Christmas is coming....

For the last two weekends we have been involved in the Picton and Blenheim Christmas parades and here is a little peak at what we looked like...

Bert and Ernie nearly all grown up...

Just a quick update on Bert and Ernie, as you can see Bert has definitely grown.  Bert is now weighing in at 975 g and Ernie is 863g which is fantastic.  Adult Blue penguins weigh about 1 kg so not too far to go.  They both still have their baby fluff but some of their adult plumage is now starting to show.

Ecoworld are pleased to welcome Peanut...

Peanut the Indian Ringneck Parakeet begins his first day of work at Ecoworld today.  He is already a little character and we can only look forward to more.  
Indian Ringnecks are native to Asia and Africa and can be seen in the forests or arid environments. Ringnecks are intelligent parrots and they learn concepts quickly and love to show off. Along with being intelligent, they are great at talking (Peanut is likely to start talking after he turns one).
We are all very excited about his arrival (as you can see from Regan's daughters face below!!)

Bert and Ernie find new home

With the warmth of spring comes the pitter patter of Little Blue Penguin feet and EcoWorld Aquarium is welcoming the first penguin arrivals with a tinge of sadness.  Last week two chicks were rescued after discovering an adult Blue Penguin dead on their nest.

In New Zealand, Korora or Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor), are found all along the coastline and often fall prey to rats, cats, dogs and other introduced predators.  These small penguins will return to the same breeding ground every year and with increased coastal development, roads and predators life can be pretty tough.

The population and range of Little Blue Penguins has been declining in areas not protected from predation and the Department of Conservation now ranks them as “Lower risk – near threatened”.  EcoWorld manager, Regan Russell states “we have established a safe breeding area with 10 nest boxes and the new penguin chicks are in safe hands getting twice daily feeds of salmon smelt”.  Each day the penguins are weighed to check on their progress and it is hoped that they will be released back into the wild around Christmas. 

Regan also suggests that if people find an injured or ill Little Blue Penguin that they contact their local DoC office.  EcoWorld wish to thank Rosalie Goldsworthy at Kataki Point Penguin Charitable Trust in Otago for all her help and penguin expertise.

New Seahorse babies!!!

Spring must be here...the first seahorse babies have arrived.  They are only about 5mm from head to tail and there are about 200 "ponies".  
Hippocampus abdominalis or Pot Belly Seahorses are the largest seahorse found in New Zealand and as with all seahorse species the male is the one who becomes pregnant.  Males are also quite obvious with their prominent brood pouches.  The Pot Belly Seahorse can give birth to as many as 700 babies - OUCH!!!

Little Blue display is finished

The Little Blue display is all ready and waiting for its first inhabitants.  Regan has been having a chat with some of the guys at DoC so hopefully we will have some soon.
We are also expecting a new staff member in about a month, he/she will not be able to speak for about two years, is a bit feathery and we expect will be extremely popular - that's right it isn't a human but a baby ring neck parakeet!! Regan is super excited about this arrival, as with all his babies, and I am sure that he/she will be a great addition to the team.

It's raining, it's pouring....

...but we have a fence.

Oh and the first little blue has arrived (he he - ok it is really Xaria)

Once the fence is completely finished then the search will begin for Little Blue's.  The aquarium has started it's first week back with summer hours and has had lots of visitors, no doubt enjoying all the new additions.  The Giant Weta are doing really well in their new home and you can generally see at least two sleeping in their burrows.  We are hoping to get some "video surveillance" of  their night time activities - I am looking forward to seeing what they get up to!!

The tuatara are out on display everyday, and have been hanging out on the top of their punga log.  They have also been keeping Regan, Tessa and Mike busy with new burrow detection.  In captivity they are not allowed to make burrows themselves, just in case they collapse on top of them so whenever a new burrow is discovered it has to be filled in - I know all that hard work down the drain but it is for their safety and with their low population numbers it is important to look after each and every one!!

You can also tell summer is fast approaching as all the fish are getting hungry, the feeding frenzy at feed time (2pm everyday) is definitely increasing. The eagle ray has also been showing off lots lately too!!

Their are also some great movies on this week - The Secret of Moonacre is fantastic for kids with lots of adventure. I also got a sneak preview of Faintheart which is starting very soon - very amusing!!!

We are in the newspaper!!!

Well Reg is famous once again, after an interview with Marlborough Express yesterday he is now featuring proudly on www.stuff.co.nz as well as the paper.

Check out Dee Wilson's photo:

And now for your viewing pleasure....

And I had to include some other inhabitants at Ecoworld...

The Giant Weta are here...

Tonight Ecoworld welcomed ten Giant Weta from Stephens Island.  Both DOC and Ngati Koata representatives were present to "gift" these amazing creatures to Ecoworld.  With five males and five females it is hoped that these endangered insects will start breeding soon.

Xaria checking out the boys...

Big beautiful boy!!!

Having a wander...

At home in its new enclosure

Penguin boxes....

Penguin boxes from above...

A homely penguin box...

Fynn (Regan's son) checking out the construction!!

And for anyone interested this is what the Picton Foreshore looks like at the moment....can you see Ecoworld far in the distance!!

The Fence begins....

The fence has begun, hopefully today there will be a finished fence...he he we will see. In this photo is Regan (the manager of Ecoworld) with daughter Xaria.

ALSO THE WETA ARE COMING TODAY!!!

Look out for photos later today, hopefully.

Two weeks later, I think?!

Another week later, and we now have holes in the ground for the fence posts.  What is the saying...."good things take time"....well I think this will be great. As soon as the fence goes up then landscaping will start on the "enclosure", we have a nice big load of sand from a local Picton contractor and yesterday we spent the day spreading it all around, along with our 3 year old and 1 year old helpers!!   The next shot from above shows the general layout although when it is finished it will have tussocks, penguin boxes and with any luck penguins...

One week later...

Ok so a week on and it doesn't look like lots of progress but there is now a defined area for the penguins.  We are now waiting for a big fence to be put up and then it will be landscaping.  Regan has been busy this week making penguin boxes which has been rather amusing to watch!!

We are now also waiting on Giant Weta too, there display is all ready and waiting - very exciting.

Building has started...

On Monday building officially started on the penguin enclosure, with edging around the area followed by scraping back the tar seal and adding the "mound o' dirt".  The Kakariki display has also been getting ready for the arrival of some birds (when they are born), for now though the display has four little quail...and due some time in the next week are the Giant Weta.  Has been quite a busy week, looking forward to seeing all the new enclosures and the new animals.

       

       

Brother's Island Tuatara, one of two at Ecoworld...

One of our Auckland Green Geckos...

ECOWORLD WAITING FOR THE WADDLE OF LITTLE FOOTSTEPS

Just like an expectant father, EcoWorld manager Regan Russell is awaiting the arrival of some very special additions to Picton’s Aquarium and Terrarium.  Over the next few months there will be many changes to EcoWorld to accommodate the smallest penguins in the world – Little Blue Penguins.  Regan explains “it has been a long process with much discussion between EcoWorld, DOC and Port Marlborough”.

Little Blue Penguins are native to New Zealand and commonly found nesting under baches and wharves throughout the Marlborough Sounds.  Regan points out “this species of penguin is in decline in the wild, especially in areas where they are not protected from predators”.  There are often conflicts between man and penguin, and it is hoped that EcoWorld can help with the relocation of “nuisance” Little Blue Penguins.  “We also hope to rehome and rehabilitate injured penguins and provide a safe nesting area for these birds”. The penguins will be free to come and go from the display, which will include nesting boxes equipped with remote cameras.  The colony will provide obvious conservation and education value.   

EcoWorld is hugely grateful to DOC and Port Marlborough for their enthusiastic support and also for the abundant knowledge of penguin experts throughout the country.  Viewing of penguins is a big success in Oamaru and in Australia with Phillip Island penguins being one of Australia’s biggest tourist attractions.  EcoWorld is also anticipating the introduction of more native species and “can’t wait to get started” says Regan.

For more information contact:

Regan Russell (manager – EcoWorld Aquarium)