Southern Discoveries Shape Fiordlands Newest Sanctuary

Southern Discoveries has announced a sponsorship project that will see the valley of New Zealand’s most photographed mountain become a sanctuary for native species.

The Sinbad Gully, at the base of the world renowned ‘Mitre Peak’ in Milford Sound, is the focus of attention in a joint project with Southern Discoveries, the Fiordland Conservation Trust and Department of Conservation.

Sinbad Gully was home in the 1970’s to the last known kakapo living on the mainland. Since then new species of gecko and skink have been discovered there, some clinging to rock ledges 1600 metres above sea level with frost damage to their bodies.

“Something is obviously wrong when lizards only survive this high in Fiordland,” said DOC’s Area Manager for Te Anau, Reg Kemper.

The Sinbad Gully Pest Control Project will see Southern Discoveries make a substantial annual donation to establish a pest control programme that will allow the threatened birds, lizards and invertebrate species to increase in number.

“World Heritage Status has not achieved protection for this valley from the rats, stoats, mice and possums that have made this area their home,” said Roger McNaughton, Chairman of the Fiordland Conservation Trust. “Southern Discoveries’ significant donation has ensured the establishment of this exciting project. The protection of the threatened wildlife would not be going ahead without their contribution”.

John Robson, Southern Discoveries General Manager, said the sponsorship was a long term commitment. “We are really excited to support such a worthwhile project in this beautiful area of New Zealand. This will create a new safe site where threatened species may be reintroduced in the future.

“The Sinbad Gully has all the makings of a spectacular and unique conservation project,” Mr Robson said.

Southern Discoveries plans to profile the Sinbad Gully Pest Control Project in their interpretation material for tourists in the Milford Sound area. This includes their tour boats, the Milford Sound Discovery Centre and the Blue Duck Café.

“As a result the educational spin-offs of the project will be far reaching, not only within New Zealand, but also in the international arena,” Mr Robson said.

Background Information

The Sinbad Gully is located close to the head of Milford Sound within Fiordland National Park and the Te W
hipounamu - South West New Zealand world heritage area.

In 1974 Sinbad Gully was set apart as a “Special Area” because of the presence of kakapo and the largely unmodified state of the vegetation. This status was lifted in 1992. At this stage deer had become established in Sinbad Gully and kakapo were thought to be no longer present, therefore it was considered no longer necessary to restrict public access under the special area status. Sinbad Gully is now classified as part of the “Eastern Remote Zone” under the Fiordland National Park Management Plan (2007).

The Sinbad Gully has a natural barrier of steep terrain, combined with a cold, wet climate which has limited the invasion of mammalian predators. These attributes have contributed to making it a safer refuge for the rare lizard species such as the Sinbad and Mahogany skinks and the Cascade gecko. All three were only recently discovered in the Sinbad Gully and the Sinbad skink is known only to the Sinbad Gully. Other species present include rock wren, kea, whio, kiwi, weka, large weta and other large colourful invertebrates. The valley was also one of the last refuges of kakapo in Fiordland.

The animal pests that DoC proposes to control have a serious impact on native wildlife through direct predation and competition for food. Control of both possums and stoats will be the key focus for the project. In time if funding allows rodent and deer control may also become a focus in the Sinbad.

Once the initial knockdown of possums and stoats has been achieved, ongoing control work will be required to maintain low predator densities. Maintenance control will be achieved through regular servicing of stoat traps and by monitoring possum densities and controlling as required. The valley walls surrounding the Sinbad Gully form a natural barrier that will limit the re-invasion of introduced predators.