Paradise Saved

The remarkable story of New Zealand’s wildlife sanctuaries and how they are stemming the tide of extinction.

It is too soon to say extinction is over in New Zealand. Where there is no pest management in the forests and parks we are losing native species at an ever alarming rate. But a revived national consciousness of critical species decline has given new hope. Scientists have responded with pioneering techniques to help clear offshore islands of introduced pests, providing havens for dwindling populations. In the wake of their success, the same strategies and techniques of predator control have now been applied on the mainland. Sanctuaries have appeared all over New Zealand, with thousands of volunteers answering the call to help support and run them.

We’ve all heard of Tiritiri Matangi and the Karori sanctuary is well known throughout New Zealand. Since they were established, more than 100 more wildlife sanctuaries have sprung up, all around New Zealand, where control of predators has meant that endangered native birds can now breed safely. Many now have such abundant bird life that the stock is harvested every year for release in other bird sanctuaries to build up their populations. Paradise Saved tells the story of 135 sanctuaries around the country - including those at Maungatautari near Te Awamutu, Ark in the Park in the Waitakeres, Little Barrier, Tawharanui near Leigh, Purakanui near Dunedin and many more.

And new ones will continue to emerge now that scientists have worked out the most effective ways to bait and trap and to keep possums, rats and stoats out. Some are fenced and others keep predators under control or out totally by regularly baiting round the perimeter. Around the country, the thousands of New Zealanders who volunteer at these sanctuaries are making a successful attempt to protect native birds and also to reintroduce them to areas where they had been extinct.

Paradise Saved tells the gripping story of how we are turning back the tide of extinction. It is a celebration of pioneering science and a national survey of the sanctuaries, little and big. For each sanctuary, up to date information is included on where to find them, how to visit and how to do your part.

With photographs from some of New Zealand’s best wildlife photographers, Paradise Saved is a stunning and inspirational account of New Zealand’s sanctuaries, that will appeal to all those who love our beautiful country.

Paradise Saved

Dave Butler, Tony Lindsay and Janet Hunt

RRP: $55.00

Random House

About the authors:

Dave Butler is a conservationist focusing on birdlife and mammalian pests. He has been involved in the sanctuaries movement since 1996, when he headed up one of the first mainland island projects, showing a nation what was possible.

Tony Lindsay has spent the last 30 years working in, observing and supporting the New Zealand conservation sector. As a campaign advocate, he has led countless fundraising appeals for conservation projects around New Zealand.

Janet Hunt is a writer, academic and award-winning natural history and environment author. Her previous books include Wetlands of New Zealand, A Bird in the Hand, and From Weta to Kauri: A Guide to the New Zealand Forest.