Mysterious Canterbury creatures?

Rumour has it that there is a large black cat lurking in somewhere in Canterbury. On 12 August 2006, the Ashburton Guardian reported sightings of the mysterious black cat had occurred in the district since 1992. Graeme Petrie from Orana Park was reported saying big cats were expert at staying unseen. Two Dunedin students have turned the sightings of the black beast into a documentary. The mysterious feline was even discussed at this year’s New Zealand Skeptics Conference held in Christchurch at the weekend. To add to this mystery, The Press reported that four hunters spotted a huge ginger feline in the Waimakariri Gorge. Using the telescopic sights on their rifles, the hunters stated the cat was approximately a metre long and was above knee-high of a man. The large feline was said to be strolling easily through the terrain.

Kiwi – Our national icon

Kiwi are a biological oddball – a bird that doesn’t fly. Along with the moa, the emu and the ostrich, kiwi are ratites, a family of birds that belong to the southern hemisphere. Kiwi are one of New Zealand’s most recognisable birds and animals, some of which are endangered. Christchurch’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is at the forefront of kiwi recovery, helping to make sure our kiwi survive.

If you like reading about animals, here’s a list of books to get you started. If you’ve ever wondered what the right thing to call a group of animals, like a bed of worms, we have a fun list. If you have never heard a kiwi call, the New Zealand Bird website has kiwi and many other native bird calls.

Inaka – whitebait, a delicacy like no other

Another quirky critter found in New Zealand is the whitebait (inaka or inanga). At this time of year, eager anglers wade in the water to net the slippery delicacy, the young members of the galaxiid family. This practice mirrors the Māori custom of fishing at several mahinga kai (food gathering places) around Christchurch, such as Puari. Mill Island, near the corner of Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace, was a well-known spot. In those days, they didn’t have to worry about didymo, so anglers please check, clean and dry your gear so we can keep our rivers clean for the fish in the future.

Resource of the week: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia

Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia is a 17-volume electronic resource containing authoritative articles on the animal kingdom, including numerous New Zealand animals. The detailed articles are easy to understand, have useful photographs/images attached and can be downloaded, emailed and printed. Did you know a short-tailed bat still lives in New Zealand? It is just one of many vulnerable species featured.

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Read more about Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia.