Project outline

Bauza island (480 hectares) is a sizable island, the second largest in Doubtful Sound.  The island is entirely clad in forest suitable for tieke habitat.

Bauza is isolated from the mainland restricting the number of pests that have invaded its shores.  Stoats were the only resident predator found on the island.

Since the establishment of a trap network in 2002 stoats no longer inhabit the island.  The trap network is checked and re-baited six monthly to prevent stoats re-establishing.

The original transfer of tieke from Big South Cape Island (the final refuge for tieke at the time) showed, for the first time, an endangered species could be bought back from the brink of extinction.  Rats had arrived on Big South Cape Island! 

Since this rescue mission back in 1964 numerous transfers have taken place proving that tieke establish quickly on predator free islands.

Once released on Bauza it will not be long before passer-byes hear the cheeky “ti-e-ke-ke-ke-ke” calls across the water.

Cost – one-off           $6,500

Timeframe
Transfer in March 2010

Tieke Transfer from Breaksea Island to Bauza Island, Doubtful Sound – Peregrin Wines

Saddleback wine label

Prior to human settlement with rats and stoats in tow, the tieke/South Island saddleback was plentiful, inhabiting forest throughout the South Island. Their cheeky clamorous demeanour intrigues all who set sight on the striking bird. Sadly, the ground nesting habits of the saddleback make them an easy target for introduced predators and led to their swift disappearance from the mainland by the early 20th century. They now only exist on a number of predator free islands where they thrive. Bauza Island in Doubtful Sound offers another haven for tieke following the eradication of stoats in 2002.

Peregrine Wines are working in partnership with the FCT to assist with the protection and survival of Saddlebacks by funding the cost of the March 2010 transfer of Saddlebacks from Breaksea Island to Bauza Island in Doubtful Sound. This tremendous support is part of an ongoing initiative by
Peregrine Wines who are passionate about supporting two of New Zealands threatenend species, the Saddleback and the NZ Falcon. For more information on Peregrine Wines, the projects they support, and to purchase their Saddleback wine follow the link. More information can also be found in this Peregrine Wines PDF (289k).

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Photography © : PhotoArt Fiordland    Rod Morris    Department of Conservation