‘Highlight’ of the year to see endangered kakī out in the wild ‘where they belong’

The release of 134 critically endangered wading birds into remote wilderness was a “highlight” of the year for the Department of Conservation (Doc) team involved. Taking place across two Canterbury sites over successive weekends, the release was heralded as another milestone moment for the survival of the endangered bird. Sixty-seven captive raised kakī were set free on the Godley River in the Mackenzie Basin on one day, with further releases over two days along the Tasman River. The waders were aged eight or nine months when released and either kept at the Doc captive breeding facility near Twizel or the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, near Christchurch. The successful releases were testament to months and years of hard work from the dedicated team at the Kakī Recovery Programme — and their many volunteers and helpers. ‘A thrill to see them out in the wild’ Some birds emerged tentatively from their boxes on the banks of the braided river, others were more bold, flying straight out — all quickly familiarised themselves with their new surroundings. The releases were a family affair and a moment that the children who opened the boxes, and the adults, won’t forget anytime soon. Project lead, Doc biodiversity ranger Liz Brown, of Twizel, said watching the birds return to their natural habitat was a thrill. “From a personal perspective, it’s the highlight of the year getting to see these kakī in the wild. “The whole aim of the project is to get the wild population to a sustainable level where we do not need captive rearing anymore.” It was “a lot of work getting them to this point” and a “massive thrill to see them out in the wild where they should be”. All the kakī were special but there were some, often the ones that had to go down to the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital, which the team became more attached to. “We keep an eye on everyone but those ones are special.” One bird was not released last year due to a “significant” break in its beak, meaning it had to have surgery at the wildlife hospital. The black stilt’s beak has now regrown and he “looks fantastic”. “It was really cool to see him released.” Releasing the birds in bigger groups gave them a much better chance of survival, and helped them with finding future breeding partners and with genetic diversity, Ms Brown said. Despite the risks posed by H5 bird flu, which is now in New Zealand, the releases “needed to proceed” because captive breeding facilities had reached capacity, causing issues as fights among birds increased. Twelve juveniles that were a “good representation of genetic diversity” were kept back at the captive breeding programme, in a case of “not putting all our eggs in one basket”. Waders with ‘attitude’ The waders could be “quite territorial” and “quite feisty” birds. “They have definitely got attitude.” That much was clear last Saturday as the birds squabbled over their supplementary feed on plates that were dotted around. What’s on the menu? Hearty stuff; ox hearts to be exact. The kakī in Doc’s captive breeding facility were kept fed with 5000kg of ox hearts provided by Alliance Group, based in Pukeuri in North Otago, and this will also be given following release. Supplementary feeding would continue for the next six weeks — as dedicated kakī rangers “closely” monitor the waders and give the released birds “the best possible chance of survival”. The tempting food can also attract the interest of the local black-billed gulls (tarāpuka), who are quicker eaters than the kakī. But luckily for the black stilts on Saturday, the gulls were keeping a respectful distance, further off at the mouth of the braided river, which empties into Lake Pukaki. Supplementary feeding will gradually be reduced to encourage the kakī to find their own food, mostly a natural diet of invertebrates with the occasional small fish thrown in. The six-week period is crucial and the Doc team will take it in turns to monitor the progress of the birds, come rain or shine, in their shelter. Mt Gerald Station provided both accommodation and access at the release site. ‘New this year’ This year’s cohort were also sporting some new gear which might make the others envious, a sort of “bird backpack” with a transmitter which will relay information to the Doc team. “It’s new this year,” said Ms Brown. The trial would give the team information “about what happens after we release”, on bird movements, and potentially would let them know if a bird has died, hopefully allowing them to get there quick enough to find out why. ‘They’ve all got personal tastes’ The birds are “all unique”. This is also reflected in the nests they build. Some nest in farmland, some make more elaborate nests, while others who are less houseproud are quite happy with a bit of gravel in the braided river, and some eggs are even found at tarns. “They’ve all got personal tastes.” There is no rest for the wicked, or the good, in the case of the dedicated rangers. With the aviaries “now mostly empty, we can begin preparing for the next cohort of young kakī”, said Ms Brown. The efforts of rangers, landowners, volunteers, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, Alliance Group and the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital were praised by Doc. Dunedin Wildlife Hospital general manager Suzanne Stephenson called the releases a “massive achievement” which followed “a lot of mahi [effort] from a lot of dedicated people”. It was a privilege for the team at the hospital to care for such “amazing birds”, she said. Fifty years ago kakī risked going the same way as the dodo. As the plucky waders picked their way around the braided river last weekend, it was hard to disagree that the birds and their survival was anything but amazing.

‘Highlight’ of the year to see endangered kakī out in the wild ‘where they belong’

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