No Images? Click here Chick time on Royal camWatch a fluffy new northern royal albatross/toroa chick and its parents – live from the Pukekura/Taiaroa Head breeding colony, Otago Peninsula. The egg hatched on 22 January, and the parents will take turns sitting on the nest and feeding the chick for the next four or five weeks. Then they'll leave the chick unguarded, except for feeding visits, until it fledges in spring. Sirocco foundSirocco's back in our lives – hurray! He spent two years off the radar due to a failed transmitter. Two DOC kākāpō field rangers found him during a special search on his island home, deep in the Fiordland wilderness. RecreationUltimate ten days in NorthlandOur Northland road-trip itinerary will help you make the most of your visit to the beautiful north. It includes some of the best walks and hikes New Zealand has to offer. Find other short walks and day hikes in your region. Explore the Wild West canyons of Bannockburn SluicingsEnjoy an atmospheric and rewarding walk through a valley of caves, tunnels and rock tailings left untouched since the time of the gold miners. Image: Miz Watanabe/One Shot Get involvedWho's a good dog?Hopefully yours, especially at the beach. With increasing reports of fur seals and penguins harassed and killed by dogs, DOC Science Advisor Laura Boren offers her top tips on responsible dog ownership. Volunteer in Arthur's PassNatureMonitoring short-tailed batsMonitoring of short-tailed bats in Whirinaki Forest was carried out for the fifth consecutive year by DOC biodiversity ranger Sarah Wills and her team. Community Ranger Neil Robert Hutton joined in and reported back. Penguin killed by dogA dog killed a Snares crested penguin at Kakanui, near Oamaru. Moulting penguins are particularly vulnerable at this time of year. Find out how to be a responsible dog owner. Wetlands at riskA new report shows New Zealand is continuing to lose its precious wetlands, having lost 90% of original wetland area already. Wetlands are home to precious wildlife and plants, and they support drought-prone areas by releasing water slowly. Our workVideo: Blue cod waterslideWho says safety can't be fun? One of our marine scientists recently took part in a blue cod survey in Long Island – Kokomohua Marine Reserve. Rat caughtLast month we told you we were searching for a rat on Tiritiri Matangi Island Scientific Reserve. We caught it, and the island is pest free again. Great news for the natives. White shark researchThe number of adult white sharks across the Australasian region is estimated to be around 2,210 – lower than expected. Photo of the monthLiz, the @YoungAdventuress, captured this gorgeous sunset scene on the Hump Ridge Track. "With wild coastal views, stunning subalpine forest, really comfortable huts (dare I call them huts?) great wildlife like kākā and Hector’s dolphins, this has to be a tramp for the ages and must go on everyone’s bucketlists!" Photo: Liz Carlson © See more from DOC
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