Unknown cause for disappearance of Critically
Endangered birds
February 2013. The critically endangered New Zealand shore plover population on
Waikawa (Portland Island) has been dealt a harsh blow.
World population of just 200 birds
When Helen Jonas, New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) team leader for
the shore plover recovery on Portland Island visited late last year, she
discovered the island population had been reduced to a quarter of what it was,
and now just 20 birds remain. The total world population has been reduced to
about 200 birds. "This has a huge impact on the viability of the
species" said Ms Jonas, as Waikawa was considered to be a safe and stable
population.
The privately owned island has been a safe
sanctuary to the shore plover for the past thirteen years. The numbers had
built up to a point where the population was contributing eggs to other
predator free islands. This season's planned egg translocation turned into a
rescue attempt.
Unknown cause
We didn't know what the issue was and unfortunately we still don't know Ms Jonas said. It could have been disease, predation by gulls or hawks, mustelid, rat, cat or even a dog that's come over with a visitor to the island. As a precaution 12 Shore plover eggs were removed from the island and taken to Mount Bruce Pukaha in Wairarapa and Isaac's Wildlife Centre in Christchurch for incubation. The juveniles are planned to be released on Mana Island next month.
We didn't know what the issue was and unfortunately we still don't know Ms Jonas said. It could have been disease, predation by gulls or hawks, mustelid, rat, cat or even a dog that's come over with a visitor to the island. As a precaution 12 Shore plover eggs were removed from the island and taken to Mount Bruce Pukaha in Wairarapa and Isaac's Wildlife Centre in Christchurch for incubation. The juveniles are planned to be released on Mana Island next month.
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