Over 200 wild kiwi ‘thriving’ in Remutaka Forest Park
The wild kiwi population on the outskirts of Wainuiomata has grown from eight released in 2006 to more than 200 yesterday.
A trap replacement project is taking place in the Remutaka Forest Park to ensure wild kiwi living in the area can continue to thrive.
There are an estimated 40 breeding pairs among the kiwi now living in the Remutaka Forest Park, a Remutaka Conservation Trust spokesperson said.
After the trial group of eight North Island brown kiwi were introduced in 2006, a further 20 birds were released three years later.
The success was the result of more than two decades of pest control efforts in the area, they said.
The first traps were deployed in 2003 and continued to be maintained by a team of over 150 volunteers.
But they required updating and the trust, supported by DOC, would be replacing predator traps across its 7500-hectare pest control network in southern Remutaka Forest. The project would take over three years, starting this year.
DOC Kapiti-Wellington district office was supporting the trust by providing helicopter transport of the traps to key locations. Individual traps would then be carried to their new locations, with the older traps being helicoptered out the following year.
Trust volunteer Ingrid Greenslade said it was grateful for DOC’s continued support.
“There have been many kilometres travelled over the last 20 years to service the traps and ensure the kiwi population continues to grow,” Greenslade said.
“The estimated population is now over 200 birds, which is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved.”