Reverse brain drain - Aussie pelicans move to NZ

Email
Print

Aussie pelicans move to NZ

3News NZ

Eighty-seven thousand Kiwis moved to Australia last year, and about 40,000 Aussies moved here in that time.

But its just 14 of those Australians that we're interested in tonight: 14 remarkable birds that have managed to fly 2,000km across the Tasman Sea to set up home in the north.

The birds are pelicans, and the unusual thing about this migration is how large it is.

Pelicans have flown across the Tasman before but not in great enough numbers to start a new population.

Well a new chapter in the history of New Zealand wildlife is quietly being written on the banks of the Wairoa River, near Dargaville.

It involves our new Australian friends, some mullets, and a tiny town that few have ever heard of.

Tristram Clayton headed north to find out what's going on.

Watch the video to see his report.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

21/04/2013 2:13:40 p.m.

Ian wrote:

Unfortunately, it has been reported on the Birding NZ forum today, that 2 of the pelicans have been killed by "hunters" ! If this is true it is very disappointing, these birds flew here all the way from Australia to make New Zealand their home & should not be shot at by idiot vandals ! Can TV3 please investigate this matter ? People need to be made aware that these birds are fully protected self introduced native birds & are a welcome addition to the very limited selection of birds that we have in this country.

6/04/2013 9:12:27 p.m.

michelle wrote:

We saw the pelicans on the north part of Sand Island today near Tapora approx 12 we counted.

11/03/2013 7:44:13 p.m.

ricky wrote:

Couldnt believe my eyes when i saw a group of 5 pelicans hanging out outside the mangroves by my house in te atatu peninsula in auckland. Thats when i found this article. So the update is they are also in the inner waitamata harbour. How cool....

7/12/2012 6:38:05 p.m.

Jo wrote:

Does anyone know if they are still there? My 88 year old grandma is Pelican mad and would love to see them (she is hoping they will move to Hamilton Lake)

20/10/2012 6:46:20 p.m.

Wendy Gillespie wrote:

I undertake pelican research and rescue in New South Wales and also provide general information to locals and visitors in relation to the Australian Pelican. One of my regular jokes has been that "pelicans have holidayed in New Zealand but always return home". About 10 days ago I met a family of kiwis at the Pelican Info session who told me about the larger group that had arrived on the North Island. My first query was whether immature birds had made the journey i.e. 3rd year pelicans to check out the opportunities in NZ as other pelicans species have known to do including the African Great White (satellite tracking study). Based on the footage it appears they do! With 15 years of observation of OZ pelicans under my belt I may make the journey to document the ages and gender of the group myself. My Oz contact is 61 0458975498. With a fossil record dating back 40 million years that indicates virtually the same design I have been amazed that they havenot settled in NZ. Iwas astounded during my trip to NZ in 2009 that White-faced Herons had becvome such an established and succesful species while pelicans were designed to do these distances?....Anyway a very exciting chapter to be on the planet when they may colonise across the ditch. The main requirements are a bare sand island with no disturbance. A 50 metre no go zone is required to ensure no disturbance. Wendy Gillespie BSc, MTropEnvMgmt (PS I have been studying the anthropogenic impacts on an urban colony for the past 2 years with a particular focus on recreational fishing impacts. PLEASE DO NOT FEED OLD/OUT OF DATE FOOD, LARGE MEAT BONES, FISH WITH TACKLE...I have just autopsied 9 young pelicans from the age of 3 to 11 weeks that have died from out of date prawns and caviar dumped at the end of holidays by obviously "wealthy party goers" as it was beluga caviar. The worst thing that can be done is to humanise and imrpint particularly juveniles as they will not make it psychologically! If they are still there let me know as I shall make a dash across the ditch to ID gender and age for you!!!!!!

1/09/2012 9:27:32 p.m.

Fraser wrote:

Why do people say oh no they will be a threat to our wildlife, almost all of our birds originate from Austarila. this is a new chapter in NZs already depleted native/endemic bird list. this is now our newest native bird and is very welcome to NZ. Moreporkes are from Australia, Kakarike are from australia althoug they have now changed so much to become their own species. kaka and kea are relatives of cockatoo. This is nature and this is natural so leave them be and let nature take its course. And they have every right to eat our native birds shal they so choose, because the very fact is THEY ARE NOW NATIVE. Give it a few hundred years and they will change so much from the aussie birds, they may just become Endemic to NZ

30/08/2012 12:18:24 p.m.

Christian wrote:

Hey Milly. I dont think they are any worse than our local hawks. or Even worse the dam pukeko, They kill everything.

29/08/2012 4:28:37 a.m.

MILLY wrote:

Just watched another video featuring Pelicans eating the young of other birds. I just hope that these Aussie invaders aren't a threat to our own native birds.

28/08/2012 7:19:03 p.m.

Christian wrote:

Great to see them here. But can someone sort out the law on Importing Birds into New zealand. We are not allowed to import or Quarantine any birds because or avairian diseases and yet lots of birds fly into the country every year these birds could be carrying these diseases. Can anyone tell me why we cannot import Birds to NZ ? I think the government need to change there old laws about bird importation of Birds.

27/08/2012 4:34:39 p.m.

L. Adams wrote:

Maybe someone should tell the lone pelican at Kerikeri where his mates are. He must have taken a wrong turn.