Each year, the Trust breeds hundreds of birds in its aviaries for release into the wild. This nationally significant contribution to conservation reduces the risk of extinction and drives species recovery.
The Trust manages these endangered species:
- Kākāriki karaka / orange-fronted parakeet – Nationally Critical
- Tūturuatu / NZ shore plover – Nationally Critical
- Kakī / black stilt – Nationally Critical
- Whio / blue duck – Nationally Vulnerable
- Pāteke / brown teal – At risk - Recovering
Image gallery
A conservation legacy lives on
The Trust continues the conservation legacy of Sir Neil and Lady Isaac (founders of Isaac Construction). From Peacock Springs, a purpose-built 85 ha restored quarry in Christchurch which provides expertise and resources for captive breeding and rearing facilities.
The Trust’s team has pioneered successful techniques such as whio ‘flock mating’ and refined methods for incubating and raising kākāriki karaka. Their expertise is invaluable and has made real contributions to captive breeding.
Boosting wild populations
Without the Trust’s work, kākāriki karaka would be extinct in the wild. Instead, there are several stable populations – including one at the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary in Nelson, where 120 birds raised by the Trust were released.
The Trust is also central to tūturuatu recovery, developing husbandry and breeding techniques that allow new populations to be established and recover from disaster.
Peacock Springs plays a vital role in raising kakī chicks, increasing capacity alongside DOC’s Twizel facility. Thanks to this work, people can still see kakī on the braided rivers of Te Manahuna / the Mackenzie Basin, and every captive-bred pāteke and South Island whio at Peacock Springs learns survival skills before release.
To find out more, visit the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust website.
Interested in partnering with DOC?
Let’s work together to help protect what makes Aotearoa New Zealand unique.