Southern Discoveries' Sinbad Gully conservation project outstanding success

A major Milford Sound conservation project spearheaded by leading South Island tourism company Southern Discoveries is proving an outstanding success in restoring a natural haven to its former glory.
With the help of volunteers from Southern Discoveries’ staff and the Department of Conservation, the most recent trip into Sinbad Gully revealed only five rats had been caught compared to the previous trip when four stoats and eight rats were trapped.

The Sinbad Gully initiative was launched in 2009 by Southern Discoveries as a joint project with the Fiordland Conservation Trust and Department of Conservation.

Named after the area at the base of world-renowned Mitre Peak in Milford Sound, the project is a long-term pest control programme that will enable threatened birds such as rock wren, kea, whio, kiwi, and weka, as well as lizards and other large colourful invertebrates, to increase in number.
In the last 12 months the monitoring team has caught 32 rats, one mouse and 13 stoats and carried out monitoring of Silver Beech seed fall in the area and population checks of the endangered Sinbad Skink.

Of the 13 stoats caught, only one has been caught in the top half of the valley, with all others trapped in its lower reaches, which is good for the rare species of skink and gecko which prefer the higher rocky outcrops.

In the 1970s Sinbad Gully was home to the last known kakapo living on the mainland. Since then new species of gecko and skink have been discovered.  The top of Sinbad Gully is the only known habitat of the rare Sinbad Skink which has recently been classified as nationally endangered.

Since the project’s inception four years ago 55 stoats and 112 rats have been trapped, regular Silver Beech seed fall monitoring has taken place, rat and mice tunnels monitored for activity, and Whio and Sinbad Skink surveys conducted.

Predators love to feed on beech seed so it’s encouraging to see a low amount of silver beech seed was recorded in the Sinbad Gully during autumn 2012 and 2013, suggesting that predator numbers will remain low heading into the 2013/14 season.

Southern Discoveries is strongly committed to the project and aside from its initial support, annual financial contributions and donation of staff time to the project work to date includes the completion of 8.5 km of new tracks to gain access to the valley and the installation of trap markers and over 70 traps.

Paul Stephens, bar supervisor at Southern Discoveries’ Blue Duck Café in Milford Sound, was lucky enough to fly in for the most recent trip to the Gully which can only be accessed via boat or helicopter.

“I was thrilled to get the opportunity to go into Sinbad Gully, because it’s so remote and amazingly beautiful.  When you’re up the valley there’s no other sounds, just the birds and wildlife,” he said.

“The weather was just perfect and with a small amount of snow at the head of the valley, it looked stunning. We heard plenty of kea and kaka, which was fantastic to hear.”

“You get an immense satisfaction checking the traps, knowing what you’re doing is protecting and preserving this amazing place for future generations.

“DOC workers officers are fantastic at sharing their knowledge and I can’t wait to go back and work with them again.”

Weather pending the next trap check will be conducted mid-August when another Southern Discoveries’ team member will have the opportunity to take part in the project.

Southern Discoveries General Manager John Robson said the project was very much part of the company’s long term commitment to the regeneration and protection of natural wildlife in the Fiordland area.

“When we started the Sinbad Gully Conservation Project we hoped we’d see positive and tangible effects on the environment and we’ve not been disappointed,” he said.

“Not only does the project have a profound impact on preserving the natural habitat for the future, it also allows our staff to really get to grips with their working environment and be a part of something hugely rewarding.

“There aren’t many places in the world where you can visit a UNESCO Heritage site as part of your job and have such a hands on approach in preserving the environment.”

“The project is a great example of the Department of Conservation, Fiordland Conservation Trust and private business working together to ensure we are doing everything possible for this unique area.”