Open Bay Islands facts for kids
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Westland District |
| Coordinates | 43°52′S 168°53′E / 43.867°S 168.883°E |
| Total islands | 2 |
| Highest elevation | 30 m (100 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | (?) |
The Open Bay Islands are a group of small islands off the southwest coast of New Zealand's South Island. They are found in a place called South Westland. There are two main islands, Taumaka and Popotai, along with some smaller rocks. These islands are about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the coast, near a town called Haast. The Māori group, Poutini Ngāi Tahu, owns these islands.
Taumaka is the bigger island. It is about 14.7 hectares (36 acres) in size. It is 660 meters (722 yards) long and 260 meters (284 yards) wide. The highest point on Taumaka is a flat area 21 meters (69 feet) above sea level. Popotai is smaller, about 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres). It is 400 meters (437 yards) long and 200 meters (219 yards) wide. A narrow channel of water separates Taumaka from Popotai.
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Amazing Wildlife of the Open Bay Islands
The Open Bay Islands are home to some very special animals. Some of these animals are found nowhere else in the world!
Unique Island Creatures
The islands have a special type of leech called Hirudobdella antipodum. There is also a gecko species that scientists are still studying. It is related to the Hoplodactylus granulatus gecko. A unique skink, the Oligosoma taumakae, also lives here.
In 2010, the skink was found on the Barn Islands. These are two rock stacks near Haast. The special leech was also likely found there. However, the unique gecko has only ever been seen on Taumaka Island. Only 15 of these geckos have ever been recorded.
Birds and Marine Animals
Taumaka Island is very important for birds. It is a breeding spot for Fiordland penguins. Because of this, it has been named an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
Thousands of New Zealand fur seals now live on the islands. They have returned after commercial sealing stopped a long time ago. In the waters nearby, you might see Hector's dolphins and bottlenose dolphins. Large whales like the southern right whale and humpback whale also visit these waters. Even Great white sharks have been seen in the area.
Wekas and Conservation Efforts
No mammals were ever meant to live on the Open Bay Islands. But in the early 1900s, wekas were brought here. Wekas are native New Zealand birds that cannot fly. They were moved from the South Island to the Open Bay Islands.
Unfortunately, the wekas have caused problems for the island's plants and animals. The Department of Conservation wants to remove the wekas from the islands. The group that manages the islands has agreed to this plan. They only ask that the wekas are not harmed during their removal.
The Castaways' Story
The Open Bay Islands have a fascinating history, including a group of seal hunters who were stranded there.
Stranded Seal Hunters
In 1810, a sealing ship called the Active brought ten seal hunters to the islands. They had very few supplies: some food, salt, an axe, an adze, and a special knife. The ship left the islands on February 16, 1810. Sadly, the Active was never seen again. Everyone thought the sealing crew had been lost with the ship.
Years of Survival
The seal hunters faced many years of extreme hardship. They had to survive on the remote islands with very little. Finally, on December 15, 1813, they saw a ship. It was called the Governor Bligh. They managed to get the ship's attention. The ship rescued them, and they arrived back in Sydney, Australia.
The story of these men's survival has become famous. Their difficult journey is even told in a song called Davy Low'ston.
