Rare young Kiwi chicks released into wild

Male kiwi chick, Tuatahi (Maori for first) was accidentally stood on by his dad when his egg was being retrieved from the nest. The cracked egg was taped up to enable this chick to hatch normally.

Rotoroa Island in the Haurakai Gulf will be the new home of three rare young Kiwi chicks.

The three male kiwi named Tuatahi (first), Atarangi (shadow) and Ngawari (good-natured or easy), will be released on the island today with more chicks to be released next month.

The young birds were hatched at Auckland Zoo from eggs collected from Te Mata in the Coromandel, are today being released onto the 83ha island.

Auckland Zoo said the introduction of kiwi marked the start of a new programme between Rotoroa Island Trust (RIT), Auckland Zoo and Thames Coast Kiwi Care (TCKC).

The zoo said the partnership would boost the population of Coromandel North Island brown kiwi, the rarest of the four types of brown kiwi.

Up to 20 chicks could be released onto Rotoroa each year. On reaching 1.2kg ? large enough to have a chance against introduced predators on the mainland, the birds would be returned to a 2500ha protected area on the Thames coast cared.

The programme was also providing a number of chicks for release onto Hauraki Gulf's Motutapu Island.

"It's wonderful to be celebrating this milestone of providing a place for our national bird to thrive," said Barrie Brown, Rotoroa Island Trust chairman.

"A key part of this Rotoroa project is our schools programme ? giving young Kiwi children practical opportunities to grow their love and ability to care for wildlife and the environment. It feels appropriate that their feathered namesake is among species we'll manage here, and will play a part in inspiring these future conservationists," he said.

Zoo director Jonathan Wilcken said the partnership with TCKC to grow the population of the rare, genetically distinct kiwi highlighted the value of sharing skills and resources.

The zoo said it was possible that fewer than 50 Coromandel brown kiwi remain in the land TCKC protects, out of a total Coromandel population of 1500.

"We have 35 dedicated trappers as well as back-up trappers and small stocks of back-up equipment. What we haven't had until now, is a back-up for the kiwi themselves," said Richard Moyle, TCKC chairman. "If they were ever to go, they'd be likely gone for good. This new partnership is fantastic and gives us the back-up we need..."

The zoo said Iwi groups from the Tapu/Te Mata area of the Coromandel and Rotoroa Island have also offered their support for the programme.

The Salvation Army originally owned nearby Pakatoa Island, but also bought Rotoroa in 1908 to cope with increased demand for rehabilitation services.

Rotoroa Island was used by male patients and Pakatoa Island by female patients.