Rare kiwi spo
All about kiwis
Kiwi's are flightless birds - they have tiny wings but can't fly. Whilst it does have feathers, they are loose and more like fur. Kiwi's also moult throughout the year, unlike other birds. It is the only bird in the world with nostrils at the end of its beak.Kiwi's are mostly nocturnal - this means they come out of their burrows at night to find food. Kiwi lay eggs as often as domestic hens, but kiwi eggs are six times bigger than eggs laid by most birds of their size.There are five species of kiwi- the kiwi pukupuku is the smallest species.
The discovery of the kiwi on the main islands has been described as 'almost miraculous'. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said: "The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978." "Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them - until now". She added: "Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special. I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world!"
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The Guardian
9 hours ago
- The Guardian
WA Museum partnership with Woodside criticised as record-breaking marine heatwave decimates coral reefs
The WA Greens and the state's peak conservation body have condemned the extension of a research partnership between the Western Australian Museum and Woodside, as the state reels from a record-breaking marine heatwave that has killed corals over a 1,500km stretch of ocean. The five-year continuation of the 'longstanding collaboration', in which the gas giant supports the museum's biodiversity research along the WA coastline, would allow for further targeted research along the Gascoyne coast, according to announcements. In a post on its LinkedIn page, the museum wrote that 'to mark the milestone' Woodside was supporting free general admission to the WA Maritime Museum on Sunday 17 August for the 'Woodside Energy Open Day' and the event would feature 'family-friendly activities all about marine science' as part of National Science Week. The new deal – which extends the 28-year partnership – and the open day have been promoted in front page advertisements in WA media this week. Sign up: AU Breaking News email It has prompted fury from climate advocates and the WA Greens as it coincides with the release of research about the extent of the damage caused by a record-breaking, climate-change fuelled marine heatwave to the state's coral reefs. The heatwave, which started to build off the north-west WA coast in August 2024, has been called 'the most severe coral bleaching on record for Western Australian coral reefs'. It has left 75% of affected coral either bleached or dead, according to a group of scientists from state and federal government departments, agencies and universities who worked on this week's report. The WA Greens fossil fuels and climate action spokesperson Sophie McNeill wrote to the museum on Tuesday seeking a briefing from its director Alec Coles 'because it seems like they [the museum] don't understand the relationship between fossil fuel companies and the devastating impacts of climate change we are seeing right now on our marine environment'. 'It is so inappropriate that the WA Museum has chosen to continue its partnership with one of the world's largest fossil fuel companies as our world heritage listed coral reefs are literally dying in front of our eyes,' McNeill said. 'As one of the state's biggest polluters, Woodside should not be allowed anywhere near marine science in Western Australia given they are responsible for the current devastation we are seeing along our coastline that is so universally loved by all.' McNeill expressed concern that children visiting museums to learn about oceans were being exposed to branding from 'the very same fossil fuel giant that is contributing to the death of our coral reefs'. 'It is deeply alarming that our precious institutions here in WA are so deeply captured, just like the WA Labor government, by fossil fuel companies like Woodside,' she said. In a statement, a spokesperson from WA Museum described it as 'independent, science-led, and committed to the people and the environment of Western Australia'. The spokesperson added that WA Museum relies on 'a diverse range of funding sources – including government, competitive research grants, philanthropic contributions, and corporate support'. They continued that 'engaging constructively and transparently with industry' allowed WA Museum to expand knowledge of WA's ecosystems, 'foster dialogue between sectors' and 'ensure that decisions about environmental impact are informed by the best available science'. The Conservation Council of WA said the museum, as a state government institution, should reject the extended sponsorship arrangement. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'If there is funding required the government should show some leadership and actually put up the money and ensure that important research is still continuing,' executive director Matt Roberts said. 'So that we're not relying on the very industry that is causing our marine systems to be on the brink of collapse to fund the research into that collapse.' Roberts said the council was organising a 'requiem for our reefs' at the Maritime Museum on Sunday to highlight the 'devastating impact of Woodside's emissions on WA's coral reef system, and calling for public support to stop Australia's biggest polluter from drilling for new gas under the pristine Scott Reef in the Browse Basin'. Paul Gamblin, the chief executive of the Australian Marine Conservation Society, questioned Woodside's motives, asking'what do they seek to gain from it?' 'Particularly given the very clear evidence of the marine environment coming under increasing stress, one might imagine we're going to see more of this kind of sponsorship and public relations.' The spokesperson for the WA Museum said 'Woodside neither directs the research, nor participates in it [and] the Museum retains all intellectual property generated, other than that vested in Traditional Owners'. Woodside referred back to the company statement released last week, which said the ongoing collaboration had 'led to the discovery and description of numerous new species, and significantly increased understanding of the marine environment of Western Australia'. Chief executive Meg O'Neill said last week 'this renewed collaboration reaffirms Woodside's commitment to responsible environmental management and the ongoing discovery of WA's unique marine biodiversity'.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Siamese crocodile hatchlings reunited with parents in zoo
Three critically endangered Siamese crocodile hatchlings have been reunited with their parents after their birth earlier this and Rebecca are the proud parents of the little reptile brothers at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, eggs were removed from the nest for artificial incubation, to ensure the best temperatures for healthy Stevenson, head of education at the zoo, said the crocodiles were "excellent parents" and the little ones were being well looked after. The newest arrivals have not been named yet and have been sitting out basking, then "swimming over and sitting on mum or dad's back," he Stevenson, originally from Sydney Australia, said: "It's a bit of a surprise to a lot of people that crocs are such good parents."They're the only reptiles that show extended and quite detailed parental care."It is "excellent" from an education point of view, he said, as the team was able to monitor the crocodiles' parent and child relationship in action. "Both mum and dad are extremely protective of the young ones," he said, which made feeding and maintaining the enclosures "tricky" for the keepers."The parents are extra sensitive at the moment because they're in protective mode and everything can be seen as a threat to the hatchlings," Mr Stevenson animals, which can live into their 50s, usually grow to around 6,000 times their birth are native to Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam and are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of were near to extinction but have been making a comeback in some areas. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Do not use power tools to take fossils, Somerset town asks
A Somerset coastal town is asking beachgoers to only take loose fossils, after reports of people using power tools and chisels to extract the ancient coastal town of Watchet is home to several spots popular with fossil hunters. The stretch of coastline between Lilstock and Blue Anchor is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to its Jurassic and Triassic town council says it wants people who hunt for fossils there to do so responsibly and sustainably, and has erected warning Andy King, chief executive officer of the town's geology firm Geckoella, said it was a way of ensuring people could continue the practice long into the future. Dr King said: "It's a fantastic geological resource, a brilliant geological heritage - you can't fail to go down there and see fossils."You can pick fossils up when they're loose, but it's about how people behave responsibly on the beach."The Fossil Collecting Code, written by a collaboration of organisations and groups affected by or involved in fossil hunting, says trying to break the rocks with hammers or power tools could damage the sensitive coastlines, and should be left to professionals. Picking up fossils in general is encouraged by Dr King, who said they would only be washed away into the added: "There is a level of protection and this really is about enhancing that protection and that conservation."Watchet's mayor, councillor Loretta Whetlor, said: "We were very pleased to partner with Watchet Conservation Society and our local experts Geckoella in supporting this initiative."We love to welcome all visitors to the area, especially to enjoy our wonderful coastline with its Jurassic geology and fossils."New signs have been erected at Helwell Bay and Doniford Beach, our most popular fossil collecting spots, to encourage visitors to follow the responsible code."
