Fiordland kakapos die

An infection that has killed three kakapo on a Fiordland island sanctuary was brought there by migratory sea birds.

Tests on 15 sea bird carcasses found on Chalky Island showed 10 carried the deadly bacterium, erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Massey University veterinarian, Brett Gartrell, said. "We're pretty sure the sea birds are the reservoir for the infection."

However, it was not known whether the infection was normal in the sea birds and that this was the first year it had occurred.

A recovery team has been vaccinating kakapo against the infection.