MAY 17,
2019 7:32 AM AEST
These
seven rowi, or Ōkārito brown kiwi, were all wild-hatched on predator free Mana
Island and are part of a kiwi kōhanga initiative.
The
initiative began in 2012, when juvenile rowi were transferred to Mana Island to
establish a breeding population. The juveniles were selected for their genetic
diversity, safeguarding the main rowi population, and have gone on to breed a
second generation.
A
predator free island and Scientific Reserve, Mana Island was identified as the
ideal sanctuary for a satellite population of rowi and kōhanga site.
“Rowi
were once widespread across the South Island and lower North Island. They
haven’t been in the north for well over 100 years, so having chicks hatch on
Mana Island – a habitat well suited to their species – was pretty special,”
says Jack Mace, DOC Kapiti Wellington Operations Manager.
“It’s
exciting that we’ve reached a point where some of these rowi can be released on
the mainland, while Mana Island continues to be home for a small population.”
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