First Kokako chicks born to newly translocated population in Central New Zealand

27/02/2010 23:03:19 February 2010. The first kokako chicks to hatch in the Whirinaki Forest in 100 years have just left the nest and are finding their feet in their new home. Twenty kokako were transferred from New Zealand's Te Urewera National Park to Whirinaki Forest Park in 2009.

Department of Conservation threatened species ranger Sarah King said "It is always a risk attempting to start new populations. However four pairs have already set up territories within the park and three of these are nesting - this is a very positive start."

Intensive pest control
Within the Whirinaki is a 1000ha core area of intensive pest control that has been in place since 2003, during this time the bird life in this area has increased beyond expectations, kaka, kakariki, robins, whiteheads, bellbirds and tui are all being protected. The forest is being restored by taking out the introduced pests and it is due to this success that kokako could be returned.

Kokako numbers up from 1400 to 1700
Over the past few years kokako numbers have risen from 1400 to over 1700 due to several populations throughout the North Island being protected by intensive control of their main predators; rats, possums and stoats, all of which predate on the birds and their eggs.

Ms King said "Now that populations are increasing it is possible to take some of these birds and start to re-populate areas where kokako used to sing. They are not yet out of the woods but they have a much better chance of survival now that so many are being protected from predation."