New Zealand’s rarest duck, the pāteke, is spreading its wings and spreading from Abel Tasman National Park to Tasman Bay, following efforts to help the species survive.

The pasteke (also known as the brown teal) was once a common duck in New Zealand, but it is now the fourth most endangered duck in the world.

There are only 2,000 to 2,500 pasteke left, mainly in the North Island.

The Pâtekes were listed as Endangered Nationally until 2008, but their conservation status has changed to recover.

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Abel Tasman National Park has become an important site for bird survival.

Pâteke’s captivity and reintroduction coordinator Kevin Evans said controlling predators in the park was a big factor in success.

The Pātekes were also doing well in other areas, with eight other established populations.

Over the past five years, the Janszoon Project had released 337 Pâteske for breeding in the pest-controlled area.

Janszoon project director Bruce Vander Lee said progress was satisfactory.

“From the release sites north of Abel Tasman Park, they’ve reported pasteke as far out of the bay as Rabbit Island,” he said.

Birds had also been seen in Mārahau and Kaiteriteri.

“The reason we believe that the pasteke have been so successful in the park and are spreading outside the park is that we control pests, mainly stoats. “

The Janszoon Project encourages people to take action to help the Pâteske survive.

First, if you see a paste, report it to Project Janszoon. Pâteke’s sightings can be reported through the free Abel Tasman smartphone app or email [email protected]

Second, drive with caution along the coast and wetlands.

Third, control the parasites in your area, as pasteke are susceptible to stoats, as well as cats and dogs.

To spot a pasteke, look for the brown color and the distinctive white eye ring.