"Mystery kiwi" discovered in Nelson Lakes National Park
July 13, 2007
Department of Conservation
The kiwi discovered in the Rotoiti
Nature Recovery Project mainland island. |
Nelson Lakes National Park rangers were surprised to find a "mystery kiwi" in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project mainland island during routine checks on the kiwi and changes of radio-transmitters.
The adult-sized great spotted kiwi was found sheltering in a burrow with another kiwi that had been transferred to the mainland island project last year, as part of Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi.
"We were radio-tracking adult kiwi transferred to the project area in 2004 and 2006," said project team leader Paul Gasson. "The first kiwi we pulled from the burrow had no radio tag or identifying marks. Weighing in at 2.5 kg, it was the size of an adult male, but with glossy dark legs and claws it looked more youthful than any of the other adults we handle".
Mr Gasson believes that the previously unknown kiwi may have hatched in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Area during late 2005.
"Our radio-tracking work told us that a pair of kiwi nested in this area during late 2005. Unfortunately the nesting attempt was followed by tragedy when the mother - named Rameka - was killed in a flood that washed through her breeding territory in early 2006. Rameka's carcass was recovered, but no chick was ever found."
Mr Gasson said DNA testing may be used to confirm the parentage of the newly-discovered kiwi, and may also be used to show the sex of the bird.
"The new kiwi may yet prove to be a female, as females grow bigger than males, and we do not know if he or she has finished growing."
The new kiwi was found sharing a burrow with an adult female who was released in the project area last year.
"But we do not know whether these two will soon become a breeding pair, or whether they are just friends."
Sixteen adult great spotted kiwi were transferred from Kahurangi National Park to the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project mainland island during 2004 and 2006, with support from the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust.
A total of three kiwi chicks - including the latest discovery - are known to have hatched inside the mainland island since the project began.
"This ground-breaking project is on track to establish a new great spotted kiwi population in the wild," Mr Gasson said. "The adult survival rate is high, and the high survival rate of the chicks shows that the mainland island predator control programme is benefiting native species".
- Nine adult great spotted kiwi were released into RNRP mainland island in May 2004, and a further seven adult kiwi were transferred to RNRP in May and June 2006. All of the adults were sourced from the Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park.
- Kiwi radio-transmitters are inspected and replaced during winter to avoid disturbing kiwi nesting in spring/summer.
- Two of three great spotted kiwi chicks known to have hatched in the RNRP mainland island have exceeded 1kg in weight, and are considered to be large enough to fend off stoat attacks. The smallest chick is approaching 1kg in weight.
