Department of Conservation

Stability patterns can vary across scales within ecological systems. Understanding cross‐scale stability patterns can be important for informing conservation and management in landscapes. To identify underlying drivers of stability at local (habitat) and regional (floodplain) scales, both compositional and aggregate variability in terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and variability and synchrony between aquatic invertebrates and fish, were investigated in a dynamic floodplain landscape. Synchrony between local aquatic invertebrate communities was low, likely driven by local differences in flood disturbance. However, terrestrial invertebrates had high composition and biomass synchrony, consistent with more homogeneous terrestrial conditions (e.g. temperature). Fish biomass had lower variability than aquatic invertebrates, indicating mobile predators may benefit from spatially heterogeneous conditions. Preserving spatial environmental heterogeneity will therefore likely be important for maintaining landscape‐scale stability across multiple trophic levels in dynamic river environments.

Introduction Giraffe populations across Africa face increasing pressures from habitat loss, poaching, and climate-driven resource scarcity, often intensifying interactions with nearby communities. In eastern Kenya, these pressures have contributed to emerging human–giraffe conflict (HGC), including crop losses, competition for water, and occasional livestock injuries. Although this reticulated giraffes play an important ecosystem role in the African savanna and the socio-economic well-being of African communities, their interactions with people, and how communities perceive and navigate HGC especially in non-tourism regions remains understudied. Methods To address this gap, we conducted 400 structured interviews with households around Bour-Algy Giraffe Sanctuary to assess local interactions with giraffes, attitudes, perceived risks, conflict drivers and preferred strategies for coexistence. Results On average, respondents generally possessed positive attitudes towards giraffes and, on average, respondents did not see giraffes as a risk: to personal or children’s safety, of disease transfer, to cattle productivity, or the integrity of the land. Risk perception even decreased if a respondent had encountered a giraffe. Interestingly, giraffes were perceived not to cause damage to land or other property by 59% of participants thus highlighting that it may be possible to promote co-existence in the region for a majority of people. Competition for water, lack of awareness on giraffe ecology, giraffe habitat encroachment, and poverty were raised as the four main cause of conflict. Respondents supported the use of fire, torches, and dogs as way to deter giraffes from farms. Discussion Our findings reveal a landscape where conflict exists but remains manageable, and where strong community support for giraffe presence provides a foundation for conflict transformation. Because of the proximity of giraffes to farms and homesteads, economic activities such as agriculture and cultural tourism, women-led acacia tree nurseries, invasive prosopis control and utilization along with opening up water corridors may motivate communities and minimize HGC. Our work provides a basis for action by the community and policy makers to promote giraffe-farmer co-existence in eastern Kenya.

ABSTRACT Many seabirds are at risk of bycatch including in pelagic and demersal longline fisheries. Bycatch mitigation methods must be informed by seabird foraging behaviour to be effective. Deep‐diving seabirds are especially vulnerable to bycatch and also increase risks for less adept divers by bringing baited hooks back to the surface. We deployed time‐depth recorders paired with geolocation sensors or GPS loggers in Aotearoa New Zealand to quantify the diving ecology of three Procellaria petrel species (combined total number of dives = 12,767), all of which are vulnerable to bycatch in longline fisheries. We present the deepest dives recorded for each species, with Westland Petrels ( Procellaria westlandica ; n = 32) reaching 17.3 m, White‐chinned Petrels ( P. aequinoctialis ; n = 14) reaching 21.7 m, and Black Petrels ( P. parkinsoni ; n = 10) reaching 38.5 m, the deepest dive recorded by a Procellaria petrel. All species dived faster than the best practice longline sink rate of 0.5 m/s. All dived throughout both day and night, but Black Petrels dived more frequently during the day, while Westland Petrels dived more frequently at night. These results suggest that simultaneous implementation of weighted branch lines, bird‐scaring lines, and night setting is necessary to reduce bycatch in pelagic longline fisheries. This integrated approach effectively protects hooks from deep‐diving Procellaria petrels and prevents them from retrieving hooks and increasing risk to other seabirds. These results also bear direct relevance for custom, target‐specific mitigation methods in demersal longline fisheries. Overall, we provide the most in‐depth investigation into Procellaria petrel diving ecology to date with wide‐ranging implications for seabird conservation globally.

Abstract The detection and monitoring of environmental change is vital for sustainable river management, but historical data are often limited. This study leveraged volunteered geographic information and local ecological knowledge from experienced recreational anglers to identify historical baselines and long-term change in the Rakaia River, a protected catchment under a National Water Conservation Order (WCO) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Oral histories spanning seven decades were recorded using semi-structured interviews with 30 veteran fishers representing 1510 years of combined catchment-specific experience. Inductive thematic analysis and participatory mapping were used to identify physical environment changes and socio-cultural effects associated with recent declines in freshwater fish populations. River environment changes include the loss of natural features such as springs and pools, declines in characteristic native species and habitats, shrinking river mouth la-goon and river plume extents, and interactions with public access. Socio-cultural effects include reduced participation in fishing, community despondence, emotional distress and demographic shifts in fishing hut settlements. Over 20 reported changes involve adverse effects on values that are specifically protected under the WCO, indicative of a policy failure. Declines in multiple indicators of environment health suggest an implementation gap that requires greater attention to environmental monitoring and outcome evaluation yet is hampered by uncertainties around institutional responsibilities. Oral history approaches can help to establish historical baselines for gauging long-term change and enabling adaptive management in this and other data-poor situations.

BackgroundDeoxycholic acid (DCA), a gut microbiota-derived secondary metabolite, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, particularly against Clostridium perfringens(C. perfringens). However, its precise mechanistic action remains unclear.ObjectiveIn this study, we examined the inhibitory mechanism of DCA against C. perfringens through in vitro growth inhibition assays coupled with transcriptomic analysis.ResultThe study results indicate that DCA can effectively inhibit the formation of C. perfringens biofilms, disrupt their cell walls, increase cell membrane permeability, and cause nucleic acid leakage. Transcriptome analysis revealed that DCA can mediate its oxidative damage by up-regulating the oxidative phosphorylation pathway in C. perfringens and down-regulating antioxidant activity, peroxidase activity, and oxidoreductase activity. This study provides insights into the antimicrobial activity of DCA and its mechanisms, laying a theoretical foundation for its development as a novel antimicrobial agent or feed additive.

ABSTRACT Representativity within marine protection and planning refers to the principle of ensuring that the full range of biodiversity and ecosystems (and the species that they support) in a particular region is included in a network of marine protected areas (MPA). The New Zealand Seafloor Community Classification (NZSCC), which was developed to support MPA planning and reporting at a national scale, depicts compositional turnover of 1716 taxa (demersal fish, reef fish, benthic invertebrates and macroalgae) classified in 75 groups representing seafloor communities. Here, we use the NZSCC to evaluate representativity of benthic communities within current spatial management areas across New Zealand's marine environment based on the extent of each group within spatial management areas, estimates of within‐ and between‐group similarities and taxonomic richness. Results suggest that while offshore, deep‐water communities in general are well represented within current spatial management areas (notably those communities predicted to occur below fishable depths), 46 of the 75 groups, predominantly coastal and continental shelf groups, were inadequately represented. The use of within‐ and between‐group similarities is a significant improvement on assessments that only look at extent protected because they allow the identification of those areas that are the most representative of each group but also consideration of which groups are most dissimilar (unique) to all other groups already protected.

Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, the kākāpō is among the world’s rarest bird species with a current population of less than 250 individuals. As part of ongoing research efforts to support the conservation of this intensively managed species, we utilised a metatranscriptomics approach to elucidate, for the first time, the expression of antibiotic resistance genes within the kākāpō chick and adult gut microbiomes, further leveraging these data to describe the kākāpō virome. To determine differences among members of the kākāpō population, our data were obtained from birds encompassing different ages, sexes, geographic locations and antibiotic histories. We additionally analysed a time-series dataset following a single male kākāpō over the course of antibiotic treatment during a case of exudative cloacitis. There were significant differences between chicks and adult kākāpō in both the expression of antibiotic resistance genes and their viromes. Expression of these genes indicated potential resistance against 32 antibiotic classes, including 14 single classes of antibiotic and 18 multidrug classes. We identified 74 viral families, but no known avian-infecting viruses. Our case study of the single kākāpō during antibiotic treatment revealed notable changes in expression across time, with a reassuring lack of antibiotic resistance gene expression towards the end of the treatment, indicative of continued efficacy of antibiotic treatment. These novel data will help to inform conservation efforts for this enigmatic and unique bird species.

Context Historically, humpback whales migrating past Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) were linked to western South Pacific wintering grounds and Antarctic feeding grounds. As populations have recovered, research has focused on contemporary connectivity patterns throughout the South Pacific. Aims To determine the contemporary connectivity of winter breeding grounds for humpback whales on their northern and southern migrations past NZ, and those at the Kermadec Islands (Rangitāhua) migratory stopover. Methods We generated DNA profiles (mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes, genetic sex and microsatellite genotypes) using skin samples collected from whales between 1998 and 2021. We used comparisons of DNA profiles and a mixed-stock analysis of mtDNA haplotypes to determine the most likely wintering grounds of genetically identified individuals. Key results DNA profiles of 350 individual whales from NZ were compared to profiles from Oceania (n > 2000), Central and South America (n = 452) and East Australia (n = 809). This comparison revealed 35 genotype matches, mainly to New Caledonia and East Australia. The mixed-stock analysis showed that northbound whales (n = 145) had approximately equal assignment proportions to East Australia and New Caledonia whereas southbound whales (n = 74) showed a two-fold higher assignment to East Australia. In contrast, whales passing Rangitāhua (n = 112) assigned to New Caledonia and other Pacific wintering grounds but not to East Australia. Conclusions Humpback whales passing mainland NZ on their north and southbound migrations are strongly associated with East Australia and New Caledonia wintering grounds. Those migrating south past Rangitāhua have a broader range of wintering ground destinations, including a connection to Central America.

ABSTRACT Hector's dolphins, endemic to New Zealand, suffer from bycatch in fishing gear. Fishing restrictions in inshore areas have reduced bycatch, although dolphins have been recorded outside these areas. We studied the subsurface movements and foraging behavior of 11 Hector's dolphins using high‐resolution biologging tags to gain insight into their bycatch risk. Tagged dolphins traveled up to 15 km offshore, well beyond the boundaries of fishery exclusion zones, and regularly dove to the seafloor to forage at depths of up to 122 m. During these dives, the dolphins exhibited specific body postures that could increase their risk of bycatch. In addition, some dolphins produced very few echolocation clicks while traveling throughout the water column, potentially limiting their ability to detect nets. These subsurface behaviors may make Hector's dolphins more vulnerable to bycatch than previously thought, highlighting the need to reassess the efficacy of current protection measures.