Motunau Island facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pegasus Bay |
| Coordinates | 43°03′44″S 173°04′42″E / 43.0623°S 173.0782°E |
| Area | 3 ha (7.4 acres) |
| Length | 300 m (1,000 ft) |
| Width | 100 m (300 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Administration | |
|
New Zealand
|
|
| South Island | |
| Region | Canterbury |
| District | Hurunui |
Motunau Island is a small island in New Zealand. It is a special nature reserve that protects wildlife. The island is about 3 hectares (7.4 acres) in size. It lies 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) off the coast of New Zealand's South Island. You can find it at the northern end of Pegasus Bay, near the mouth of the Motunau River. The Department of Conservation manages this reserve. To visit, you need a special permit.
Contents
What is Motunau Island Like?
Motunau Island is about 300 meters (980 feet) long and 100 meters (330 feet) wide. It has steep sides that rise to a flat top. This flat top is about 25 meters (82 feet) above sea level. The island is made of old rocks from the Tertiary period. These rocks are covered with loess (a type of soil) and gravel. The edges of the island have cliffs that are slowly wearing away from the ocean waves. The soil on the island is full of tunnels made by nesting seabirds.
Amazing Animals of Motunau Island
Motunau Island is a very important place for seabirds. In 1967, scientists estimated that 23,000 birds lived and nested there. It is home to a large group of 5,000 white-flippered penguins. Many other birds also breed on the island. These include white-faced storm petrels, sooty shearwaters, fairy prions, variable oystercatchers, and white-fronted terns. Motunau Island has the only colony of white-faced storm petrels found between Cook Strait and the Otago Peninsula.
Lizards and Seals on the Island
Three different kinds of lizards live on Motunau Island. One of these is called Leiolopsima lineocellatum. This lizard is not common in the region. Fur seals also use the rocky areas around the island. They come ashore to rest. Sometimes, an elephant seal or a Hooker's sea lion has also been seen on the island.
Plants Growing on Motunau Island
The main type of plant life on the flat top of the island is grassland. This grass was brought to the island by people. The cliffs and steep slopes have a mix of grasses and small plants called herbfield. There are also areas with different kinds of shrubs. Many of these shrubs were also brought to the island by humans.
Protecting Motunau Island's Wildlife
Motunau Island has been a protected area for a long time. In 1935, it became a wildlife refuge. This means it is a safe place for animals. In 1958, it was also named a Reserve for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna. This protects both plants and animals. The island is free from harmful animals like rats or stoats. These animals can hurt native birds. Rabbits, which can eat too much vegetation, were removed from the island between 1958 and 1962.
However, there are still some challenges. A plant called boxthorn was brought to the island. It can grow thick and spiky, trapping birds or blocking their nesting burrows. People visiting the island without permission can also disturb the wildlife. That is why access is only allowed with a permit.
Images for kids
-
A white-flippered penguin standing on the rocks of Motunau Island.
