Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the extinction of animal and plant species at a terrifying rate.
Our actions threaten over one million species. And in New Zealand we have the highest proportion of threatened native species in the world, with more than 4000 at risk.
Some experts believe we are in the throes of the sixth mass extinction. In This Is How It Ends, a seven-part Stuff documentary series, Andrea Vance and Iain McGregor investigate the biodiversity crisis.
Almost half of New Zealand’s bird species are extinct, and 80 per of those remaining are threatened. Can we reverse the decline?
ANDREA VANCE
Senior journalist
IAIN McGREGOR
Visual journalist
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WATCH EPISODE TWO:
NATIVE BIRDS
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A hihi/stitchbird pictured at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, near Whanganui.
A hihi/stitchbird pictured at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, near Whanganui.
Kea play at Otira Gorge, West Coast.
Kea play at Otira Gorge, West Coast.
A morepork/ruru being cared for at Christchurch's South Island Wildlife Hospital.
A morepork/ruru being cared for at Christchurch's South Island Wildlife Hospital.
Kea are at risk of poisoning from lead flashing and nails found on old buildings.
Kea are at risk of poisoning from lead flashing and nails found on old buildings.
Once believed extinct, the takahē population has grown to just under 450 birds.
Once believed extinct, the takahē population has grown to just under 450 birds.
A hihi/stitchbird pictured at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, near Whanganui.
A hihi/stitchbird pictured at Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, near Whanganui.
Kea play at Otira Gorge, West Coast.
Kea play at Otira Gorge, West Coast.
A morepork/ruru being cared for at Christchurch's South Island Wildlife Hospital.
A morepork/ruru being cared for at Christchurch's South Island Wildlife Hospital.
Kea are at risk of poisoning from lead flashing and nails found on old buildings.
Kea are at risk of poisoning from lead flashing and nails found on old buildings.
Once believed extinct, the takahē population has grown to just under 450 birds.
Once believed extinct, the takahē population has grown to just under 450 birds.
The problem does seem really massive. It feels like you're not making much impact when you take the odd bird here and there, and put it back out in the wild, where all the threats still exist
The kea population has declined dramatically, with perhaps as few as 3000 birds left.
The kea population has declined dramatically, with perhaps as few as 3000 birds left.
A 'burrito-ed' kea undergoes chelation treatment, which rids toxic lead from the blood.
A 'burrito-ed' kea undergoes chelation treatment, which rids toxic lead from the blood.
Laura Young, of the Kea Conservation Trust, takes samples from a bird caught in Arthur’s Pass Village.
Laura Young, of the Kea Conservation Trust, takes samples from a bird caught in Arthur’s Pass Village.
Predator control has seen forests birds return to Landsborough Valley.
Predator control has seen forests birds return to Landsborough Valley.
A takahē chick, about to be released into a pen at Burwood Takahē Recovery Centre.
A takahē chick, about to be released into a pen at Burwood Takahē Recovery Centre.
The takahē at Burwood have regular health checks, and are weighed and vaccinated.
The takahē at Burwood have regular health checks, and are weighed and vaccinated.
The goal is to return takahē to the wild.
The goal is to return takahē to the wild.
Laura Young, of the Kea Conservation Trust, takes samples from a bird caught in Arthur’s Pass Village.
Laura Young, of the Kea Conservation Trust, takes samples from a bird caught in Arthur’s Pass Village.
The kea population has declined dramatically, with perhaps as few as 3000 birds left.
The kea population has declined dramatically, with perhaps as few as 3000 birds left.
A 'burrito-ed' kea undergoes chelation treatment, which rids toxic lead from the blood.
A 'burrito-ed' kea undergoes chelation treatment, which rids toxic lead from the blood.
Predator control has seen forests birds return to Landsborough Valley.
Predator control has seen forests birds return to Landsborough Valley.
A takahē chick, about to be released into a pen at Burwood Takahē Recovery Centre.
A takahē chick, about to be released into a pen at Burwood Takahē Recovery Centre.
The takahē at Burwood have regular health checks, and are weighed and vaccinated.
The takahē at Burwood have regular health checks, and are weighed and vaccinated.
The goal is to return takahē to the wild.
The goal is to return takahē to the wild.
OTHER EPISODES
Episode 1
Seabirds
now
Episode 3
Oceans
Oct 20 Watch
now
Episode 4
All creatures great and small
Oct 22 Watch
now
Episode 5
Fresh Water
Oct 26 Watch
now
Episode 6
The Endangered Forest
Oct 27 Watch
now
Episode 7
The Islands
Oct 28 Watch
now
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