These elusive Auckland species are found nowhere else in the world

New Zealand, due to its distinctive topography, climate, and lack of indigenous land mammals, is a country that is home to unique flora and fauna.

Native birds, reptiles, and insects dominate the wildlife scene, most of which are found nowhere else on the planet. More remarkable still is that part of that vast selection can only be found in Auckland.

While some species, such as the colossal North Auckland worm, can be found writhing in the mud of the city’s northernmost suburbs, most have only persisted on the Auckland Islands, where predators are few and far between. .

With that in mind, keeping these islands pest free is vital to the continued survival of the creatures that call Auckland home.

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Of course, the road to predator-free New Zealand is rocky, but that doesn’t mean it’s a completely implausible goal.

In addition to the many strategies and projects currently being implemented by environmentally conscious organizations, there are also many things that can be done individually to help rescue the island’s declining wildlife, and in turn Auckland.

Dave Houston, technical advisor to the Department of Conservation, said there are a few things to keep in mind when traveling through the Auckland region this summer.

“People visiting nearby islands during the summer should check their equipment and boats for pests,” he said.

“Make sure you clean your shoes and gear to remove dirt and weeds, seal your gear in zippered bags, and don’t bring dogs ashore in island reserves.”

The Muriwai gecko

The Muriwai gecko is restricted to the sloping sand dunes of Auckland’s rugged west coast.

Given its tiny size, sandy-toned scales, and dwindling population, the gecko is as elusive as it sounds. It has been so rarely seen since its first sighting in 1954 that it was only recognized as a new species in 2014, and has yet to be given a scientific name.

Currently the Auckland Council and Auckland Zoo are working to determine the number and where it can be found along the west coast.

While the specifics remain ambiguous, one thing is for sure: the gecko’s survival is seriously threatened. The biggest concern is, unsurprisingly, humans and monstrous four-wheelers illegally raiding through the dunes.

“The gecko is something that we have recently learned about and we are still working on its distribution,” said Richard Gibson, head of animal care and conservation at Auckland Zoo.

“It is one of eight endemic lizards that have been labeled ‘nationally critical’, which means there are less than 200 of them. What I do know is that a big reason the numbers are so small is because of the huge 4x4s that drive where they shouldn’t. “

The North Auckland Worm

Auckland sees the world-famous Waitomo fireflies and in turn spawns a huge glow-in-the-dark earthworm that can grow up to 75 centimeters long.

The North Auckland Worm, or Giant Anisochaetaa, is the largest known earthworm in New Zealand and can be found in the soil of the northernmost suburbs of the city.

Luckily for entomophobes, they are rarely seen. They traverse deep underground tunnel systems and, despite having a vivid fluorescent glow, rarely reach the surface.

While this is advantageous for avoiding predators, it can also become a trap during heavy rains, said ecologist Annemieke Hendriks.

“The tunnel network can collapse or flood. Worms breathe through the skin, as they don’t have gills or lungs, so drowning is a real threat to them. “

As with all worms, the North Auckland variety plays an important role in the ecosystem.

“Worms are quite important to consume and ‘classify’ the soil,” Hendriks said.

“They consume bacteria and microorganisms, which pass through their bodies before returning to the soil. This process makes the land more fertile and good soil produces good plants! “

Like most ecosystem services, the worm is likely to be unappreciated until it is gone.

“It is important that we never take a species for granted, even if it appears to ‘just’ be a worm.”

The storm petrel

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the New Zealand storm petrel, a small seabird that calls Little Barrier Island home, dancing in the waters of the Hauraki Gulf. Sightings are rare, and the monochromatic bird is so elusive it was thought to be extinct until 2003, Houston said.

“It is likely that they were much more widespread in the Auckland region and even further afield, but they have been wiped out on many islands and mainland sites due to the introduction of predators and the effects of humans,” he said.

The population is believed to be in the hundreds, if not thousands, and over the years the conservation status of the species has changed dramatically. It was upgraded from ‘data poor’ to ‘nationally compromised’ in 2013, and then to ‘nationally vulnerable’ in 2016.

The black petrel

Alongside the storm petrels is the black petrel – medium-sized, robust birds with black legs and feet that can be found nesting in burrows on the Great and Little Barrier Islands.

Great Barrier is home to the largest population, with an estimated 1000 breeding pairs and 1000 non-breeding birds, while the Little Barrier Island colony is estimated at around 100 breeding pairs.

Partially for a cephalopod or two, the black petrel can be found diving off the north shore, under cover of darkness, before resurfacing from the waters with bioluminescent squid.

When they are not breeding or hunting squid, Houston said, they are “migrating to waters off South America.”

“During the non-breeding season, black petrels have been reported off the coasts of Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and the Galapagos.”

Mokohinau stag beetle

The Mokohinau deer is a large nocturnal flightless beetle that has a glossy black hue. It was first discovered in 1893 by lighthouse keeper Andreas Stewart Sandager, and it now ranks so high on the endangered species list that it is hardly on the list.

“It is almost extinct,” Gibson said.

“In fact, it could already be. They haven’t seen each other in years. “

The rats eliminated the horned beast so ruthlessly that the entire species now comprises a small group confined to a single rock pile on the Mokohinau Islands, a group of islands located 100 km northeast of the Auckland mainland.

Gibson said efforts are being made to restore their numbers, which are currently unknown.

Chevron skink

The Chevron skink is New Zealand’s longest lizard, often reaching more than 12 inches from nose to tip of tail, and one of the most threatened, currently listed as ‘nationally vulnerable’ according to the classification system of DOC threats.

According to Houston, “only about 500 sightings have been reported since it was first described in 1906.”

For almost 90 years, the delicately patterned lizard was thought to only survive on Great Barrier Island until, in 1991, a lone adult stumbled upon Little Barrier.

The numbers are believed to be steadily increasing due, in part, to Little Barrier Island’s coveted predator-free status. The reintroduction of stoats, rats, cats, or any other troublesome animal would prove disastrous for the delicate fur of gallon k.