RESEARCH IN NEW ZEALAND (23 April 2003)

[Tentacular!]

What is it with the rest of the world and our animals?

Tell me about it! I think a lot of tourists come here and expect to see Koalas in every tree and roos bounding across urban pedestrian crossings (not to mention spiders under every toilet seat ). Its not quite like that, although in the outback locals try avoid driving at dawn and dusk as collisions with roos are extremely common. A mature roo can do huge damage to a vehicle not to mention killing the animal, which is much more sad.

I can't say I've had that many male roos flash their bits at me (maybe they find you more appealing, Krin ) but I once witnessed a mating fight by a couple of mature reds. That was pretty awesome, not to mention scary. Don't forget, we also have deadly fish, jellyfish, and most importantly octopus.

Despite all this hideous danger constantly surrounding us, most of us manage to live pretty ordinary lives. After all, spiders, snakes and marsupials don't carry handguns.

 

[rrtanton]

You DO have some awfully dangerous critters out there...

Interestingly, your roo+car=Bad Things problem is quite common here too, only with deer. Habitat encroachment/elimination and all that...

rusty

 

[WhiteKiboko]

A mature roo can do huge damage to a vehicle not to mention killing the animal, which is much more sad.

interesting.... of all the people i know that've had deer/car collisions, i think the deer has ran away everytime....even after totaling some of the cars....

i guess they have a lower center of gravity, so they dont go up and over the hood.... kinda like the child/adult/car/SUV thing.....

 

[fluffysquid]

interesting.... of all the people i know that've had deer/car collisions, i think the deer has ran away everytime....even after totaling some of the cars....

i guess they have a lower center of gravity, so they dont go up and over the hood.... kinda like the child/adult/car/SUV thing.....

I've worked at a wildlife rescue/rehabilitation place before and I've discovered that deer often run away from a totaled car, but they usually die soon afterwards, depending on their injuries.

 

[WhiteKiboko]

considering the forces involved, that doesnt surprise me... but the ability to get up from such an impact is still quite impressive

 

[fluffysquid]

oh i agree, you probably wouldn't see a human manage to get up and run away!

 

[Steve O'Shea]

Oh my, how a thread can go awry ...

 

[Steve O'Shea]

Steve-

So..... what's this about undergrad degrees in Marine Biology there in NZ? Just out of curiosity, really.

thanks,
Amber

There's some interesting stuff happening here in NZ, Amber, if you're interested in squid, octopus, systematics, culture/aquaculture, general deep-sea biology and marine invertebrates in general - and we can even throw in a little documentary work if you're so inclined (we're juggling 4 at this point in time ... as in the next couple of months). You should see some interesting squid stuff start hitting the screens early next year .... and beyond.

 

[fluffysquid]

the thread was totaled when it hit the deer.... which then ran off with the original subject. :P

 

[Steve O'Shea]

Dr. O'Shea,

I'd love to look through the contents of the Kogia stomachs, probably just a little greenhorn giddiness (is that even a word?) but I doubt you'd be able to keep them for another four years. I will be starting my first year of college in September. Would you be able to give some advice on the direction ceph research is headed. Meaning would it be better to pursue knowledge of genetics or behavior. I think Dr. Roland Anderson has me going for behavior but I'm looking for another opinion. Especially as I would like to work along side you. I'll stop with the brown nosing now.

Michael

Michael, this will be an ongoing project (the Kogia/Physeter stomach content analysis), but the work needn't be restricted to New Zealand surveys/stomach-content analysis. Fiheries impacts are occurring on a global scale, and as such the diet of these toothed whales is likely to change, or forced to change throughout their entire recognised distributions.

Ceph research could head in any direction. You just have to determine what you want to do - whether it be biology/life history, behaviour, systematics, culture or conservation (and more). Just ask Tintenfisch what it's like working alongside me ..... you might have second thoughts you know.
Cheers
O

 

[Steve O'Shea]

the thread was totaled when it hit the deer.... which then ran off with the original subject. :P

This is all too apparent

 

[fluffysquid]

Steve-

So..... what's this about undergrad degrees in Marine Biology there in NZ? Just out of curiosity, really.

thanks,
Amber

There's some interesting stuff happening here in NZ, Amber, if you're interested in squid, octopus, systematics, culture/aquaculture, general deep-sea biology and marine invertebrates in general - and we can even throw in a little documentary work if you're so inclined (we're juggling 4 at this point in time ... as in the next couple of months). You should see some interesting squid stuff start hitting the screens early next year .... and beyond.

Thanks for the reply, Steve
ooooo..... so very tempting. I admit I even did take the time to look at school in the general area. From the sound of it, the happenings in NZ are right up my alley of interest. Well, at any rate, there is no way I would be able to make it to NZ until after the next two semesters at the very least. One can dream. I may have a particularly good job in the workings for next summer which could help with travel. I guess I will see what happens.

~Amber

 

[Jean]

1. I think we Kiwis are enamoured (big word!! Jean just had a Red Bull and is a little high!!) of Aussie animals espec the mammals cos we don't have any native ones of our own (well except for small very cryptic bats and ceph murdering marine mammals ) All the other mammals here are introduced (including yours truely!)


2. re research, Steve any chance of a Post Doc

or have you heard of any coming up say next year???????????


J

 

[myopsida]

A mature roo can do huge damage to a vehicle not to mention killing the animal, which is much more sad

Now possums are a different matter - they do little damage and if you can get a minimum of 25 with your Hire Car you get extra points towards your NZ citizenship/residency application

 

[Tentacular!]

they do little damage and if you can get a minimum of 25 with your Hire Car you get extra points towards your NZ citizenship/residency application

MEAN.... but funny. We've got a possum in our ceiling space at the moment. They're graceful and agile in the trees, but sound bloody clumsy when they're clambering over rafters directly above your head at three in the morning.

I'm posting off main thread topic again. Mea maxima culpa. Time for more flagellation.