Farm animals and pets of New Zealand
And other introduced species. For native species, as well as all bugs, see Animals of New Zealand.
Hedgehogs
According to DOC, “Hedgehogs pose one of the greatest threats to our unique and threatened ecosystems.” I like them anyways. I used to rescue these hapless creatures from the middle of the road, but I quit that when I learned that there are various diseases we might catch from them.
Let me know which one would make the best website icon. I’m indecisive.
Rakaia Valley, Central Canterbury.
Cats
On a farm in Tarras, Otago, South Island
Dogs
Sheepdog trial, Waiau, near Hanmer Springs. This is the hunt course. The dog needs to chase the sheep uphill between posts, as quickly as possible, by following whistled and shouted instructions. Like ski slalom in reverse, but with whistling and shouting.
The more common heading course involves the dog easing the sheep into a pen.
These farmers spoke of dogs’ abilities with reverence. But will drones replace dogs?
Horses
Other mammals
Stuck stag. Isthmus Peak, Lake Hāwea, Otago, South Island.
I reported it by phone to the game reserve. An employee most likely came and freed it after I continued hiking uphill, because it was gone by the time I came downhill.
Oh, deer! I had no idear they were this skittish. Manuherikia Valley, Central Otago, with Dunstan Mountains beyond.
Birds
Napier Cemetery, Napier, Hawke’s Bay, North Island.
I already knew birds could read, because I saw that dastardly penguin face off against Wallace and Gromit in The Wrong Trousers. But this makes me wonder if they can misread, too. Here lie the Wiigs, not the Wings.
