Page 74 - 2008 NZ Subantarctic Islands

hands, and generally making a clown and even a pest of himself

was a wonderful way to say goodbye to New Zealand because we
know that even this often pesky creature is protected by the New

Zealanders themselves who stand behind the wonderful work
DOC does to save and protect the native animal, birds and plants

here.

Chapter 17. Conclusions

Our visit to the SubAntarctic Islands of New Zealand was an

enjoyable success in everyway. The scenery was unspoiled and
wildly beautiful. The animals are charming even if not particularly
handsome—such as the dragon tuatara reptile. The birds are so

different because of their isolated evolution. The plants are
strange to us but very lush and lovely. The Clipper Odyssey is a

comfortable and maneuverable ship with a friendly and helpful
staff and Zegrahm Expeditions provides the most expert guides in

the world anywhere they take their customers. We had renowned
ornithologists, geologists, marine biologists, geographers and

geologists, historians, botanists, and evolutionary biologists all
eager to make our trip to this special part of the world more
meaningful to us. And a really special facet of the trip was

learning about the terrific and effective conservation programs
run by The New Zealand Department of Conservation with huge

majority support of the Kiwis themselves both those of European
background and the native Maoris! In this remote part of the

world where evolution has produced such singular beings and
plants, it also seems to have allowed Homo sapiens New

Zealandiensis to become a true human being who is concerned
with the natural world as well as himself! What a privilege to be
among them for a while.

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