What started as an urban ecosanctuary for birds in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand’s capital, transformed into a formidable ecological revolution to restore the city to its pre-human, pre-predators state, some 700 years ago, where wildlife is thriving!
Founded 20 years ago, Zealandia is a 225-hectare area surrounded by an 8.6-kilometer fence meant to keep out pests – like rats and stoats. Local residents have joined the volunteer conservation movement by setting thousands of traps around the city, even in their own backyard, which led to the eradication of stoats, weasels, and Norway rats.
“Our mission is to radically transform how people live with nature in towns and cities,” says Zealandia Chief Executive Danielle Shanahan. “I don’t think anyone could have predicted this level of success in terms of the bird community that’s now flowing beyond the fence — species that have been gone from this region for over 100 years.”
The country aspires to be predator-free by 2050. The presence of native bird species – such as the endangered kākā, a cheeky parrot, the tūi, a boisterous bird, the colorful kererū pigeon, and the native penguin kororā – has increased by 50% on the peninsula. Marine mammals have also made a comeback to the natural amphitheater around the city harbor. Dolphins, fur seals, orca, and right whales can be observed regularly.
