Orokonui Ecosanctuary sets an inspirational example

摘要

The last wild kiwi in Otago died 150 years ago and the statistics on other native wildlife are equally grim. Since humans arrived in New Zealand one-third of our bird species have become extinct, and so have nearly half of our native frogs. While thedamage can't be undone, a future can be created for the very special creatures of New Zealand's past.Nestled between the mountains of Mihiwaka and Mopanui 20 minutes north of Dunedin, the beautiful Orokonui Ecosanctuary occupies a forested valley three kilometres long by about one kilometre wide, with views down to an estuary and the sea. Known also asTe Korowai (treasured cloak) o Mihiwaka, the ecosanctuary was enclosed by a nine-kilometre pest exclusion fence in 2007 to create 307 hectares of highly protected habitat. It is slowly being returned to its rich biodiverse habitat.