Series Classification: G (General Audiences)
Film Synopsis
Andrew Legault with Kākāriki karaka/Orange-Fronted Parakeet, once New Zealand's rarest forest bird, South Branch Hurunui Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Loss looks at the devastating effect introduced mammals have had on New Zealand’s unique wildlife.
In the first episode of Fight for the Wild, we discover the incredible and unique diversity of ancient Aotearoa and how, since the arrival of humans, so much has been lost. We meet the three introduced predators responsible for much of that loss – rats, possums and stoats - and find out about the carnage they continue to wreak on our native wildlife.
In remote Fiordland we watch kiwi chicks falling victim to stoats and in a hidden valley in Canterbury we meet New Zealand’s rarest forest bird and the incredible efforts to bring it back from the brink.
“New Zealand is the country in the world that has the highest proportion of our native species that are at risk of or threatened with extinction. Right now, we have something like 4000 species that are in trouble.” Kevin Hague
“We are the curators or the custodians of a whole lot of wonderful species. The time is now and it's never been so critical. Many of our species are still declining.” Andrea Byrom
“Are we going to watch these species disappear or are we going to save them?” Jan Hania
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Podcast Synopsis
Graeme Atkins in Raukumara Forest, East Cape Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Dealing with Loss takes listeners back to Gondwana, to explore just why our native birds are so tragically vulnerable to predation by mammals from another hemisphere.
Host Dave Hansford then presents a series of “criminal profiles” introducing listeners to the Predator Free target species: the brushtail possum, the stoat, the kiore, and the ship and Norway rats, through accounts from the country’s leading experts.
The podcast then quantifies the loss — one of the worst extinction episodes on the planet — before relating the peril that continues today, with commentary from field experts on the impacts of this suite of predators.
Kākāriki karaka/Orange-Fronted Parakeet recovery team weigh chick Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Leigh Percasky hand rears kākāriki karaka/Orange-Fronted Parakeet chick, Isaac Conservation & Wildlife Trust, Canterbury Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Tim Raemaekers tracking tagged Tokoeka Kiwi chicks for recruitment study, Shy Lake, Fiordland National Park Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Tokoeka Kiwi researcher Tim Raemaekers, Shy Lake, Fiordland National Park Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Tokoeka Kiwi researcher Tim Raemaekers, above Shy Lake, Fiordland National Park Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Tim Raemaekers tracking tagged Tokoeka Kiwi chicks for recruitment study, Shy Lake, Fiordland National Park Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
Tina Ngata conducts Raukumara Roadshow hui, Tolaga Bay, East Cape Photo: Fisheye Films / Peter Young
[click here for more episodes]
Fisheye Films Photo: Fisheye Films
Fisheye Films is an award-winning media production company with bases in Auckland and Christchurch. Established in 1997 by Peter Young, Fisheye Films has extensive experience in the production of feature documentaries and factual television series, as well as commercials and corporate videos for the national and international market.
Third Party Funder Photo: Supplied
Third Party Funder Photo: Supplied
Third Party Funder Photo: Supplied
Third Party Funder Photo: Supplied
Photo: RNZ/NZ On Air
