abel tasman a joy for birds and tourists
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice
Last Updated : GMT 05:17:37
Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Abel Tasman: A joy for birds and tourists

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice

Emiratesvoice, emirates voice Abel Tasman: A joy for birds and tourists

Wellington - Arabstoday

When we first met Harry Taylor, he was on the phone to a local wildlife vet. \"We\'re releasing a penguin from here tomorrow!\" he tells us with glee as he hangs up. Harry and his wife, Faith, own Astrolabe retreat - luxury accommodation at the base of the Abel Tasman National Park. With million-dollar views of the stunning Sandy Bay and space for only two couples at a time in their tastefully designed home, you could be forgiven for thinking this is an exclusive playground for the rich and famous. But Harry and Faith remain reassuringly down to earth. They are heavily involved in the local wildlife conservation efforts - specifically, penguins. \"We have boxes for them set up on our property,\" explains Harry. Having moved to the area from Nelson, the Taylors have joined a growing number of locals who are working hard to get the region back to its natural state. Birdlife is an important part of that, Harry emphasises. \"In the 12 years we\'ve been coming out here the birdlife has increased 10-fold,\" he says. The penguin we are privileged enough to see released is called \"Chipy\", and it was just a fledgling last year. So, in the mid-morning, we trek down the shell-lined path from Harry\'s house to the beach to set this little one loose. Mana Statton, the wildlife vet who accompanies us, has been teaching Chipy to swim (they have a joy for birds and tourists to be able to swim for at least three hours continuously before being released). Mana can barely conceal her delight when she finds one of the penguins they have previously released has returned to moult in one of Harry\'s boxes. \"That one is Pixie - it\'s a great sign that she\'s come back,\" she exclaims, \"this is a real bonus.\" That the penguins feel safe enough to make this their home is no surprise to visitors like myself - who wouldn\'t love the peaceful gardens and private beach? \"Places like Harry\'s are a godsend for releasing penguins,\" Mana says, explaining that the privacy and lack of boat traffic means the birds are much safer than the alternative launching sites. Harry\'s neighbour, Peter Holyoake, has a long (and rather famous) family history in the area, and explains to us why projects like these are so important to Abel Tasman. He, like Harry, sets traps for possums, rats and stoats, which have put a dent in the native birdlife, although he says it\'s the dogs that really decimated the local population. \"There used to be hundreds of weka in the area ...\" he laments. But both he and the Taylors are hopeful for the future of the region. The invasive pine trees are being culled from the park, Harry has noticed the possum population disappearing and Peter\'s wife runs the Abel Tasman Birdsong Project - successfully releasing native robins into the area. \"If we can keep the stoats and stuff down, then we can do great things - such as re-introduce kiwis and the like,\" Peter says. And it certainly is a place worth protecting. The national park is an accessible paradise, boasting one of New Zealand\'s only granite coastlines. With water taxis jetting up and down the pristine beaches, it\'s easy to do day trips, as well as the three- to five-day hikes of the whole park. Golden-sand shorelines, natural waterfall slides and well-marked trails make this part of the world an excellent escape - no wonder the penguins choose to call it home.

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

abel tasman a joy for birds and tourists abel tasman a joy for birds and tourists

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

abel tasman a joy for birds and tourists abel tasman a joy for birds and tourists

 



GMT 10:31 2014 Tuesday ,23 December

Mirages of failure: Lebanon cannot wait

GMT 09:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

France says it fell short on greenhouse gas emissions

GMT 07:31 2017 Tuesday ,19 September

Bahrain to develop 100 MW solar power plant

GMT 10:24 2017 Tuesday ,14 March

Sheikha Lubna: Parents have responsibility

GMT 05:14 2024 Wednesday ,07 February

Sophisticated Classic Dining Room Design Ideas

GMT 16:02 2017 Wednesday ,11 January

iflix signs multi-year deal with Pakistan’s Hum TV

GMT 17:18 2017 Wednesday ,15 February

Egyptian TV host Lubna Assal optimistic about future

GMT 08:45 2017 Monday ,17 July

Pakistan launches massive offensive

GMT 09:39 2017 Saturday ,01 July

British banking institutions suspend

GMT 07:05 2017 Thursday ,16 November

Terrorist involved in police bus explosion arrested

GMT 20:20 2012 Monday ,30 January

Ministry of Health signs contract with Wekaya

GMT 04:55 2016 Monday ,16 May

English Premier League leading scorers

GMT 17:23 2014 Saturday ,24 May

Weather forecast for world cities

GMT 23:34 2011 Tuesday ,13 December

Belhadj: Barça match is a celebration
 
 Emirates Voice Facebook,emirates voice facebook  Emirates Voice Twitter,emirates voice twitter Emirates Voice Rss,emirates voice rss  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube  Emirates Voice Youtube,emirates voice youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

emiratesvoieen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen emiratesvoiceen
emiratesvoice emiratesvoice emiratesvoice
emiratesvoice
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice, Emiratesvoice