[kiwi33]

Kiwi (the birds, not me) are endangered in NZ.

This one is an example of how people are trying to help them;
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[Lara]

Yay!

Well done Auckland Zoo. Great to read that story, Kiwi. Thanks.
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[Lara]

You know I've never seen one at all. I wonder about their evolution and how long ago they may have flown. I was just reading a wiki on flightless birds and New Zealand has more than any other country. No snakes in NZ (or is that a myth?). I guess that helps.


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Edited later to add: I followed a link on the wiki page to


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It's an amazing site. If you have realplayer you can listen to bird sounds as well. I don't have that but I learned a lot.

[mrsD]

The Kiwi is featured on a TV series called "Mutant Planet" on our science channels.


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Yes it is quite the unique creature!

[Hockey]

I had no idea that the Kiwi was endangered in New Zealand. It would be like the beaver, our national symbol, being endangered in Canada.

What factors have imperiled the Kiwi?

[kiwi33]

Lara, thanks for those links
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Yep, NZ is snake-free.

The biggest problem (also to Hockey) is the introduced pests (feral cats, weasels, stoats and ferrets). An adult Kiwi can see them off with no problems but chicks can't.

The Department of Conservation poisons them in critical areas but it is a never-ending battle.

I do my bit - I sponsor a Kiwi in a Rotorua breeding place and 1% of the money in my NZ bank account goes to a general support fund.

[dilmar]

Yes NZ is snake free, a bite from a Katipo spider is the only danger I can think of. We do have a few native reptiles but we are a bit short on mammals - only bats and marine mammals.

That information often surprises visitors here. We are a country of birds, especially flightless ones so it's heartwarming to read Kiwi's contribution to saving Kiwis.