New Zealand is geographically isolated from any major continental
land mass, and has been since it broke from the Gondwanaland ‘Super Continent’ approximately 70 million years
ago.
| This
has resulted in a native fauna which has evolved independently
from that found on other land masses and consequently all
but five of New Zealand’s native freshwater fish are
endemic (only found in New Zealand). |
 |
From a terrestrial perspective this isolation has also resulted
in a proliferation of flightless birds, which have evolved to
fill the ecological niche which mammals took up on other land
masses.
Southern
Encounter embraces these very special animals and aims to educate
the public about their fascinating life histories, their beauty,
and sadly, due to many negative impacts brought about by man,
the precariousness of their existence.
