Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch is home to the largest open display of kiwi.
Over the last season, the New Zealand Conservation Trust at Willowbank was the only operation to take an active part in 'Operation Nest Egg'in the South Island with both Okarito Brown kiwi (Rowi)and Hasst Tokoeka eggs.
This year all Hasst Kiwi Eggs are to be brought into the Reserve fron the wild as well as young chicks found by DOC. Hasst kiwi are at a critical stage with less than 100 pairs in the wild. predation has caused havoc in their territory even with a continual trapping regime.
operation Nest Egg is a system where eggs are removed from the wild, hatched and reared in captivity by an approved operator, then released back into the wild when the chick is big enough to defend itself against predators. Up until recently this project has only involved North Island birds but now there is recognition that several South Island species are at a critical stage. The Great Spotted Kiwi numbers have reduced to less than 10,000 although this cannot be accuratley assessed.
www.willowbank.co.nz

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