Kiwi Project
The Kiwi project is now in its fourth year with a trapping volunteer base of over 30. The initial goal was to move a group (about 10 birds initially, in pairs) of North Island Brown kiwi from captivity in other locations nationwide to a 1000 hectare, predator-controlled site in the Park to establish a viable, self-sustaining Kiwi population. Currently 8 birds have been released with more to be released in 2008.
Two of the older birds (Koniwi and Milo) subsequently died of natural causes but three new chicks have been successfully hatched from eggs laid and incubated by two of our kiwi pairs.
The (stoat trapped) Turere catchment release area is over 1000 ha in size, the minimum considered necessary for a self-sustaining population of brown kiwi. Large areas of native bush bordering the release area will provide adequate space for later dispersal.
The Turere release area has suitable foraging and breeding habitat for kiwi survival. The humane Doc 200 kill traps are checked fortnightly in the summer and monthly in the winter. Peak season for stoat population is Jan/Feb when the kit are leaving the nest and dispersing.
While fully grown brown kiwi (birds over 1200 grams) are capable of defending themselves against attack by stoats, their eggs and young chicks are vulnerable.
A robust predator control regime that includes the boundary buffer and internal stoat trapping programme, along with continued monitoring of the brown kiwi population, will minimise the threat to young kiwi.
If you would like to Sponsor a Trap and help save our Kiwis and their progeny in the future, please click here!
For the latest update on our stoat and rat trapping efforts, see this Adobe PDF document entitled "Report on Stoat Trapping - September 2007" (1.54mb)
Emu egg (left) seen alongside a Kiwi egg. An interesting comparison, considering the relative size of the fully-grown birds! Photo credit: Susan Ellis
