No stepping in to save takahe chicks

A ''non-interference'' policy meant Orokonui Ecosanctuary staff could not save its only two takahe chicks from being killed in last week's floods.

The Dunedin ecosanctuary announced yesterday the newly hatched chicks died from exposure after wandering from their nest when it began raining last Tuesday.

The rare chicks, of the park's only pair of the birds, Quammen and Paku, were hatched within the past fortnight.

General manager Amanda Symon said the deaths were ''gutting''.

''I think that's the reality of having wildlife. It's a really unfortunate thing.''

Orokonui conservation manager Elton Smith said it was ''sad'', but he was being pragmatic. There were about 350 of the New Zealand native birds in the world.

''It's just one of those things. The weather is something you can't control.

''I mean it's disappointing on a number of levels and the loss of two chicks for people to view is one of them.''

There was hope the pair could soon re-nest again, he said.

''If they don't this season, they will next season.''

The first chick was found dead in wet grass following the floods.

The second was never found, but staff could tell by the way its parents were acting that it was dead, he said.

''The day after that the parents were acting like they didn't have another chick to feed.

The chicks likely died of hypothermia after getting drenched.

The park's recovery strategy through the Department of Conservation was of ''non-interference'', he said.

''Some people may ask 'why didn't you cover them', but we have to leave them to their own devices.''

There would have been some loss of other animals, but ''nothing obvious''.

The deaths would not have strongly impacted the overall recovery programme for the birds, as probably ''a dozen'' were lost every year, he said.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz