logo
‘Booming' mating call heard for first time in over century on New Zealand island

‘Booming' mating call heard for first time in over century on New Zealand island

Miami Herald01-05-2025

Over the summer, on the North Island of New Zealand, 'booming' sounds echoed from the ancient forests surrounding Maungatautari Mountain.
They were the mating calls of two critically endangered kākāpō, and they had not been heard on the mainland for over a century, wildlife officials said in a May 1 news release.
According to experts, booming is part of the kākāpō's 'elaborate' mating ritual. The calls are low-frequency but powerful enough to be heard for miles, according to experts.
These historic calls were produced by 11-year-old Taeatanga and 6-year-old Tautahi, two of three male kākāpō brought from the South Island to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in 2023 as part of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme, according to the release.
Tāne Davis, a representative of the Ngāi Tahu tribal council, said the booming was a 'significant milestone' for everyone involved in protecting the kākāpō, according to the release.
Davis said the booming is 'a clear sign' that the males 'are feeling at home and comfortable to exhibit their natural behaviour.'
'Males are known to practice their mating calls, even in non-breeding years and without the presence of females,' the Kākāpō Recovery Programme said in an April 30 Facebook post.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Cultural Advocate and Educator Bodie Taylor said they hope to welcome females to the sanctuary when the males are settled to help grow the population of the 'precious' kākāpō, according to the release.
Officials said it is too early to confirm if the mountain will be an appropriate breeding site for the species.
The three males were provided supplementary food over the last six months to help them settle into the new environment, so it's unclear if they would boom without this assistance, according to the release.
Kākāpō Recovery Programme Operations Manager Deidre Vercoe said in the release that 'it will be many years before we know enough about this site and its future for kākāpō.'
Vercoe said 'kākāpō booming would have been prolific throughout the country before the arrival of humans and mammalian predators,' according to the release.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is about a 115-mile drive southeast from Auckland.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Planning and zoning commission to review urban chicken use
Planning and zoning commission to review urban chicken use

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Planning and zoning commission to review urban chicken use

Jun. 8—Newton residents have crowed for the council to do something about its domestic livestock ordinance and allow more free-range policies when it comes to owning chickens within city limits, and now their efforts are paying off. The council this past week instructed the planning and zoning commission to look into the matter. Efforts to change the city's ordinances are largely spearheaded by an online group known as Backyard Birds for Newton. The Facebook page has amassed a following of supporters who agree they should be able to raise and keep chickens on their properties. But the current zoning codes restricts their use. For instance, the domains of domestic livestock have to be at least 100 feet from a residence on any neighboring property. Up to four chickens are allowed per one acre of property. But not many properties within cit limits are less than one acre or meet the 100-foot threshold. Average lot widths are 60 to 66 feet wide. During the June 2 city council meeting, a Newton resident explained that she currently lives in an apartment but is looking to buy a home within the next year. One of the biggest considerations for her and her family is to have a property that can have chickens. But she said she cannot afford a home with that much land. Last month, Newton resident Erica Patterson spoke to council members about the group's efforts to change the ordinance. She argued that changing the zoning codes lets families have more control over the food they consume, and it would instill self-sustainability. The group, she said, also created a petition. So far, the petition has more than 600 verified signatures. The group suggested a minimum of six hens be allowed on properties, but no roosters or drakes will be allowed. They also said a permit should be required and that setbacks be at 10-15 feet. Birds must remain on the owner's property, and likely fenced in. Coops need to be clean, secure and predator-proof. Feed must also be stored securely and waste must be managed to avoid odor or pests. Repeated violations would have a permit revoked. The group also proposed limited egg sharing and requiring people to obtain or receive educational materials on proper care for backyard chickens.

Search underway on Elkhorn Creek for missing man, 4 rescued after group of tubers pulled underwater by current
Search underway on Elkhorn Creek for missing man, 4 rescued after group of tubers pulled underwater by current

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Search underway on Elkhorn Creek for missing man, 4 rescued after group of tubers pulled underwater by current

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Emergency personnel are searching Elkhorn Creek for a missing man after a group of five tubers were pulled underwater by the current on Saturday. A family member of one of the rescued tubers told FOX 56 News that around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, they went floating on the creek at Still Waters Campground when the current swept them under a pile of debris. Four people were able to get out of the creek, but one person is reportedly still missing. Search underway on Elkhorn Creek for missing man, 4 rescued after group of tubers pulled underwater by current Live music event hits high note in Lexington neighborhoods Perry County mourns passing of elementary school student: 'Zane deserved more time' A survivor's family member who spoke to FOX 56 crews said a recovery mission began around 3 p.m. on Sunday. FOX 56 has reached out to Frankfort authorities, and more information will be provided when it becomes available. Still Waters Campground staff posted on Facebook around 3 p.m. on Sunday, announcing that the boat launch and kayak ramp would be closed for maintenance purposes until further notice. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

No fatalities reported after plane crashes in Tennessee, local officials say
No fatalities reported after plane crashes in Tennessee, local officials say

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

No fatalities reported after plane crashes in Tennessee, local officials say

A plane with several people on board has crashed in Coffee County, Tennessee, about 60 miles south of Nashville, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. 'Initial reports suggest 16–20 people were on board. Some have been airlifted to nearby hospitals,' the highway patrol said in an X post Sunday afternoon. 'This is an active scene.' Multiple people have been flown to local hospitals while others are being evaluated at the scene, the highway patrol added in a Facebook post. No one died in the crash, but there are some minor injuries, according to Lyle Russell, a spokesperson for the City of Tullahoma where the crash occurred. Highway patrol video shows damage to the plane's tail which appears to have broken off along with other parts of the aircraft. Yellow caution tape is seen in the video blocking off the area where the plane came to rest while officials investigate the scene. 'At approximately 12:15p on Sunday, June 8th, a plane crash occurred at Tullahoma Regional Airport,' Russell said in a statement to CNN. 'The scene is being secured by local authorities while FAA officials are en route to continue the investigation.' Initial information suggests the aircraft was a skydiving plane, according to a law enforcement officials. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNN's Evan Perez contributed to this report.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store