|
 |
Weka from the Chatham Islands
Date: 23 February 2006
Buff Weka from the Chatham Islands
The weka is a large, brown flightless bird with a famously curious personality. Although somewhat shy, contact with, and proximity to human habitation results in a number of opportunistic behaviours from the bird. They will quite happily remove small items and pinch foodstuffs. The New Zealand Conservation Trust in partnership with Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is welcoming a new addition to their captive breeding programmes this week. We see the arrival of 14 Buff Weka ( Gallirallus australis v. hectori ) to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. These birds were captured on the Chatham Islands by a group of volunteers and staff and will form the basis of a breeding group for the New Zealand Conservation Trust. The Trust’s aim with these birds is to undertake a captive breeding program with the goal of eventually releasing the birds and repopulating areas of Canterbury.
The Buff Weka has been extinct in this region since the 1930’s so this program is a major step in conservation efforts for the Canterbury region. The Buff Weka was introduced to the Chatham Islands from Cin 1905 and 100 years later we will see the return of them to their natural area of habitation.
The weka is a large, brown flightless bird with a famously curious personality. Although somewhat shy, contact with, and proximity to human habitation results in a number of opportunistic behaviours from the bird. They will quite happily remove small items and pinch foodstuffs.
|
|
|
 |
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Restaurant
60 Hussey Road, Christchurch
New Zealand
Phone: +64 3 359 6226
Fax: +64 3 359 6212
Email: info@willowbank.co.nz
|
|
