Zealandia

I finally made it to ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary - the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary in WellingtonNZ! Wellington served stunning weather and I encountered Kererū (New Zealand wood pigeon), Tūī, Kākā (New Zealand parrot) and Takahē (rail).

Did you know.. Takahē were considered to be extinct for over 50 years until 1948? Invercargill physician Geoffrey Orbell and his party found the last remaining wild population of Takahē in the tussock grasslands of the remote Murchison Mountains, above Lake Te Anau in Fiordland. Today, there are approximately 445 Takahē. 

Thank you to the staff and volunteers who keep the 225 hectare (500+ acre) Zealandia such a beautiful sanctuary!