Wild Heart partners highlight - meet Fiordland Wapiti Foundation

Introducing Wild Heart, a special edition burger that's built with purpose and consciously crafted in partnership with conservationist crusaders; Citizen Collective, the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and WITHWILD. Wild Heart is designed to challenge the way we look at food consumption in New Zealand.

We want to shine a spotlight on our partners; this week we look at the work Fiordland Wapiti Foundation are doing.

In1993, a group of hunters formed the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) to address the potential threat to the flora and fauna of the Fiordland National Park caused by Wapiti deer, an introduced species, while maintaining a quality herd for future trophy hunting opportunities. In combination with a DOCreforestation project, the FWF selective culling programme aims to maintain the deer population at a sustainable environmental level. The FWF has created a world-leading approach to conservation, looking after 175,000 hectares as the only private organisation to which DOC has relinquished majority control.

The aim is to cull around 1000 -1400 animals from the area through helicopter-based hunting. These activities help meet key FWF objectives supporting the Fiordland National Park as a World Heritage area while encouraging conservation and appreciation of the Wapiti herd as a manageable resource.

The management programme consists of a combination of a controlled Wapiti hunting ballot system and Heli-hunting, which sees huge international demand for a fifty-day management window. Hunters can apply online to be allocated a 10-dayhunt permit for one of the 25 Fiordland blocks.

The leading man providing the passion behind the organisation is Roy Sloan. A man on a mission to protect his backyard, ensuring future generations can enjoy the Fiordland National Park. Sloan is the global gold standard in deer management and conservation. Living and working in Te Anau, Southland, Roy works full time for the FWF.

Learn more HERE | Follow them @fiordland_wapiti_foundation

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WildHeart is 100% locally sourced and consciously crafted with rescued and repurposed ingredients.

WITHWILD Fiordland Wapiti Venison Patty: Comes from the heart of the Fiordland National Park where, every year, wild introduced Wapiti deer are culled to help protect precious native flora and fauna through WITHWILD and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation deer management programme. A dollar from every burger sold will be donated to support the park's conservation.

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