Kākāpō six months on
It has been six months since kākāpō were first introduced to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. We’re learning a lot from this trial in our quest to find new, suitable habitat for kākāpō.
It has been six months since kākāpō were first introduced to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. We’re learning a lot from this trial in our quest to find new, suitable habitat for kākāpō until such time that they can safely return to their natural ranges throughout a predator-free Aotearoa New Zealand.
Health-wise, all the kākāpō at the Sanctuary are doing well. Their weights are stable, with booming condition not expected so early after translocation.
However, the manu are yet to settle into home-ranges and continue to show interest in and around the fence line. Five of the ten birds involved in the trial have breached the fence. Despite mammoth efforts to cut back trees near the 47km fence line, we suspect these expert climbers are still finding overhanging branches to depart the sanctuary – indicating that the rapid vegetation growth-rate is likely to be the biggest challenge at this site.
This challenge creates a heavy monitoring load for the ranger team. You’ll remember last year, Tautahi, Motupōhue and Manaaki were intercepted by rangers while attempting adventures outside the fence. This year, three birds have had to be retrieved already (some twice in quick succession).
The first was 15-year-old Elwin, who was spotted by a member of the public during his first New Year’s adventure. Thankfully, the 0800 DOC HOT phone number was called immediately, and Elwin was soon picked up by rangers and returned to the sanctuary. It wasn’t long, however, before rangers detected him on the outside once more. Given the quick succession of his departures, Elwin was removed from the trial.
Next, the ranger team picked up Māhutonga on neighbouring farmland shortly before fellow four-year-old Manaaki – who had first breached the fence back in October – was also retrieved from outside the safety of the fence. Both were returned to the sanctuary, but Manaaki got out again, booking himself a ticket back to a southern island alongside Elwin.
It’s challenging mahi but we remain committed to learn as much as we can at this site about kākāpō behaviour in fenced habitats. There are five birds remaining in the trial; Bunker, Ōtepoti and Taeatanga (who have all remained inside the sanctuary) and Māhutonga and Tautahi (who have each exited once).
These manu are providing crucial information that directly supports the future of their taonga species. We continue to investigate new monitoring technology while exploring methods that may encourage them to settle on the maunga and support their safety.
Many thanks for your support along this great journey!