Penguin fence progressing

Graham Clement and Matt Charteris 26 JUne 2014This morning, Trust Chair, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, called by to inspect the Pahuatane penguin fence and was pleased at the progress being made and impressed by the professional job being done.

Kerry-Jayne said: “After years of planning it is great to see the project finally under way, over half of the 2.3km of fence is now finished and most will be done before the penguins return to breed later next month. It is reassuring to know that at last we will stop the road kill of penguins that has occurred every year along this bit of the highway.”

The fence is quite conspicuous now as the roadside vegetation has had to be cut back to allow the fence to be built, but once the silver-coloured metal posts have been painted black, and the vegetation recovers it will become much less visible.

The Trust once again offers its grateful thanks to the sponsors, particularly Healthpost, Maccaferri, Farmlands, Holcim and Resene, as well as private donors who have made this possible, DOC, NZTA and OPUS for support and of course the marvellous volunteers who are helping build the fence.

Graham Clement and Matt Charteris 26 JUne 2014 800px

Volunteers Graham Clement and Matt Charteris ensure that the base of the fence is buried securely.

Reuben Isaac 26 June 2014 800px

Trust Ranger, Reuben Lane, and brother Isaac installing the penguin proof mesh.