want to be prepared. Keep an eye on our Facebook page this weekend to watch the new video on what to do in nature when there’s no toilet. Get involvedPhotography competitionWIN! Thanks to our friends at Photo Warehouse, we’ve put together an awesome photography prize pack for one lucky amateur photographer. Have your sayWe're seeking your views on draft amendments to the West Coast Te Tai o Poutini Conservation Management Strategy 2010. Image: Ray Salisbury | © Living memorials plantedConservation community group Greening Taupo coordinated an event planting over 3000 native trees at Whakaipo Bay Recreation Reserve. The trees are to serve as living memorials to our service personnel, past and present. Image: Greening Taupo | © Our workTiakina Ngā Manu launch - formally known Battle for our BirdsOur monitoring has confirmed the predicted mega mast or heavy seeding in New Zealand’s forests this autumn. Heavy seeding provides a bonanza of food for native species but also fuels rodent and stoat plagues that pose a serious threat to native birds. In response we're planning our largest-ever predator control programme, Tiakina Ngā Manu to protect native birds, bats, frogs, lizards and giant land snails across the country. Report identifies DOC locations vulnerable to coastal floodingThe risk to our coastal locations from flooding reinforces the need to plan for the effects of sea level rise. "Scientists predict that sea levels are likely to rise between 0.5-1 m by 2100." Abel Tasman islands once again predator freeThree Abel Tasman National Park islands, Adele/Motuareronui, Fisherman/ Motuareroiti and Tonga islands, have been restored to predator free after a 2017 operation successfully eradicated mice. Image: Diana Parr | DOC NatureInternational report card on New Zealand’s biological diversityConservation Minister Eugenie Sage says the latest report on how New Zealand is tracking against national and global biodiversity targets demonstrates the importance of increased investment in conservation. Image: Vincent Zintzen | © Caedance, the flying kiwiThreatened Species Ambassador Nic Toki helped translocate the 3000th wildlife passenger on an Air New Zealand flight to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. The special passenger was a rowi chick named Caedance, the last chick from 2018/19 season for Operation Nest Egg. Bumper hihi breeding season on Tiritiri Matangi islandA record number of hihi or stitchbird have fledged on their pest-free Hauraki Gulf island during the latest breeding season. In the 1890s, the last surviving hihi were found on only one island but thanks to a lot of hard work, there are now hihi populations at seven pest-free sites. Photo of the monthA humpback whale is now free from the fishing gear that entangled it. The rope was cut from the whale by the Kaikōura large whale disentanglement team yesterday. The whale likely became entangled within the last few weeks off the bottom of the South Island. Thank you to Whale Watch Kaikōura and members of the public who kept a vigilant watch and reported any sightings. See more from DOC |