Here is a recently posted newsletter from Tony Pullar on recent activities with the Captie SI kaka population
South Island Kaka Update:
Hi All, just a quick update with happenings in the captive South Island Kaka population. Birds have been moved around the Island of late essentially to establish new breeding pairs and enhance the public display opportunities. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve are the latest institution to receive a pair of kaka which now sees two pairs held in Canterbury the other being at Isaac Wildlife Trust. Orokonui Eco-sanctuary currently have 8 birds in captivity in their Forest aviary but the exciting news is that 6 of those 8 are about to be liberated into the sanctuary. This probably heralds the first ever release of captive breed South Island kaka and will hopefully be the beginning of many more. The release itself will be a low key affair more so to protect the birds at release time and to elevate the chances of the birds feeling comfortable around their release aviary without crowds and camera’s. When we have the birds settled into the sanctuary forest we will celebrate this momentous occasion far more publicly. The release birds are made up of offspring from two breeding pairs.
The Orokonui kaka aviary is divided into two sections, to the left is accommodation for one pair and to the right is the holding/release aviary. The release birds have been trained to eat food from weather proof feeders and these will be located at several other locations within the sanctuary but away from the aviary. The release aviary will remain open to allow birds to return if they wish. The release of kaka has only been made possible by the generous support of kaka holders both in time and resources especially Dunedin Botanic Gardens and Invercargill’s Queens Park Aviaries. All of the release birds were reared at these two institutions. Prior to the Orokonui release the captive population stands at 14.12.0 (26) and these birds are housed with 7 different holders. Genetically this population is closely related and in time we will need to look at introducing unrelated birds but in the meantime it is full steam ahead with all established pairs to provide release stock for Orokonui and any other future release sites. Loss and mortality is a possibility upon release but we are fitting transmitters to all release birds so we can at least monitor the bird’s movements. I will give you all an update over the next months but in the meantime thank you one and all and I look forward to hearing of any breeding activities from your birds.
Regards
Tony Pullar
Email; tpullar@es.co.nz
PH 03 4738 740 or 027 662 7356
