Author(s): Peter Garden

NZ Non-Fiction | Biography / Memoir | Adventure | Transport

At a time when our mandate to defend biodiversity and reverse the damage of centuries has never been clearer or more urgent, the legacy of helicopter pilot Peter Garden sets a critical example. For decades, he has been part of some of the most ground-breaking bird rescue projects in the world, at some of its most extreme latitudes. From helping to create rat-free havens in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Seychelles, the Pacific Islands, Puerto Rico and Alaska, to a twelve-year battle to rid sub-Antarctic South Georgia Island of rodents, Garden has teamed up with dedicated international pilots and conservationists to develop eradication strategies that work. His approach is simple: do the job properly. Building on knowledge from boyhood years spent roaming the wilds of Southland and later agricultural, firefighting and search and rescue missions, he has spent hundreds of flight hours fine-tuning the techniques to stop predator devastation and permanently reclaim entire islands for at-risk bird populations. Fog, gale force winds, freezing temperatures and red tape can thwart even the best laid plans and the sturdiest helicopters. But the successes have been thrilling. This story is part technical manual for future operators, part occasion to share in the sheer bloody-mindedness and perseverance it takes to backtrack on ecological negligence. On South Georgia, the songbirds are back: Southern Wanderer is Peter Garden’s testament to the recovery within our grasp. “If a reader is interested in aviation and a ‘can do’ attitude this book is a great story of wanderlust, flying ability, drive, focus and quiet humour. It is one of the best books I have enjoyed in recent times. The narrative flows easily and some fantastic colour photographs and good maps enhance the journeys Peter has undertaken.” – R J Tapper