As part of an ongoing battle to preserve New Zealand’s native wildlife from the effects of invasive species such as rats and mice, and provide an environment for populations to increase, the country’s Department of Conservation (DOC) recently shipped a pair of captive-bred takahē lovebirds to rodent-free Motutapu Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
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He Maipi and Autahi, the pair of takahē
lovebirds, begin their inspection of their
new home
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The birds, named He Maipi and Autahi, flew from a takahē rearing unit to their new home, not under their own steam but with the help of Air New Zealand. The pair will bring to 18 the number of takahē on the island, where it is hoped they will prosper now that a big threat to their survival has been removed.
Meanwhile, on Te Hoiere/Maud Island wildlife sanctuary in the Marlborough Sounds the battle continues to create predator-free sanctuaries for endangered native species.
Aside from the birdlife, rodents also pose a threat to the islands’ native insects, frogs and some lizard species.
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