Gecko on plant. Photo copyright: Ketzal Sterling (DOC USE ONLY).

Gecko on plant

Many of New Zealand's native animals are found nowhere else in the world. Apart from bats and marine mammals (such as seals and dolphins), New Zealand has no native mammals!  We do have lots of unique native fish, insects, birds, lizards and frogs.

We boast the world's only flightless parrot (the kakapo), and a bird with nostrils at the end of its beak (the kiwi), also flightless. Safe from predatory mammals, birds ran free on the ground and several species lost the use of their wings. A host of other animals have retained their ancient forms. Wingless crickets, known as weta, grew to take the place of mice in the food chain as they foraged on the forest floor, and a primitive frog bears live young.

 
 
Contact

DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number

Phone 0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468) to report:

Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings