Maud Island
Encyclopedia
Maud Island, originally called Te Hoiere in the Māori language
, is the second-largest island in the Marlborough Sounds
on the northern tip of the South Island
of New Zealand
, with a total area of 320 ha (790.7 acre).
to which only scientists and conservationists have access. Visitors need a special permit issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation
. Thanks to the efforts of conservationist Don Merton
the Kakapo
was introduced onto the predator-free island in 1974. Additional Kakapo were subsequently tranlocated onto other Islands like Codfish Island
or Anchor Island
. The takahe
was also introduced there in 1985. Another rare species is the Maud Island Frog
(Leiopelma pakeka), which was split from the Hamilton's Frog
(Leiopelma hamiltoni) in 1998 and is now seen as its own species.
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
, is the second-largest island in the Marlborough Sounds
Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds are an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys created by a combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels at the north of the South Island of New Zealand...
on the northern tip of the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, with a total area of 320 ha (790.7 acre).
Fauna
Maud Island is an important nature reserveNature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
to which only scientists and conservationists have access. Visitors need a special permit issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
. Thanks to the efforts of conservationist Don Merton
Don Merton
Donald Merton, QSM was a New Zealand conservationist best known for saving the black robin from extinction. He also discovered the lek breeding system of the kakapo....
the Kakapo
Kakapo
The Kakapo , Strigops habroptila , also called owl parrot, is a species of large, flightless nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand...
was introduced onto the predator-free island in 1974. Additional Kakapo were subsequently tranlocated onto other Islands like Codfish Island
Codfish Island
Codfish Island or Whenua Hou is a small island located to the west of Stewart Island/Rakiura in southern New Zealand. It reaches a height of close to the south coast. Following the eradication of possums and weka, it is a predator-free bird sanctuary and the focus of Kakapo recovery efforts...
or Anchor Island
Anchor Island
Anchor Island is a island in Dusky Sound, Fiordland National Park in the Southland district of New Zealand. The island has an elevation of and is from the New Zealand mainland. It is now used by the Department of Conservation as a safe haven for endangered birds such as Tieke and the Kakapo....
. The takahe
Takahe
The Takahē or South Island Takahē, Porphyrio hochstetteri is a flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand and belonging to the rail family. It was thought to be extinct after the last four known specimens were taken in 1898...
was also introduced there in 1985. Another rare species is the Maud Island Frog
Maud Island Frog
The Maud Island frog, Leiopelma pakeka, is a primitive frog native to New Zealand, one of only four extant species belonging to the taxonomic family Leiopelmatidae....
(Leiopelma pakeka), which was split from the Hamilton's Frog
Hamilton's Frog
Hamilton's frog is a primitive frog native to New Zealand, one of only four extant species belonging to the taxonomic family Leiopelmatidae. It is named after Harold Hamilton. The holotype is in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.-External links:* *...
(Leiopelma hamiltoni) in 1998 and is now seen as its own species.