Minister praises protection of unique seabird

Date:  28 August 2010 Source:  Office of the Minister of Conservation

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today praised an outstanding community effort that has enabled predator-proof fencing protection for a new colony of Hutton’s shearwater – a seabird species unique to Kaikoura.

The Minister attended a celebration today at Takahanga Marae to mark the new fence established by the Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust around the Kaikoura Peninsula colony site.

With only two remaining breeding sites high on fragile Seaward Kaikoura Ranges’ mountain slopes, Hutton’s shearwater faced a precarious future, Ms Wilkinson says.

“The Department of Conservation set out to establish a third breeding colony for the endangered species and thanks to the Kaikoura Charitable Trust, land was generously made available for this on the peninsula.

“Between 2005 and 2008, around 270 Hutton’s shearwater chicks were moved to the two-hectare peninsula site. They were fed and cared for there until they fledged, with the intention they would recognise it as their home colony would return there to breed.

“To date 10 chicks are known to have returned to the peninsula site indicating this initiative will be successful. Sadly though a number were killed, mainly by cats, and it became essential to secure this colony from predators.

“Thanks to Geoff Harrow and the Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust, $220,000 was raised to build a 563m predator-proof fence around the new colony.

“This is a tremendous achievement and a lot or work has gone into this project. It’s great to see the Kaikoura community working together to achieve conservation goals.”

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