High vertical valley walls surrounding the Sinbad Gully form the natural barrier that limit the invasion of introduced predators.
A pest control programme in the valley will profit from this natural barrier because once removed, the reinvasion of predators will be lower than other mainland sites.
The establishment of stoat control will create a safer haven for a range of endangered birds i.e. whio and also insects and will help to ensure their continued survival for generations to come. Future control of possums and rats would also help native species still present in the valley and would allow reintroductions of species that were once present in the area.
Cost – setup $33,000 Cost – per annum $12,000
or using volunteers $6,000
Timeframe
The pest knockdown would be completed within 12 months of securing the funding.
Project code – bowval1
Bowen Sanctuary
Bowen Valley located at the head of Milford Sound was once alive with many endangered native birds, lizards and insects. This hanging valley located at the centre of New Zealand’s leading tourist destination is most renowned for the Bowen Falls dropping 160 metres into Milford Sound from the mouth of the valley. Fortunately the steep terrain surrounding Bowen Valley has slowed the invasion of introduced predators into the valley and therefore still remains home to a number of endangered native species such as whio, kea and the kaka. Conservationists have identified Bowen Valley as a natural ‘island’ which makes the valley suitable for concentrated pest control.
