72-676: The Whanganui National Park is a national park located in the North Island of New Zealand. Established in 1986, it covers an area of 742 km bordering the Whanganui River . It incorporates areas of Crown land, former state forest and a number of former reserves. The river itself is not part of the park, but is a popular paddling route titled the Whanganui Journey , one of New Zealand's "Great Walks" . The New Zealand Department of Conservation highlights Whanganui National Park as being
144-425: A magnificent park ... A nation's Park , containing man and beast, in all the wild and freshness of their nature's beauty!" The first effort by the U.S. Federal government to set aside such protected lands was on 20 April 1832, when President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that the 22nd United States Congress had enacted to set aside four sections of land around what is now Hot Springs, Arkansas , to protect
216-445: A "national park" simply describes a general area that is relatively undeveloped, scenic, and attracts tourists, with some form of planning restrictions to ensure it maintains those characteristics. There may be substantial human settlements within the bounds of a national park. Conversely, parks that meet the criteria may be not be referred to as "national parks". Terms like "preserve" or "reserve" may be used instead. Starting in 1735
288-453: A complex social structure characterized by strong pair bonds and monogamous behaviour, integral to their reproductive success and territory defence in riverine habitats. Typically, blue ducks maintain permanent year-round territories defended by mated pairs, emphasizing the significance of monogamy for the successful rearing of offspring. Pair members rarely stray far from each other, with individuals often remaining in close proximity throughout
360-705: A few. John Muir is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks" due to his work in Yosemite. He published two influential articles in The Century Magazine , which formed the base for the subsequent legislation. President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress on 1 July 1864, ceding the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias (later becoming Yosemite National Park ) to
432-691: A heated debate over whether the government had the right to create parks. The perceived mismanagement of Yosemite by the Californian state was the reason why Yellowstone was put under national control at its establishment six years later. In 1872, Yellowstone National Park was established as the United States' first national park, being also the world's first national park. In some European and Asian countries, however, national protection and nature reserves already existed - though typically as game reserves and recreational grounds set aside for royalty, such as
504-506: A lower cost basis and a larger geographical coverage (in 1989 when created, it was the largest protected area in Asia). It includes four of the six tallest mountains in the world: Everest , Lhotse , Makalu , and Cho Oyu . The QNNP is contiguous to four Nepali national parks, creating a transnational conservation area equal in size to Switzerland. In 1993, the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park
576-477: A national park system, with the creation of the Nahuel Huapi National Park in 1934, through the initiative of Francisco Moreno . After World War II , national parks were founded all over the world. The United Kingdom designated its first national park, Peak District National Park , in 1951. This followed perhaps 70 years of pressure for greater public access to the landscape. By the end of
648-531: A part of the Forest of Fontainebleau (France, 1861). Yellowstone was part of a federally governed territory . With no state government that could assume stewardship of the land, the federal government took on direct responsibility for the park, the official first national park of the United States. The combined effort and interest of conservationists, politicians and the Northern Pacific Railroad ensured
720-824: A project sponsored by Genesis Energy, the Central North Island Blue Duck Charitable Conservation Trust and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society in 2006. In 2009 the New Zealand Department of Conservation started a ten-year recovery programme to protect the species at eight sites using predator control and then re-establish populations throughout their entire former range. Female whio are especially vulnerable to stoats while nesting, and some populations are now 70 percent male. In one study area, clutches of eggs lasted an average of nine days before being destroyed by stoats, and
792-534: A resource that is continuously recolonizing denuded areas in the river. Ducks can be seen feeding at other times but often the day and night is spent in hiding or resting. Feeding behavior is influenced by the type of prey available, requiring both tactile and visual foraging techniques. While foraging, blue ducks primarily glean invertebrates from rock surfaces using visual cues for mobile prey such as mayfly larvae. They have forward facing eyes that indicate this visual foraging use, typical of diving ducks, some attribute
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#1732851484778864-625: Is a member of the duck , goose and swan family Anatidae endemic to New Zealand. It is the only member of the genus Hymenolaimus . Its exact taxonomic status is still unresolved, but it appears to be most closely related to the tribe Anatini , the dabbling ducks. The whio is depicted on the reverse side of the New Zealand $ 10 banknote . Captain James Cook saw the blue duck in Dusky Sound , South Island, New Zealand, on his second voyage to
936-798: Is a powerful swimmer even in strong currents, but is reluctant to fly. It is difficult to find, but not particularly wary when located. The blue duck feeds almost entirely on aquatic invertebrate larvae . A study of blue ducks on the Manganuiateao River in the central North Island found the most common prey items were Chironomidae (midge) and cased caddisfly larvae, although cased caddisfly were less preferred and were only consumed so much because of their abundance. Hydrobiosidae (free-living caddisfly) and Aphrophila neozelandica ( crane fly ) larvae were also frequently eaten. Other prey included mayfly , Aoteapysche (net-building caddis) and stonefly larvae. The blue duck on occasion take berries and
1008-461: Is also from Ancient Greek and combines malakos meaning "soft" with rhunkhos meaning "bill". The species has no close relatives. Its taxonomic relationships with other waterfowl species remains uncertain; DNA analysis has placed it as a sister to the South American dabbling ducks (Anatini), but with no close relative. As of 2013, it was commonly listed as incertae sedis but likely within
1080-755: Is classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to its highly fragmented and shrinking population, and it is listed as Nationally Endangered in the New Zealand Threat Classification System . A 2010 census estimated a total population size of 2,500–3,000 individuals, with a maximum of 1,200 pairs. The blue duck is a very localised species now threatened by predation from introduced mammals such as stoats , competition for its invertebrate food with introduced trout , and damming of mountain rivers for hydroelectric schemes. Early recovery efforts by scientists, field workers and volunteers have been summarised in
1152-522: Is now Royal National Park was established just south of Sydney , Colony of New South Wales , on 26 April 1879, becoming the world's second official national park. Since Mackinac lost its national park status, the Royal National Park is, by some considerations, the second oldest national park now in existence. Banff National Park became Canada's first national park in 1885. New Zealand established Tongariro National Park in 1887. In Europe,
1224-411: Is perceived as a brand name that is associated with nature-based tourism and it symbolizes a "high quality natural environment with a well-designed tourist infrastructure". The duties of a park ranger are to supervise, manage, and/or perform work in the conservation and use of park resources. This involves functions such as park conservation; natural, historical, and cultural resource management; and
1296-531: Is protected and owned by a government. Although governments hold different standards for national park designation, the conservation of 'wild nature' for posterity and as a symbol of national pride is a common motivation for the continued protection of all national parks around the world. National parks are almost always accessible to the public. Usually national parks are developed, owned and managed by national governments, though in some countries with federal or devolved forms of government, "national parks" may be
1368-563: The American frontier and were meant to be monuments to America's true history. Yet, in some instances, the lands that were to be set aside and protected in formerly colonized lands were already being inhabited by native communities, who were then removed off of these lands to create pristine sites for public consumption. Critics claim that the removal of people from national parks enhances the belief that nature can only be protected when humans do not exist within it, and that this leads to perpetuating
1440-624: The Anatinae and allied to the Anatini . It was formerly thought to be related to the shelduck tribe. It is commonly known in New Zealand English by its Māori name Whio, pronounced / ˈ f i ɔː / FEE -oh , which is an onomatopoeic rendition of the males' call. Other names it may be known by are Mountain Duck or Blue Mountain Duck. Two subspecies are recognised: Prior to 2022,
1512-513: The Naples government undertook laws to protect Natural areas, which could be used as a game reserve by the royal family; Procida was the first protected site; the difference between the many previous royal hunting preserves and this one, which is considered to be closer to a Park rather than a hunting preserve, is that Neapolitan government already considered the division into the present-day wilderness areas and non-strict nature reserves. In 1810,
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#17328514847781584-669: The Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve (in what is now Trinidad and Tobago; established in 1776) and the area surrounding Bogd Khan Uul Mountain (Mongolia, 1778), which were restricted from cultivation to protect surrounding farmland, are considered the oldest legally protected areas . Parks Canada , established on May 19, 1911, is the world's oldest national park service. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) have defined "National Park" as its Category II type of protected areas . According to
1656-399: The Whanganui River that runs through the park, where native freshwater crayfish (kōura) , black flounder , pouched lamprey and eels are also present. National park A national park is a nature park designated for conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that
1728-563: The 431 sites managed by the National Park Service of the United States, only 63 carry the designation of National Park. Countries with a large ecotourism industry, such as Costa Rica, often experience a huge economic effect on park management as well as the economy of the country as a whole. Tourism to national parks has increased considerably over time. In Costa Rica for example, a megadiverse country , tourism to parks has increased by 400% from 1985 to 1999. The term national park
1800-571: The English poet William Wordsworth described the Lake District as a "sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy." The painter George Catlin , in his travels through the American West , wrote during the 1830s that Native Americans in the United States might be preserved "(by some great protecting policy of government) ... in
1872-582: The IUCN definition. In many countries, including Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, national parks do not adhere to the IUCN definition, while some areas which adhere to the IUCN definition are not designated as national parks. As many countries do not adhere to the IUCN definition, the term "national park" may be used loosely. In the United Kingdom , and in some other countries such as Taiwan ,
1944-493: The IUCN, 6,555 national parks worldwide met its criteria in 2006. IUCN is still discussing the parameters of defining a national park. The largest national park in the world meeting the IUCN definition is the Northeast Greenland National Park , which was established in 1974 and is 972,000 km (375,000 sq mi) in area. In 1969, the IUCN declared a national park to be a relatively large area with
2016-583: The National Park most closely tied to human settlement. The Whanganui river was a major trade and communication route for Māori, and would have been the main route into the central North Island. The river was once home to a network of pā alongside the river banks throughout what is now the Whanganui National Park. This was called ‘the plaited rope of Hinengākau’, named for a Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi ancestor. The mid to late 19th century also saw
2088-639: The North Island and South Island whio were considered distinct but were not distinguished as subspecies; they were, however, treated as separate management units. However, the populations were defined as distinct subspecies by the International Ornithological Congress in 2022, based on strong genetic divergence and some plumage differences. The blue duck is 53 cm (21 in) long and varies in weight by sex. Females are smaller than males, weighing 680–870 g (24–31 oz), whereas
2160-587: The Soldier-Settler Scheme. This included land within the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka valleys within what is now the park. In 1919 a wooden swing bridge was constructed, which was replaced with a reinforced steel bridge in 1936. At the most populous point there were 30 farms in Mangapurua and 16 in Kaiwhakauka, however by 1942 only three farmers remained, and two years later the area was unpopulated. This decline
2232-599: The WHIONE programme which works with specially trained nose dogs to locate nests. The eggs are removed, and the ducklings hatched and raised in captivity. Later they are conditioned for coordinated release. Blue ducks were presented to the International Waterfowl Association in the UK in the 1970s along with New Zealand shovelers , New Zealand scaup , and brown teal by The Wildlife Service of New Zealand. The species
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2304-538: The best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst." The first area to use "national park" in its creation legislation was the U.S.'s Mackinac National Park , in 1875. (The area was later transferred to the state's authority in 1895, thus losing its official "national park" status. ) Following the idea established in Yellowstone and Mackinac, there soon followed parks in other nations. In Australia, what
2376-532: The blue duck and placed it with all the other ducks in the genus Anas . He coined the binomial name Anas malacorhynchos and cited the earlier works. The blue duck is now the only species placed in the genus Hymenolaimus that was introduced specifically for the species by George Robert Gray in 1843. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek humēn , humenos meaning "skin" or "membrane" with laimos meaning "throat". The specific epithet malacorhynchos
2448-524: The breeding period, blue ducks may adjust their territorial size in response to resource availability, often reducing their territory to focus on the most productive areas. As the breeding season progresses, interactions between neighbouring pairs can intensify, particularly with increasing competition for shared resources. Most aggressive confrontations involve males defending territories against foraging intruders, highlighting male-male competition's role in shaping blue duck social dynamics. Blue ducks exhibit
2520-602: The breeding season, territory defence becomes critical as breeding pairs protect their territories from intruders. This behaviour secures access to essential resources and optimal breeding sites, enhancing reproductive success. Both male and female blue ducks cooperate to defend their territories, using a variety of behaviours to deter intruders. Defensive behaviours include head bobbing, vocalizations, and aggressive confrontations. These behaviours communicate their presence and resolve conflicts over territory. The intensity of these interactions varies based on several factors, including
2592-486: The creation of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and nearly 37 other national parks and monuments, another 44 years passed before an agency was created in the United States to administer these units in a comprehensive way – the U.S. National Park Service (NPS). The 64th United States Congress passed the National Park Service Organic Act , which President Woodrow Wilson signed into law on 25 August 1916. Of
2664-525: The decade a further nine national parks had been designated in the UK. Europe has some 359 national parks as of 2010. The Vanoise National Park in the Alps was the first French national park, created in 1963 after public mobilization against a touristic project . In 1971, Lahemaa National Park in Estonia was the first area to be designated a national park in the former Soviet Union . In 1973, Mount Kilimanjaro
2736-519: The development and operation of interpretive and recreational programs for the benefit of the visiting public. Park rangers also have fire fighting responsibilities and execute search and rescue missions. Activities also include heritage interpretation to disseminate information to visitors of general, historical, or scientific information. Management of resources such as wildlife, lake shores, seashores, forests, historic buildings, battlefields, archaeological properties, and recreation areas are also part of
2808-528: The dichotomy between nature and humans (also known as the nature–culture divide ). They see the creation of national parks as a form of eco- land grabbing . Others claim that traveling to national parks to appreciate nature there leads people to ignore the nature that exists around them every day. Still others argue that tourism can actually negatively impact the areas that are being visited. Blue duck See text Anas malacorhynchus ( protonym ) The blue duck or whio ( Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos )
2880-619: The dominion parks under the administration of the Dominion Park Branch (now Parks Canada ), within the Department of the Interior. The branch was established to "protect sites of natural wonder" to provide a recreational experience, centred on the idea of the natural world providing rest and spiritual renewal from the urban setting. Canada now has the largest protected area in the world with 450,000 km of national park space. Even with
2952-424: The eggs for 31 to 32 days and chicks can fly when about 70 days old. Nesting and egg incubation of four to seven eggs is undertaken by the female while the male stands guard. Nests are shallow, twig, grass and down-lined scrapes in caves, under river-side vegetation or in log-jams, and are therefore very prone to spring floods. For this, and other reasons, their breeding success is extremely variable from one year to
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3024-408: The evolution of this feature to the special absence of predators. Blue ducks also utilize tactile cues to scrape small chironomid larvae from submerged surfaces. Changes in water clarity can therefore significantly affect foraging efficiency, particularly for mobile prey. Territoriality in blue ducks is closely linked to the availability of food resources. Although blue ducks occupy large territories,
3096-711: The first national parks were a set of nine parks in Sweden in 1909, followed by the Swiss National Park in 1914. Africa's first national park was established in 1925 when Albert I of Belgium designated an area of what is now Democratic Republic of Congo centred on the Virunga Mountains as the Albert National Park (since renamed Virunga National Park ). In 1895, the Groenkloof Nature Reserve
3168-598: The following defining characteristics: In 1971, these criteria were further expanded upon leading to more clear and defined benchmarks to evaluate a national park. These include: While the term national park is now defined by the IUCN, many protected areas in many countries are called national park even when they correspond to other categories of the IUCN Protected Area Management Definition, for example: While national parks are generally understood to be administered by national governments (hence
3240-434: The fruits of shrubs. The foraging behaviour of the blue duck is characterized by its reliance on benthic invertebrates in fast-flowing riverine environments. Blue ducks primarily engage in dabbling behaviour where they feed by scouring rocks rather than up-ending or dabbling at the water's surface. Observations indicate that territorial males and females dabble approximately 96% of the time, with juvenile ducks dabbling 86% of
3312-406: The growing of wheat, and between the 1840s and 1860s flour mills were built to process this into flour that could be traded. After the arrival of European settlers, Whanganui played a significant role for both Māori and European religious communities. In the 1840s there was widespread conversion to Christianity , which led to the establishment of Christian communities and building of chapels along
3384-752: The job of a park ranger. Since the establishment of the National Park Service in the US in 1916, the role of the park ranger has shifted from merely being a custodian of natural resources to include several activities that are associated with law enforcement. They control traffic, manage permits for various uses, and investigate violations, complaints, trespass/encroachment, and accidents. National parks in former European colonies have come under criticism for allegedly perpetuating colonialism . National parks were created by individuals who felt that pristine, natural sections of nature should be set aside and preserved from urban development. In America, this movement came about during
3456-558: The local Māori group, Te Whanau o Tieke, claiming that the land was confiscated illegally . The site is currently co-managed between the Department of Conservation and Te Whanau o Tieke. The site is open to the public, and available to be booked year round. Whanganui National Park protects a large area of lowland forest and important habitat for native wildlife. There are numerous stands of podocarp -hardwood forest made up of species including Kāmahi and tawa , with rimu , mīro and tōtaraus on steeper terrain. In lower-lying areas near
3528-406: The males weigh 820–970 grams (29–34 oz). The plumage is a dark slate-grey with a greenish sheen on the head, a chestnut-flecked breast. The outer secondaries are tipped with white and the inner ones have black margins. The plumage of the two sexes are mostly the same, although the female has slightly less chestnut in the chest. The pinkish-white bill has fleshy flaps of skin hanging from
3600-554: The name), in Australia, with the exception of six national parks, national parks are run by state governments and predate the Federation of Australia ; similarly, national parks in the Netherlands are administered by the provinces. In Canada, there are both national parks operated by the federal government and provincial or territorial parks operated by the provincial and territorial governments, although nearly all are still national parks by
3672-554: The natural, thermal springs and adjoining mountainsides for the future disposal of the U.S. government. It was known as Hot Springs Reservation , but no legal authority was established. Federal control of the area was not clearly established until 1877. The work of important leaders who fought for animal and land conservation were essential in the development of legal action. Some of these leaders include President Abraham Lincoln, Laurance Rockefeller, President Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson to name
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#17328514847783744-455: The next. Captive North Island whio are held and bred on both main islands of New Zealand, but the progeny are returned to their respective island. South Island whio are held and bred in captivity on the South Island only. All captives are kept by approved and permitted zoological and wildlife facilities as part of the national recovery plan. As part of this current ten-year plan (2009–2019) is
3816-415: The park, across the river from Parinui . The area upon which they are situated was the site of Māori communities at the time of European colonization, with contemporary European accounts recording the population of Tīeke to be 260 in 1847. The marae was established in the early 1990s by members of Tamahaki who trace their ancestry back to the original community. The land is currently subject to dispute, with
3888-529: The passage of enabling legislation by the United States Congress to create Yellowstone National Park. Theodore Roosevelt and his group of conservationists, the Boone and Crockett Club , were active campaigners and were highly influential in convincing fellow Republicans and big business to back the bill. Yellowstone National Park soon played a pivotal role in the conservation of these national treasures, as it
3960-795: The presence of a female during confrontations. When females are present, aggressive behaviours may escalate, highlighting the significance of mate guarding in territory defence. This interaction shows social and environmental factors shaping territorial behaviour. Territoriality in blue ducks is linked to habitat quality. Research indicates that pairs in higher-quality environments expend less energy on territorial defence, allowing for greater foraging opportunities and improved reproductive fitness. While pairs defend their territories, extensive areas between them may remain unprotected. Juvenile and unpaired blue ducks exploit these undefended spaces for foraging, indicating that territoriality does not completely limit resource availability for non-breeding individuals. After
4032-402: The responsibility of subnational, regional, or local authorities. The United States established Yellowstone National Park , the first "public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people," in 1872. Although Yellowstone was not officially termed a "national park" at the time, in practice it is widely held to be the first and oldest national park in the world. However,
4104-558: The river kahikatea , mataī and nīkau palm can be found. Large northern rātā grow throughout the park. Many species of birds can be found throughout the park. The park protects the habitat of several thousand threatened North Island brown kiwi and the endangered blue duck (whio) . Other birds that frequent the park include the grey warbler , yellow-crowned kākāriki , New Zealand falcon (kārearea) , New Zealand pigeon (kererū) , Rifleman (tītipounamu) , silvereye , tomtit , tūī and whitehead . Many species of native fish inhabit
4176-509: The river. Likewise this area was also visited by followers of the Pai Marire religion who had settlements nearby. The Bridge to Nowhere is a steel-reinforced concrete bridge, dating back to early 20th century European settlement in the area. From 1917 onwards, the New Zealand government offered retired serviceman returning from World War 1 discounted land, and loans for development, as part of
4248-425: The sides of its tip. The beak is green at hatching and develops its final colour eight hours later . The male's call is a high-pitched whistle. The female's call is a rattling growl or low-pitched grating notes. This species is an endemic resident breeder in New Zealand , nesting in hollow logs, small caves and other sheltered spots. It is a rare duck, holding territories on fast flowing mountain rivers. It
4320-471: The significance of the social bonds. During incubation, males shift their foraging habits to support female partners and their offspring, highlighting a collaborative approach to parental care. Although blue ducks generally exhibit monogamous pair bonding, instances of extra-pair mating may occur, particularly when environmental pressures or territory dynamics shift. Blue ducks nest between August and October, laying 4–9 creamy white eggs. The female incubates
4392-710: The size is not primarily determined by food abundance; rather, it reflects the overlapping life cycles of benthic invertebrates, which exhibit minimal seasonal variation. This indicates that while food resources are critical for blue duck distribution and population structure, they do not necessarily dictate territorial size. Blue ducks display territorial behaviours, they are known for their year-round territoriality, with territories typically ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 kilometres along river habitats characterized by alternating pools and rapids. The size and boundaries of these territories depend on resource availability, environmental conditions, and competition with other blue ducks. During
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#17328514847784464-489: The south Pacific. In 1777 both Cook and the naturalist Georg Forster mentioned the blue duck in their separate accounts of the voyage. A specimen was described in 1785 by the English ornithologist John Latham in his A General Synopsis of Birds . Latham used the English name, the "soft-billed duck". When in 1789 the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin revised and expanded Carl Linnaeus 's Systema Naturae he included
4536-402: The state of California. According to this bill, private ownership of the land in this area was no longer possible. The state of California was designated to manage the park for "public use, resort, and recreation". Leases were permitted for up to ten years and the proceeds were to be used for conservation and improvement. A public discussion followed this first legislation of its kind and there was
4608-419: The time. During the diurnal cycle, territorial birds exhibit higher foraging in the early morning and late evening, while non-territorial birds tend to forage more at midday. The decrease in dabbling during midday corresponds with an increase in diving behaviour in deeper pools. This pattern suggests that blue ducks capitalize on invertebrate resources that vary in availability throughout the day. Diving behaviour
4680-496: The year. In blue ducks, synchronous behaviours further enhance the stability of pair bonds, as pairs coordinate their activities, particularly during periods of brood dispersal and moulting. Pairs often forage together, displaying high synchronization rates during various behavioural activities, which can range from 62% during moult to 81% in the pre-laying phase. This synchronized behaviour is said to likely improve foraging efficiency and reduces vulnerability to predation, reinforcing
4752-578: Was classified as a National Park and was opened to public access in 1977. In 1989, the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve (QNNP) was created to protect 3.381 million hectares on the north slope of Mount Everest in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. This national park is the first major global park to have no separate warden and protection staff—all of its management consists of existing local authorities, allowing
4824-530: Was due in part to hardships of the land, including flooding and erosion, problems also experienced by Soldier-Settler Scheme recipients elsewhere. Today the bridge is used by park visitors and maintained by the Department of Conservation. The Tīeke Marae/Kāinga is a Department of Conservation hut and marae on the Whanganui Journey Great Walk . The buildings are situated near the Western border of
4896-506: Was established as the first game sanctuary in Africa. In 1926, the government of South Africa designated Kruger National Park as the nation's first national park, although it was an expansion of the earlier Sabie Game Reserve established in 1898 by President Paul Kruger of the old South African Republic , after whom the park was named. Argentina became the third country in the Americas to create
4968-588: Was established in Jamaica to conserve and protect 41,198 hectares, including tropical montane rainforest and adjacent buffer areas. The site includes Jamaica's tallest peak ( Blue Mountain Peak ), hiking trails and a visitor center. The Park was also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. The world's first national park service was established May 19, 1911, in Canada. The Dominion Forest Reserves and Parks Act placed
5040-414: Was maintained in the UK until at least 2012 before dying out; efforts to create the only captive breeding population outside of New Zealand with these ducks ultimately failed when the last two male ducks formed a same-sex relationship with each other instead of with the female that was assigned to them. They have not been known to be exported and maintained anywhere else internationally. The blue duck
5112-462: Was seen most frequent in March and July when water levels are higher and prey living on stones and boulders above the water-surface would have been inaccessible using alternative foraging methods. Blue ducks’ foraging activities peak during early morning and late afternoon, coinciding with the diurnal activity patterns of invertebrate drift. The reliance on these temporal patterns allows blue ducks to exploit
5184-529: Was suffering at the hands of poachers and others who stood at the ready to pillage what they could from the area. Theodore Roosevelt and his newly formed Boone and Crockett Club successfully took the lead in protecting Yellowstone National Park from this plight, resulting in laws designed to conserve the natural resources in Yellowstone and other parks under the Government's purview. American Pulitzer Prize -winning author Wallace Stegner wrote: "National parks are
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