Native flora and fauna....

We were given a most useful and interesting Christmas present.....a family entry ticket to Zealandia.....a very special nature sanctuary right in the centre of Wellington..... there are only a few creatures kept in cages.....just these few Green Gekos, and a small clutch of baby tuataras to prevent them being eaten by the bigger ones.....instead, there is a very special predator perimeter fence to keep out the unwanted.....primarily rats, cats and stoats.....while inside all manner of native birds, insects, and animals roam totally free. There are even kiwis roaming free, but as these are nocturnal birds, you need to go on a special night time excursion, so alas, we missed out on seeing these little treasures running live. But we saw plenty of other native creatures.....

The Wellington Green Gecko which only lives in the southern half of the North Island, and is distinguished from the Auckland Green Gecko by it's yellow soled feet.....

Wellington Green Geko

Tuatara reptiles......known as living fossils.....they can live over 100 years.....they were around with the dinosaurs.....they haven't changed in 225 million years......and they are only found in NZ....can you see the little fellow there....camouflaged right in the middle of the picture?

Baby Tuatara

They are mostly nocturnal reptiles, and cold blooded, but they sometimes like to bask in the sun to warm up.....just like this one here......

Medium Tuatara

The Kaka.....one of NZ's three native parrots.....lives in native forests......

NZ Kaka

And the Tui.....a native bird belonging to the honeyeater family....they feed mainly on nectar from native flowers.....and live in native bush.....

NZ Tui

It may not be native, but Little Miss was chuffed when I found this little green walking stick and placed it on her hand.....

These are just some of the diverse and exotic creatures that can be found in NZ.....the plants and scenery can be pretty impressive too.....

Unfurling frond of the Tree Fern

Tree Fern

Little Miss

Zealandia is situated in a valley that comprises the original concrete water reservoirs for the Wellington region .....now decommissioned due to earthquake risk. This is the little inspection tower which is reached via a small bridge, and has been renovated using the original colours.....

Inspection Tower

Here's the inspection tower and little bridge.....notice just how close suburbia is.....

It is hoped that this area, which is now fully enclosed, will be restored to something of it's former state over a 500 year timeframe.....the time it will take for the forest to regain its former diversity and structure.....WOW, that's a long time.....

View from the lookout platform of one of the two dams and lakes.....

It was such an amazing place, and an ideal introduction for the Angels to some of New Zealand's native flora and fauna.....with a picnic lunch and the sun shining again, it was an interesting, educational and fun day. Thanks A.....it was awesome!

-xx-