Latest news with #KiwiRecoveryGroup
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rare kiwi spo
A rare bird species has been rediscovered on the main islands of New Zealand after not being seen for almost 50 years. The bird - a kiwi pukupuku - also known as a dwarf or little spotted kiwi is the smallest of the kiwi 1978 it has been thought to be extinct on New Zealand's main islands, only living on the offshore islands and in fenced predator-free sites. That was until one was captured on video recently. 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 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 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!"
Miami Herald
16-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
‘Little' creature feared locally extinct for decades rediscovered in New Zealand
In a remote region of mainland New Zealand's west coast, Iain Graham heard a duet between a male and female of one of the country's most iconic species. If Graham's ears were correct — honed by his profession as a Biodiversity ranger — then he knew he was hearing two creatures believed to be locally extinct — little spotted kiwi, known locally as a kiwi pukupuku, according to a July 16 news release from the New Zealand Department of Conservation. He and his dog Brew, part of a team dispatched to locate both protected species and pests, scoured the rough terrain for days in search of the birds, getting 'frustratingly close,' but not close enough. They were sent there on a tip from a hunter who first sighted the little spotted kiwi in March, according to the release. On Graham and Brew's final night before getting flown out, in what Graham called their 'absolute last chance,' they found the female and collected feathers which verified its identity. The chance rediscovery of the little spotted kiwi, not seen on the mainland since 1978 both shocked and delighted conservationists. Little spotted kiwi are the smallest of the five kiwi species, and 'are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators,' experts said. It was believed they only survived at fenced predator-free sites on offshore islands, according to the release. 'Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn't found them – until now,' Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said. 'It was like finding a needle in a haystack.' 'Kiwi pukupuku are one of those unique species which make Aotearoa New Zealand so special,' King added. 'I'm not sure how to express how thrilling this rediscovery is for the conservation world!' Graham and Brew returned to the area and successfully captured the male. The Department of Conservation will work with local tribes to explore protection and management of the birds on the mainland. The kiwi were found in the Adams Wilderness Area on New Zealand's west coast. It is about 120 miles west from Christchurch.
The Advertiser
16-07-2025
- Science
- The Advertiser
Rare kiwi found in NZ for first time in 50 years
A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "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." "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." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "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." "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." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "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." "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." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain. A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "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." "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." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain.
Perth Now
16-07-2025
- Science
- Perth Now
Rare kiwi found in NZ for first time in 50 years
A rare kiwi has been found in the wild on mainland New Zealand for the first time in 50 years, the nation's conservation authority says. The smallest of the kiwi species, the kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi), was thought to only live in offshore islands and fenced predator-free sites, the Department of Conservation (DOC) said. However, a DOC-contracted hunter spotted the bird in a remote part of the South Island's West Coast. DOC ranger Iain Graham and his conservation dog Brew were flown in to locate it. "I heard kiwi calling the first night - two of them duetting - and immediately knew they didn't sound like other kiwi. It was exciting, but it took a few days to narrow down the area," Graham said. "We were in rough terrain, in typical West Coast weather, and I was running out of dry clothes. Brew would find a burrow, but I couldn't get to the bird. We were so frustratingly close," he added. "I was stoked when we finally caught up with the female on our final night, the absolute last chance before getting flown out." Tiny feathers were collected from the kiwi to confirm the bird was a kiwi pukupuku. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King said the discovery was almost miraculous. "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." "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." DOC will now work with local Maori to protect and manage the birds, of which an estimated 2000 remain.
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Kiwi pukupuku spotted on West Coast
A pair of Kiwi singing in the night led to confirmation the Kiwi pukupuku is living in the bush on the West Coast. Kiwi Recovery Group leader Emily King spoke to Charlotte Cook. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
