Moa's Ark : To the Lifeboats

Predators (possums, rats, rabbits, deer) forced much of the cargo of 'Moa's Ark' to abandon ship and live on offshore island lifeboats. Moa's Ark presenter David Bellamy visits them (and recently-established mainland 'islands'), and tells some of New Zealand's most dramatic conservation stories. In the fourth clip, he praises the pioneering leadership of Don Merton. The episode includes footage of kōkako and its haunting song, cheeky kākā parrots, tīeke (saddleback), hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), black robins, fierce-looking giant wētā, and the Castle Hill buttercup (the world's rarest). See the backgrounder for more on Bellamy’s exploration of Aotearoa's unique natural history.

The possums are all asleep because they are nocturnal. But as soon as night comes, they'll be out taking their pick from this great gourmet banquet of vegetarian dishes.

– David Bellamy on the harm possums cause to the forest ecosystem, in part two

Key Cast & Crew

David Bellamy

Presenter

Peter Hayden

Director, Producer

Ulla Ryghe

Script Editor

Michael Stedman

Executive Producer

Mike Lemmon

Cinematographer

Peter Thompson

Underwater Camra