Rafters steer clear of ducklings

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 305, 19 September 1989, Page 3

Rafters steer clear of ducklings

Following last year's successful "Blue Duck Rafting Pact", rafting companies have again voluntarily agreed not to raft on the mid section of the Manganuioteao River though the blue duck breeding season.

The idea of the pact is to reduce the pressure on young blue ducklings during their critical first weeks on the river.

The pact is once again unanimous among the commercial rafting companies that use the river. The problem with

rafting for the ducks is the separation of ducklings from their parents, leaving them facing almost certain death. In the past DoC staff have observed ducklings pushed below their parents' territorial boundaries by the passing of rafts. Waimarino conservation officer John

Heaphy asks for local support of this pact to keep disturbance to a minimum. He said last week he has asked canoe clubs to steer clear of the mid section above the Ruatiti Bridge. He asks all who would go rafting, tubing or canoeing on the section to join in the pact.

River users are still encouraged to use the river downstream of the Ruatiti Bridge during the term of the pact. The starting date for the pact was yesterday, Monday 18 September, which is to coincide with the first expected brood. The term ends on Friday 15 December. Mr Heaphy said the

pact last year greatly assisted blue duck conservation with survival rates of young birds very pleasing to DoC staff. He said the first nesting pair were already incubating eggs by 1 September. The closing date would exclude any late broods, but that this

was part of the compromise for DoC. He said there was late brood last year, below Hoehanga Bridge that hatched out at New Year. The Manganuioteao is o|ne of only two North I dand rivers that has a possible self sjpporting population of blue ducks.