- Sunday 5 September 2010
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Why did four kiwi have to die?
Forest & Bird is questioning the quality and coverage of trapping at Pukaha Mount Bruce after the discovery last week of four dead kiwis, thought to have been killed by a ferret.
While conceding trapping was labour intensive and needed a high level of skill, Masterton-based Forest & Bird lower North Island field officer Aalbert Rebergen said he ''did not accept that the quality and density of trapping was as good as it could be''.
Mr Rebergen also suggested that the introduction of 30 North Island brown kiwi transferred from Hauturu/Little Barrier Island to the forest in May had been premature and was a case of ''putting the horse behind the wagon''.
''Earlier this year we felt it may not be the right time to release them because we were unsure that Pukaha was safe and properly trapped,'' he said.
Since the introduction of kiwi to the National Wildlife Centre in late 2003, Pukaha has suffered one other deadly attack, in April 2008, when five kiwi were killed. Mr Rebergen said the latest attacks suggested nothing had been learned from the 2008 deaths.
But Department of Conservation Wairarapa area manager Chris Lester said the department had confidence in its pest control programme.
''We regularly review our pest control operations, the purpose of which is to ensure we're operating at national best practice standards. I'm extremely confident that this is the case, but the reality is that we don't have a predator-proof fence and nor do we want one,'' Mr Lester said.
He said DoC was trying to establish a viable kiwi population without a fence.
''No matter how intensive the trapping regime is, periodic attacks will happen, it's inevitable. There is no way we can provide 100 per cent protection at Pukaha or anywhere on the mainland without a fence.
''All this incident serves to prove what a tough road kiwi _ and other native species _ have in the face of introduced mammalian predators,'' Mr Lester said.
DoC biodiversity programme manager Bruce Vander Lee said the 30 translocated kiwi had been closely monitored since their release and appeared to have settled well. ''They had been establishing territories and several appeared to have found mates in readiness for the breeding season.''
A plan to recapture the kiwi for their first health check showed birds had made impressive weight gains and were in good condition.
