Looking after species
©naturepl.com / Doug Perrine / WWF

Looking after species

Protecting threatened marine species

Across the world, there has been 69% drop in monitored wildlife populations since 1970. In one lifetime, we have lost nature at an alarming rate. And we continue to do so. 

In Aotearoa New Zealand, 94% of our reptile species, 82% of bird species, 80% of bat species, 76% of freshwater fish species, 22% of marine mammal species and 46% of vascular plant species are either facing extinction or are at risk of being threatened with extinction. Many of our species are endemic – found nowhere else in the world. 

WWF has the ambitious goal of Zero Extinction. We don’t want to lose any more species than we already have. To achieve that, we work collaboratively with academia, government and other organisations.

We conduct research, campaign for species protection and undertake advocacy on national marine issues, particularly as they relate to Threatened and Endangered species.

© Teo Lucas / Gigante Azul / WWF

Marine Mammals

New Zealand, including our sub-Antarctic islands, is home to many marine mammal species, including dolphins, whales, seals and sea lions. Some of them, like Māui dolphin and the New Zealand sea lion, are found nowhere else. 

Many species are Threatened or Endangered and facing threats from habitat degradation, climate change, commercial fishing operations, and plastics in the oceans.

© Peter Langlands

Sea birds

Aotearoa New Zealand is the seabird capital of the world. Of the estimated 346 seabird species worldwide, 145 can be found here in New Zealand waters.

95 of these species breed in New Zealand and over a third of them are endemic, meaning they only breed here. A significant number of our seabirds are endangered or critically threatened with extinction.

Commercial fishing is one of the greatest threats to seabirds. But other threats include loss of habitat, introduced predators, plastic pollution and climate change.
 

Get Involved

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Healthy Kelp Forest

Our Moana, Our Future

Add your name to show your support for '30x30'  - having 30% of our ocean in Marine Protected Areas by 2030.

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Erect crested penguins

Adopt an animal

Help protect New Zealand species by adopting a penguin, albatross or dolphin.

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Volunteers planting

Funding for Community Projects

WWF also supports a range of community-led projects protecting species and restoring habitats

Species News

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Antarctic skua and gentoo penguin
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about seabirds

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Oceanic white tip shark
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about Sharks and Rays

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two kea head to head
Fascinating Facts

Nine facts about New Zealand Parrots and Parakeets

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turtle hatchling crawls down beach
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about Marine Turtles

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Blue whale fluke
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about Whales

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Whio with 3 ducklings
Fascinating Facts

The Banknote Birds

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tiger chasing a bird
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about Tigers

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two dolphins
Fascinating Facts

More about Māui and Hector’s dolphins

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Antipodean albatross
Fascinating Facts

10 facts about Albatrosses

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Yellow-eyed penguin
Fascinating Facts

10 Facts about New Zealand penguins

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Pod of dolphins
Fascinating Facts

10 facts about Dolphins

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female sea lion
Fascinating Facts

10 facts about New Zealand sea lions

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Sea lion
Success Story

SeaSpotter app could revolutionise marine conservation

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Tiger in grass
Report

2022 The Year of the Tiger

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Using the drone
Success Story

Māui Dolphin Drone Project

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Leopard seal Owha - Westhaven marina
Report

Can a leopard seal change its spots?

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Leopard seal
Report

Leopard Seal Births

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Hector's dolphin
Resources

Māui Dolphin - Teacher's Resource