A Review – Ken Tustin, Research Manager

The last six months have seen a consolidation in our infrastructure and significant developments in some projects. Here are some highlights:

Fiordland Moose Project: It was heartening to have a second DNA confirmation of the existence of moose come to light in October 2005, the last relating to a snagged hair sample recovered from Wet Jacket Arm three years earlier. These two records to date are extremely significant finds – with no recourse to “subjective” or interpretive judgments of what constitutes moose field “sign”, forensic evidence now tells us that moose have existed in Fiordland from 1910 to at least 2002. If we are “reading” moose sign accurately then, and the DNA confirmation suggests we are, then moose continue to exist Right Now! However, it seems that this realization, and its considerable consequences, has yet to dawn on most New Zealanders!

Hamilton-based Deer Improvement Corporation, (under Director DR Peter Gatley) kindly picked up sponsorship for the DNA analyses. They are running these with The Natural Resource DNA Profiling and Forensic Centre at Trent University in Ontario, Canada. We currently have some recently-found hair samples being tested, and hope shortly to begin the more difficult task of analyzing some 40 faecal pellet samples collected over the last 10 years. So….Watch This Space!

Himalayan Tahr Behavior Project: As a fortunate spin-off from my own work on Tahr social interactive behavior here in NZ, I was invited to join a small group of Italian researchers from University of Siena who have been engaged in similar work in Nepal. The effort was headed by Professor Sandro Lovari (his 17th in year in Nepal) who has spent a lifetime working with mountain ungulates in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. We spent a month (in November/December 2005) based from a simple lodge run by a Sherpa family in the village of Namche, at nearly 4000m and on the trail to Everest Base Camp in Sagarmatha National Park. The work, some involving tranquillising and marking adult Tahr, was part of a four-year project. Apart from the privilege of working with Italian experts and with Tahr in their homeland, was the fascinating interplay looming between Tahr and snow leopard populations. It is certain that the contact between our various research efforts will bring enduring benefits to both parties.

NZWT have produced a couple of short films on Tahr in both NZ and the Himalayas. While the overall quality may be insufficient to stand alone in the market-place, it is hoped that they may help interest a professional documentary-maker in producing a Himalayan tahr feature. They will certainly see use in educational forums. Editing them was the hard work of Steve Couper (Queenstown). Safari Club International (NZ) helped with some camera equipment. Thank you.

Sambar Deer: NZWT/DR John Cossens successfully tendered for the opportunity to analyse submissions presented from a major survey conducted by DoC on management of Sambar deer in the eastern North Island. This work is presently being completed.

NZWT Infrastructure: John Cossens has picked up the volunteer Project Manager/General Manager positions and his enthusiasm, vigor and skill and considerable time spent are very much appreciated by all the Trustees. Our work with Tania Cassidy has produced this website, one of our main tools right now for keeping people in touch. It is planned to keep the site regularly updated. We have nearly completed work on a logo/letterhead and cards which hopefully will become familiar. Thanks Tania. Special thanks to Roger Wilson, our Administrator/Accountant from Ward Wilson Ltd, Invercargill for his dedication, professionalism and wisdom.

Publications: Trustee Graeme Dingle has just published “Dingle – discovering the sense in adventure”, Neville Peat has written a biography of Patron Sir Tim Wallis in “Hurricane Tim”, I have a couple of chapters authored/coauthored “The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals” and another in “The Hunting Tales of Percy Lyes” and we had good exposure in several outdoor magazines. Newspapers have given us good coverage when we have anything new to report and sometimes when we don’t!

In all, it has been a most satisfying period! Especially so, knowing how much more there is to come…

Ken Tustin

6/2/06

See Archived Newspaper cuttings in PDF format and links to TVNZ articles