Ulva Island

Ulva Island

Ulva Island, also known as Coopers Island, is a picturesque small island about 3.5 km long located within Paterson Inlet, which is part of the stunning Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand. This pristine island boasts an area of 267 hectares, with almost all (261 ha) being part of Rakiura National Park. Its name pays homage to the island of Ulva in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Thanks to its relative isolation and easy access from Stewart Island, Ulva Island has evolved into an essential natural resource area. It serves as a sanctuary for a diverse range of bird and plant species, many of which are rare or have disappeared from the mainland of New Zealand. Notably, in 1997, the island was declared rat-free following a successful eradication program, paving the way for the reintroduction of various bird species. These include the South Island Saddleback, Yellowhead and Stewart Island Robin, among others. Ulva Island also hosts bird species that are rare on the mainland, such as the Stewart Island subspecies of Southern Brown Kiwi, rifleman, Yellow-Crowned and Red-Fronted Parakeet, and South Island Kākā or Forest Parrot. The island is also a critical breeding site for the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin. This remarkable conservation success story makes Ulva Island a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike.