Black stilt population boosted by 91

The number of endangered black stilts in the Mackenzie Basin is set for a huge boost, because of the release of more than 90 birds in Pukaki and Tekapo.

A total of 91 birds raised at the Department of Conservation Captive Breeding Centre in Twizel and the Isaacs Wildlife Trust in Christchurch were released at two separate sites on Tuesday and Thursday.

Doc biodiversity manager Dean Nelson said the releases were further good news following last summer's breeding programme, in which there were a record 23 breeding pairs in the Mackenzie.

Not all of the 171 eggs brought to the breeding centre hatched but the ''91 birds that have made it this far are going to massively increase the wild population''.

Children from Haldon, Twizel Area and Aoraki/Mount Cook Schools had attended the releases.

Mr Nelson said 31 juvenile birds had been released near Tekapo township earlier this year.

Black stilt numbers, which fell to a record low of just 23 birds in 1981, had fluctuated over the years because of increasing predator numbers.

andrew.ashton@odt.co.nz

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