Summer Days Bring Greater Fire Danger to National Parks

Forest and Bird, Issue 178, 1 November 1970, Page 17

Summer Days Bring Greater Fire Danger to National Parks

AMONG the most significant natural areas of New Zealand are the 10 national parks set apart “for the purpose of preserving in perpetuity . . . for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, areas of New Zealand that contain scenery of such distinctive quality or natural features so beautiful or unique that their preservation is in the national interest.” National park custodians, seeking to preserve a priceless heritage for future generations, are continually striving to prevent or to control as completely as possible the bugbear of mancaused fires in these parks. Recently while several shooters were preparing an evening meal in the Murchison Valley of Mount Cook National Park their kerosene cooker flared up and ignited overhanging vegetation. The fire got completely out of hand and burnt in a line up the side of the Liebig Range, fanned by a moderate northwest wind. Fire-fighting operations proved fruitless in the face of the increasing wind, and it was very fortunate indeed that no one was killed or injured. Early on the third day the wind dropped and heavy rain put the fire out. From one small flame about 7,000 acres of flat to steep-sloping parkland was thus

WHILE making my way from the Lake Tarawera waterfront round to the Te Wairoa Stream mouth to check anglers in June, I heard a bird’s distressing scream coming from the side of the track. I then saw a ruru (morepork) and a kotare (kingfisher) fighting on the ground, with the kotare distinctly coming off second best. The ruru appeared to be doing all the attacking, while the poor kotare was trying in vain to hide in the fern. It had no option but to turn and defend whenever the ruru flew in to the attack. The kotare appeared to be injured and when it did try to fly or run the ruru would attack immediately. At this stage I intervened, and not until I was only 3 ft away did the ruru fly to safety, perching on a mamaku fern only about 5 yd off. As I went to pick up the kotare it tried to run into the fern, but it was not fast enough; so it turned around screaming and attacked

Kotare Badly Injured in Fight with Ruru

largely denuded of its attractive totarabroadleaf forests, sub-alpine scrub, and tussock and other grasses Code of Behaviour Park administrators have drawn up a code of behaviour for all visitorswhether they are trampers, hunters, botanists, geologists, mountaineers, or picnic parties. If everyone observes this code, our country’s natural park resources will be safeguarded for present and future generations.

To prevent fire the code says:

“Take no risks with fire. Obey all fire notices. Stub out cigarettes and matches. All fires should be in safe places and must be properly extinguished; that is, doused with water or soil before leaving. Never light a fire in a risk area in windy conditions, when sparks may fly. Use only dead wood for fuel.” The main question which park users and visitors alike should bear in mind is: “If others come and follow the example of what I am doing now, will this spot continue to retain its natural beauty and attractions?” If the answer is “no”, you are spoiling the scenery and wearing out your welcome.

my hand. An inspection of the female kotare revealed one eye scratched out and also deep scratches down the same side of its head and neck. It also appeared to have lost power in one of its wings. Because of the bird’s state I destroyed it on the spot, with the ruru watching every movement from the nearby mamaku. The ruru did not appear to have any wounds from the fight. When I first found the two birds fighting it was just before 8 a.m. One of the anglers told me that the birds had been in combat for half an hour before I arrived. As it was midwinter, when daylight arrives late, the ruru could have attacked the kotare just before daybreak while it was asleep. The kotare, on the other hand, may have had an injury, possibly the damaged wing, which caused the ruru to attack.

—P. J. ANDERSON,

Field Officer, Wildlife Service.