Threats to Chatham petrel/ranguru
Broad-billed prion
The loss of forest habitat on Chatham and Pitt islands, along with the introduction of mammalian predators such as cats, rats and pigs lead to Chatham petrels being confined to predator-free Rangatira Island by around 1900.
Farming ceased on Rangatira in the early 1950's and despite considerable recovery of the forest, it was found that Chatham petrel numbers were declining, with only 30 breeding pairs known in the 1980's.
It was discovered that competition from broad-billed prions was causing most Chatham petrel breeding efforts to fail and efforts have been made to protect burrows and chicks from prion interference. Hundreds of thousands of broad-billed prions breed on Rangatira.
Contacts
Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) 24 hour emergency number to report:
Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings