The Challenges of Restoring Biodiversity to a Fenced Mainland Island in an Urban Environment in New Zealand
The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary is located just 10 minutes from downtown Wellington, New Zealand. With the aim to restore pre-human biodiversity and ecosystems in 225ha of regenerating lowland forest, an 8.6km fence was constructed in 1999 and the first successful eradication and exclusion of at least 14 species of introduced mammals was achieved within 5 months of completion of the fence. The fence has now operated successfully for nearly 7 years. Translocations of 15 species (12 birds, 1 frog, 1 reptile and 1 invertebrate) have been undertaken, many restored back to the mainland for the first time in over 100 years. The challenges of maintaining biosecurity and controlling house mouse (Mus musculus) following reinvasion, and restoring self-sustaining populations of species, especially flighted birds, into a fenced area adjacent to an urban environment will be discussed.