Who and why are the Ruahine Whio Protectors?
The Ruahine Whio Protectors are a bunch of unpaid volunteers who spend a good portion of their spare time in Te Ruahine rebaiting and clearing dead, often putrid rats and mustelids from around 2500 DOC 200 traps. The whio, or blue duck, is nationally endangered. They are only found in New Zealand and it is estimated there are only around 3000 birds in existence making them rarer than kiwi. They are vulnerable to predation from mustelids, hence the Ruahine Whio Protectors existence.
Some of Te Ruahine is reasonably rugged so volunteers often belong to tramping clubs or are hunters, often belonging to the NZDA. The Ruahine Whio Protection Trust was set up to raise money to support the work of these volunteers. Donations to the Trust are always welcome and above $5 are tax deductible. The bank a/c No. is 03-1522-0409211-00
The Ruahine Whio Protectors are a bunch of unpaid volunteers who spend a good portion of their spare time in Te Ruahine rebaiting and clearing dead, often putrid rats and mustelids from around 2500 DOC 200 traps. The whio, or blue duck, is nationally endangered. They are only found in New Zealand and it is estimated there are only around 3000 birds in existence making them rarer than kiwi. They are vulnerable to predation from mustelids, hence the Ruahine Whio Protectors existence.
Some of Te Ruahine is reasonably rugged so volunteers often belong to tramping clubs or are hunters, often belonging to the NZDA. The Ruahine Whio Protection Trust was set up to raise money to support the work of these volunteers. Donations to the Trust are always welcome and above $5 are tax deductible. The bank a/c No. is 03-1522-0409211-00