Ark in the Park is an open sanctuary and conservation project in the Waitākere Ranges near Auckland.[1] It is a partnership between Forest & Bird and Auckland Council that is supported by Te Kawerau ā Maki[1] that aims to remove non-native pest mammals and predators and re-introduce species that were made extinct in the area.[2]
History
The project was started in 2002 by a small group of volunteers,[3] who set traps for pest species within the Ark in the Park sanctuary area.[4] A pilot programme covering 200 hectares was launched in 2003 which saw bait lines spaced 100m apart through the forest, with bait stations every 50m.[5] By 2019, the project covered 2,270 hectares.[6]
Species reintroduction
A number of native bird species have been reintroduced to the park, beginning with whitehead (Шаблон:Lang) and North Island robin (Шаблон:Lang). In 2007, hihi (stitchbird) were released, however the translocation was not successful.[7][8] In 2009, kokako were reintroduced to the area; having last been seen in the ranges in the 1950s.[8][4]
