Natureland visitors may be lucky enough to lay eyes on a new couple that have recently arrived at the park.
The brown teal/pāteke is a small dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand, historically distributed throughout the lowland freshwater wetlands.
Natureland has become the latest partner in the Pāteke Recovery Programme and is now home to a young male and female in the walk-thru aviary.
In 2022 there were thought to be between 2000 and 2500 of the species living in a wild state, making it the country’s rarest mainland waterfowl.
Natureland’s Alix Rimmer says the nocturnal ducks have been somewhat elusive.
“They’re still settling in and because they’re still young, they’re quite shy.”
She says they had to set up a game camera to capture the ducks after the park had closed to make sure they were doing well.
“As soon as things quieten down they come out.”
The pāteke join the South Island kākā and the yellow crown kakariki as part of the Breed for Release Programme.
This will be the pair’s first breeding season but Alix says they are already displaying positive signs.
“So far, they’re with each other at all times.”
The pāteke can lay between three and nine eggs, with an average of six.
Offspring of the pair will be released into Abel Tasman National Park.
Natureland encourages visitors to come and learn more about the Breed for Release programme, particularly during Conservation Week that runs till the end of this week.
