Wild Science

Kiwi and tuatara could be ancient foes

Helen Taylor • Jan 25, 2019

• burrows,
• competition,
• Kiwi,
• little spotted kiwi,
• tuatara

What happens when you reunite two species that have been separated for centuries by human activity? According to our latest research, they might turn out to be old rivals. A landscape of species separation New Zealand is a pretty unique place when it comes to biodiversity. However, it’s unique in some negative ways too. Thanks to human activity, many … Read More

Betting on bird sperm in a race to help hihi

Helen Taylor • Mar 26, 2018

• bird sperm,
• conservation,
• fieldwork,
• fundraising,
• hihi

It’s well known that funding for conservation is seriously lacking, so we’ve had to get creative when it comes to raising money to protect New Zealand’s little ray of sunshine, the hihi. The hihi – a taonga in trouble Have you seen this bird? Probably not – the hihi is pretty hard to find (Image credit: Helen Taylor) Research … Read More

Weird Science: Why I study bird sperm

Helen Taylor • Mar 21, 2018

• birds,
• conservation,
• fieldwork,
• research,
• sperm

When I was little, I wanted to be David Attenborough, but here I am at 35 hanging out in the bush and collecting bird sperm samples. I feel like I owe everyone (including my younger self) an explanation. An interesting career choice Me in the field, loving my work. Sorry, mum! (Image credit: Robyn White) My mum doesn’t like … Read More

How eco-friendly is your ecotourism experience?

Helen Taylor • Nov 28, 2017

• conservation,
• consuming science,
• ecotourism,
• wildlife

An increasing number of travelers and holidaymakers are paying for nature-based trips and experiences under the ecotourism banner, but do these activities do more harm than good to the nature concerned? According to the Nature Conservancy, ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of the internationally massive tourism industry. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has a … Read More

Paying the price to see “Super Scientists”

Helen Taylor • Aug 09, 2017

• celebrity scientists,
• public engagement,
• science engagement

Tickets for “rockstar” particle physicist Prof. Brian Cox’s Auckland show went on sale this week. With seats priced from $90 to $215, are big popular science shows fostering elitism? Super scientists, assemble! Jane Goodall and friends wow the crowds in Dunedin. Image credit: Otago Daily Times New Zealand has been blessed by visits from four big names in science … Read More

Step 5, release your mammoth: NZ scientists tackle de-extinction consequences

Helen Taylor • May 09, 2017

• Chatham Island black robin,
• de-extinction,
• de-extinction series,
• ecology,
• kakapo,
• Kiwi,
• mammoth,
• moa,
• takahē

Most research on de-extinction focuses on the technology behind making it happen. It’s refreshing to see a group of conservation scientists examining what happens when you release these species into the wild. What comes after de-extinction? The latest issue of the  journal Functional Ecology has a special feature on de-extinction. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you won’t have … Read More

The search for Nessie showcases an exciting new conservation tool

Helen Taylor • Apr 13, 2017

• Biodiversity,
• conservation,
• eDNA,
• Environmental,
• genetics

I was sceptical about my lab head joining the hunt for the Loch Ness monster, until I realised it was an excellent way to promote the amazing possibilities of environmental DNA. Making a splash Last week’s news was full of tales of how my boss, Professor Neil Gemmell, was going to take on the challenge of tracking down … Read More

De-extinction: more hype than hope

Helen Taylor • Mar 08, 2017

• conservation,
• de-extinction,
• hype

Efforts to resurrect extinct species could divert funding away from conserving extant species, but a more basic issue with “de-extinction” is the misinformation surrounding the topic. A recent study by New Zealand and Australian researchers puts a price on “de-extinction”. The team also estimate how many native extant species might be lost by directing these funds away from existing … Read More

Get ready for CRISPR conservation

Helen Taylor • Feb 09, 2017

• conservation,
• CRISPR,
• gene editing,
• Horizon Scan

New Zealand is known for its bold, proactive conservation strategies. Are we ready to use advanced gene editing techniques to save native species? Imagine being able to turn genes on and off, or change their code and alter their function. This is the reality of gene editing technologies facilitated by enzymes like CRISPR-Cas9. CRISPR is essentially a pair of … Read More

‘Conservation by numbers’ hides genetic dangers in endangered species

Helen Taylor • Jan 18, 2017

• conservation,
• genetics,
• inbreeding depression,
• Kiwi,
• New Zealand,
• Science

How do we know when a threatened species is ‘safe’? A new study featuring one of New Zealand’s iconic kiwi species suggests increasing population size might not be enough – an increase in numbers doesn’t always cut it for conservation… Saving threatened species tends to be a numbers game. We often use population growth as a proxy for population … Read More