This year has seen a record number of pāteke, or brown teal, surviving in Fiordland National Park, thanks to successful predator control efforts.

The small brown ducks, native to Aotearoa New Zealand, had previously become extinct in the South Island due to predators, habitat loss, and other threats.

However since 2009, captive-reared pāteke have been reintroduced around the Milford Track - one of only two restored populations in the South Island.

In early May, Department of Conservation (DOC) Biodiversity Ranger Louise McLaughlin and her team released 40 more captive-reared pāteke into Milford's Arthur Valley.

“We’re not just throwing them out there and hoping for the best,” said McLaughlin.

DOC staff use specialised transmitters to monitor the ducks

Despite the challenges of high rainfall and flood risks, the biggest threat to pāteke remains introduced predators.

However, survival rates have soared to over 86% following 1080 predator control operations, compared to as low as 16% in years without such measures.

Visitors to the Milford Track are now more likely to spot these unique ducks, as more pāteke thrive in the rivers.

The recent release was made possible by various wildlife organizations, iwi and the support of Air New Zealand.