Kiwi trust welcomes zoology expert

Pest management expert and zoologist Alan Saunders is the guest speaker for the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust’s annual meeting on Wednesday.

Alan has spent time in Tauranga while he worked on the Fauna Survey of Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Values of the Mamaku Plateau report, which was published in 1983.

A North Island brown kiwi at the Otanewainuku forest.

Trust chairman Peter Crane says Alan knows the Tauranga area well and will provide he knowledge at the trust’s annual meeting at the Coastguard rooms in Sulphur Point.

Alan has experience from a number of threatened species recovery projects and wildlife habitat surveys with New Zealand Wildlife Service and its successor, the Department of Conservation, says Peter.

“Alan is a gifted and challenging speaker, always encouraging his audience to think outside the square and he has the practical knowledge and experience to back up his words, having been involved in biodiversity conservation management and research for nearly 40 years.”

The meeting is open to everyone and starts at 7pm, with supper provided on the night.

Peter says gold coin donations are welcome, there will be raffles and promotional material available.

The trust was established 10 years ago to rescue the failing population of North Island brown kiwi in the Otanewainuku forest and restore the plant and bird life which was being devastated by high pest numbers.

Peter says it has achieved dramatic results and work continues with volunteers committing their time and energy to prove that pests can be controlled.