New Zealand is a remarkable place for wildlife. So many of the animals and plants found here are not found anywhere else in the world. Many of the endemic species are also the rarest of their kind. All of this makes for a recipe for wildlife adventure like nowhere else on the planet. Today, our expedition took us to Enderby Island, home to two of these very rare animals: the New Zealand sea lion and the yellow-eyed penguin. Both animals are extremely rare, and both are only found on New Zealand’s Sub-Antarctic Islands. In the Sub-Antarctic, circumstances align–weather, sea state, and, of course, wildlife–that allow us to see unique flora and fauna. Today, circumstances were ideal for a great morning visit to Enderby Island.
12/21/2024
Read
National Geographic Orion
Great Barrier Island, New Zealand
Due North of Auckland, New Zealand lies a secluded archipelago known as the Bay of Islands. National Geographic Orion motored within this paradisical labyrinth to reach Great Barrier Island. A dedicated group of conservationists have been fighting a winning battle against invasive mammals for the last several decades. Today, our National Geographic-Lindblad explorers were the beneficiaries of this inspirational project. Awaiting our arrival on the docks was the highly endangered New Zealand brown teal. As if to thank the conservationists for his survival, the precious feathered wonder posed for photographs in the morning sun. As we meandered through floral gardens, we were serenaded by the New Zealand tui as they hopped from branch to branch in search of juicy nectar. After reaching the island’s summit, we were greeted by a Maori conservationist who explained the importance of the forest to his people. We eased our way through a canopy of ancient tree ferns to the prize of the forest, a giant kauri tree. It stood defiantly among the ferns as a testament to the island’s ecological recovery. A swaying canopy bridge allowed each participant to walk within touching distance of this marvel of the New Zealand forest.
