Auckland doctor seeks adoptive parents for Fiordland valleys as birdlife dwindles

 DOC faces an almost impossible task, so it must concentrate its work in particular areas and leave others unprotected

An Auckland ophthalmologist is searching for conservation en­thusiasts to “adopt” a valley in Fiordland.

North Shore ophthalmologist Mike Fisk is one of a group of 10 founders of the Valleys Project, an effort to help save Fiordland birdlife.

Other doctors taking part are fellow ophthalmologist David Pendergrast, orthopaedic sur­geon Matthew Tomlinson and anaesthetist Charles Hollings.

Dr Fisk, who has been hunt­ing and tramping in Fiordland since the 1970s, says there has been a marked decline in native birdlife in the area.

The problem is introduced an­imals, particularly stoats, rats and possums.

Now, he says, there are prob­ably more native birds in his Auckland garden than in the valleys he visits.

Dr Fisk says the Depart­ment of Conservation faces an almost impossible task, so it must concentrate its work in particular areas and leave oth­ers unprotected despite their conservation value.

DOC staff have prioritised eight Fiordland valleys with significant whio (blue duck) populations for the Valleys group to tackle.

Whio populations are in de­cline, with between 2000 and 3000 left across the country.

The project’s main work is setting up traplines for stoats and rats on both sides of the rivers, with trap stations every 100 metres.

The group is using New Zea­land-designed traps, which reset themselves 24 times with help from a carbon dioxide cannister that then needs to be replaced. The selected areas complement DOC’s conservation efforts.

The project’s biggest costs come in the first year. It costs $40,000 to set up 10km of trapline and $6000 to maintain it every six months, although costs will vary. The valleys available to adopt include some requiring boat or helicopter access. Each valley offers different perks in terms of rec­reational fishing or hunting.

The founding members have already run a trapline up and down one valley as an example of what can be done.

Dr Fisk hopes groups or corporate organisations will consider taking responsibility for a valley.

Groups are welcome to fund and carry out the trapping work themselves, or donate money for others to do the legwork, he says. He is happy to play match­maker for interested individuals who want to find others they can work with to adopt a valley.

The group also organises pos­sum trappers to work the area, and they make money by selling the possum skins.

It’s a way to monetise con­servation and rid the valleys of possums, without putting down poison, Dr Fisk says.

Anyone interested in taking part can find the group at val­leys.co.nz