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The Mohua (Yellowhead) of Makarora need you!

$6,395 of $10,000 goal
Given by 82 generous donors in 11 days

Help save the Makarora Mohua who are at risk of extinction by a rat plague

Otago

We all want our native taonga species to survive – for our children & our children’s children. Unfortunately, introduced predators kill 25 million native birds each year, & conservation of native species is massively underfunded. At Southern Lakes Sanctuary, we, alongside our partner group Central Otago Lakes Branch of Forest & Bird, are working to control predators to ensure the survival of our taonga species.

Mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala), also known as Yellowhead are at risk right now with declining populations – especially in mainland areas. Once one of the most common forest birds in the South Island, they are now found only in a few areas of South Island beech forest. Makarora is one of the only places where you can see & hear mohua at the side of the road – but we are on a knifes edge from losing these birds.

Mohua nest in tree holes, making them highly vulnerable to predation by rats especially while raising chicks.

When beech trees flower & seed heavily (mast season), it leads to a boom in rat numbers. Once the seeds are gone, these predators turn to eating native species like our beloved mohua which can become extinct within a single season if extra measures are not taken.

Sadly, in Makarora we are at that point right now!

Our staff & volunteers have increased trapping & are installing bait stations throughout the forests of Makarora so that the mohua will survive the 2023 beech mast & rat plague.

You can help by donating “a mohua for a mohua” to fund bait & trapping.

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Latest update

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With your help we're making a difference  28 November 2023

Thanks to the generous support of all our donors, we have been able to install over 600 bait stations throughout the Makarora forests. We've been closely monitoring two mohua nests - which are at the chick feeding stage - and we're excited to see the chicks fledge. We have also banded 12 new mohua - allowing us to monitor these birds visually.

For anyone who has been sent the link to this crowdfunding campaign after it has closed, you are welcome to make a donation direct through our website - https://southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/get-involved/ every little bit helps in the war against the rats!

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Latest donations

Paul
Paul on 17 Nov 2023
$100 $44.90 matched
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust

Thanks Paul! Really appreciate your support!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust
Petrina
Petrina on 17 Nov 2023
Keep up the amazing work!
$20 matched
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust

Thanks! We really appreciate your support of our fundraiser!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust
Cage
Cage on 16 Nov 2023
$25 matched
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust

Thank you so much Cage! Really appreciate your support!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust
Carol
Carol on 16 Nov 2023
Private matched
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust

Thank you Carol, we really appreciate your support of the mahi our volunteers and staff are doing to protect the mohua!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust
Portia
Portia on 16 Nov 2023
$30 matched
Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust

Thank you Portia - we are super grateful for your support!

Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust
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This campaign started on 6 Nov 2023 and ended on 17 Nov 2023.