Latest news with #Kakī
Otago Daily Times
12-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Hope for kakī after release of hand-raised birds
Nearly 150 young kakī/black stilts have been released in the Mackenzie Basin. PHOTO: SUPPLIED/DOC New Zealand's wild kakī/black stilt population has been boosted with the release of 148 young birds in the Mackenzie Basin this month. Kakī are one of New Zealand's rarest native wading birds and a taonga species for Ngāi Tahu. Conservation efforts over the past 40 years have resulted in the bird — known for its distinctive black plumage and red legs — being rescued from a population low of just 23 and the brink of extinction. The released kakī were raised in captivity by the Department of Conservation (Doc) at its Twizel kakī facility, and by the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch. They join an estimated 141 adult birds in the wild, whose population fluctuates but is slowly increasing. This month, 75 kakī were released at Lake Tekapo, and another 73 into the Tasman Valley, where extensive trapping helps protect the birds from introduced predators such as stoats and feral cats. Doc senior biodiversity ranger Dean Nelson said the annual kakī release was a highlight for the local community, and the culmination of 10 months of intense work. "Each young kakī released into the wild has been hatched from incubated eggs taken from wild or captive pairs, then fed and cared for in captive facilities over many months," Mr Nelson said. "Kakī are critically endangered and found only in New Zealand. Our efforts to bolster and protect the wild population in the Mackenzie are crucial to their survival." The newly released kakī will be given supplementary food for up to six weeks as they settle into their new environment. Despite extensive predator control across their braided river habitat in the Tasman, Godley and Cass Valleys, kakī are vulnerable in the wild. On average, about 30% of released birds survive to adulthood. Mr Nelson said planned research, funded from the international visitor conservation and tourism levy, would use solar-powered GPS transmitters on kakī to improve understanding of why so many young birds were lost, and better focus management activities. Trials are already under way with captive kakī to find the best method of attaching the transmitters to the birds. This work was sponsored by Environment Canterbury and Guide Hill Station. — Allied Media
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Funding to aid wetlands restoration
A Waikākahi farming family has secured funding support from its local water zone committee to restore the Hossack Wetland. The wetland has become a feeding ground for one of the world's rarest birds, and protecting the species is one of the goals behind the project. Five years ago, a pair of kakī/black stilt started visiting the Crystal Brook farm in the Lower Waihao catchment, where the wetland is based. Kakī are regarded by Māori as a taonga species — a living treasure — and just 169 of the native wild adult birds remain. Farm owners Diane and Martin Cochrane and their nephew Simon Bloomberg had always intended on restoring the wetland to its former glory, but put it off as it was an expensive undertaking. However, invasive weeds and pest willow began spreading through the wetland and threatening the environment. With $10,000 of Action Plan funding allocated by the Lower Waitaki south coastal water zone committee, they were able to begin the work earlier this year. The first stage of the project was preparing the boundary, which involved getting rid of all the invasive tree species, such as willows, which spread easily. The next step was spraying the sides and re-fencing to allow for future expansion of the wetland. In spring, they will start planting native vegetation. In a statement, Mr Cochrane said the biggest challenge would be the maintenance involved in growing the native plants, as they could be quite vulnerable for their first three to five years. "It will be a family project — anything we can do to improve the environment and to make it a better home for wading birds is worth it." After planting, predator trapping will also be an important stage of the project. Growing native vegetation would attract more birds and insects, which will lead to more predators trying to kill the birds. Mr Cochrane said there had been a lot of wetland loss, particularly in Canterbury, and they were pleased the Hossack had not been developed into farmland. "The fact that this wetland is still here, providing a natural filter for water going into the Waihao River, is definitely worth protecting." Mrs Cochrane's family, the Elliots, had farmed the property since the 1899 Waikākahi farm ballot, and bought the neighbouring Hossack Wetland in the early 2000s. Improving the biodiversity for birdlife is just one benefit of the work. Restoring the wetland also meant improving habitat for native fauna, slowing water down during a flood and forming part of a biodiversity corridor along the Waihao River. The family hoped the project would encourage other landowners to show interest in how they could contribute to improving water quality and biodiversity. They planned to protect the wetland with a QEII covenant to ensure its survival for future generations. Incorporating public access to the wetland would also be part of the restoration project. Acting as a natural "filter" for water, wetlands play an important role in water quality, absorbing nutrients and trapping sediment that would otherwise make its way into our fresh water. By slowing the water flow from land and releasing it slowly in dry periods, they also play a vital role during periods of high or low rainfall. — APL
