3 October 2016
Some 100,000 wild kiwi could be
roaming New Zealand in less than 15 years, according to a new government plan.
The Kiwi
Recovery Plan 2017-2027 by the Department of Conservation is an
attempt to scale up efforts to New Zealand's national icon.
Kiwi numbers have been falling at
around 2% a year, largely due to predators such as stoats and dogs.
Once numbering in the millions,
there are now only an estimated 68,000 kiwi remaining in the wild.
"This government is not
prepared to accept that our national bird is at any ongoing risk of potentially
becoming extinct in their natural habitat," said Conservation Minister
Maggie Barry.
So what exactly is the plan?
"This strategy focuses on
growing the wild kiwi population, rather than steadying or managing
decline," added Ms Barry.
As well as increasing numbers,
the plan will also restore the birds' formerly safe habitats.
"It is possible to bring
kiwi back from endangered to everywhere," says the report.
Success lies in managing kiwi
predators.
Dogs are one of the biggest
threats, with a single dog capable of setting back years of conservation work
in an area.
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