Orana Wildlife Park is getting on board with Whio Awareness Month – these delightful ducks are one of the most endangered waterfowl, and are found only in New Zealand. The awareness month is a DOC/Genesis initiative and provides an opportunity to highlight the plight of these feathered friends.

The species is classified as nationally vulnerable and numbers are sitting at fewer than 3,000. These ducks have a fleshy lip on their bill that protects them when hunting for insects on rocks, and the greatest risk to them is introduced animals such as stoats. The Whio is one of the few waterfowl that live year-round on fast-flowing rivers, and they’re an important indicator of healthy rivers and streams.

Orana Wildlife Park is involved in the breed-for-release programme for the South Island. The programme involves breeding the ducks and releasing the ducklings on the West Coast. You can visit the cute ducks at the park – by doing so you’ll be directly supporting the cause.

oranawildlifepark.co.nz