I have been privileged to walk in "bush" in several diverse places in Aotearoa but didn't know enough to recognise how "modified" they were or what flora & fauna from the "before times" were missing. I currently most regularly walk in a remnant patch of bush surrounded by pine forest, and though grateful that when I am in it I am breathing the cleansed air, feeling the green light bathe me, listening to the tinkling of streams, and hearing native bird song in all seasons & times of the day, I am always aware of absences. Many birds I am used to hearing & seeing in more extensive native bush/forest while walking/camping are missing and I don't know enough to understand if they were ever present and have disappeared, or if this area being quite isolated was ever much more diverse in bird species (need to do some research eh?) It is possible the remnant is now too small to support more species...
IMHO wasting time & $$ on attempts to bring back the Moa would be more usefully spent on ensuring we look after the ones we still have, especially those on the brink. As we proved during COVID, when so many in the tourism sector couldn't work at their usual jobs but were willing & able to get out & do pest control (animal & vegetable!) & habitat restoration etc $$ spent on this type of work is a force multiplier in both helping our endangered flora & fauna but also expanding the connection of more people to their whenua & understanding how important conservation efforts are.
And... IF they succeeded, WHERE would they live? In a Zoo?
I think NZ can allocate a % of its GDP to biodiversity and some of that to preservation and restoration of its flora and fauna
Moa for me if Sir Peter J is bankrolling it and not the taxpayer. Far superior to the nocturnal kiwi
I have been privileged to walk in "bush" in several diverse places in Aotearoa but didn't know enough to recognise how "modified" they were or what flora & fauna from the "before times" were missing. I currently most regularly walk in a remnant patch of bush surrounded by pine forest, and though grateful that when I am in it I am breathing the cleansed air, feeling the green light bathe me, listening to the tinkling of streams, and hearing native bird song in all seasons & times of the day, I am always aware of absences. Many birds I am used to hearing & seeing in more extensive native bush/forest while walking/camping are missing and I don't know enough to understand if they were ever present and have disappeared, or if this area being quite isolated was ever much more diverse in bird species (need to do some research eh?) It is possible the remnant is now too small to support more species...
IMHO wasting time & $$ on attempts to bring back the Moa would be more usefully spent on ensuring we look after the ones we still have, especially those on the brink. As we proved during COVID, when so many in the tourism sector couldn't work at their usual jobs but were willing & able to get out & do pest control (animal & vegetable!) & habitat restoration etc $$ spent on this type of work is a force multiplier in both helping our endangered flora & fauna but also expanding the connection of more people to their whenua & understanding how important conservation efforts are.
And... IF they succeeded, WHERE would they live? In a Zoo?