Unexpected queries included a caller adamant a UFO had dropped from the sky to the Tararua Range.
Another person was concerned about a potential mixed martial arts (MMA) bout between a human and a chimpanzee, while one caller wanted information on whether animals would be visible at Wellington Zoo.
Calls about habitats and wildlife outside the department’s remit are frequently logged.
One person called the Department of Conservation regarding if animals would be visible at Wellington Zoo. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Calls about activity in Auckland’s Waitākere Ranges, managed by Auckland Council and common pests such as wasps, mice and rats were also frequent.
A worried child emailed about a ginger cat walking across a public reserve.
Meanwhile, rats, mice and possums on private property are regularly the subject of calls.
DoC customer service team lead Olivia Tooley said many customers misunderstood what the department does – and doesn’t do.
Rats, mice and possums on private property are regularly the subject of calls to the Department of Conservation. Photo / Steve Pilkington, Department of Conservation
Tooley said calls about seals landed daily, and while it was the appropriate agency, many weren’t aware of the approach taken with the semi-aquatic mammals.
“Some of our callers are unaware of our ‘hands off’ approach to seals,” Tooley said.
“We’ve had queries and concerns about seals appearing very dry and covered in sand on beaches, questions from callers about which fish to feed a seal, and even people who mistakenly believe we have some sort of seal rehab or hospital facility.”
One recent caller insisted DoC staff remove a seal from a stream on his property, as it was eating his “pet” eels.
“If a seal is in harm’s way, our great Operations staff will attend – but generally, we leave seals alone and ask the public to do the same.”
Tooley said another caller asked if it was okay to feed commercially produced cracker biscuits to ruru.
“We consistently urge people not to feed wildlife, no matter how hungry the animals or birds may seem,” she said.
“But we do want to acknowledge there are plenty of situations when calling DoC was the right thing to do – and we appreciate people’s concern for nature.”
A seal on the path at Waikareao Estuary in Tauranga in 2024. Photo / Nataalia Lunson, DOC
Tooley said staff knew how to remain patient and professional “even on the most challenging and lengthy calls”.
“What comes through from many of our calls is people care about nature, and that’s certainly important,” she said.
On a busy day, the Customer Services Team of seven staff will deal with more than 200 calls.
Calls also spike over the Christmas holidays when many New Zealanders are out in nature and near coastlines.
Jazlyn Whales is a multimedia journalist based in the Christchurch newsroom.