All Fenced in and Loving It

The South Island Tieke is making a protected return home after a 100-year hiatus, as the newest resident of the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Forty tiekes, also known as saddlebacks, were released into the predator free sanctuary near Dunedin, joining a stunning variety of native species, including parakeets, jeweled geckos, kiwi, and captive-bred kaka, released into the sanctuary last November. Orokonui is surrounded by a special fence that protects in habitants from all potential predators. The wiring of the fence is fine enough to stop even the smallest mice, and a ‘top hat’ blocks climbers, while a ground skirt prevents animals from digging underneath.