The NZ Department of Conservation black stilt (kaki) captive breeding centre under the high voltage wires of a hydro scheme.
The black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) sanctuary established by the New Zealand Department of conservation to breed this endangered species under the high tension wires from the hydro scheme which contributed to the decline of the power company assists with funding the centre. There are currently ( 2009) approximately 90 black stilt in captivity and in the wild, after numbers were down to 23 birds in 1981. Changes in the environment through hydro dams changing the braided rivers and introduced predators are the main reasons for their decline. Thier nest are also easily damaged by people and vehicles using the river bed as the nests are just a hollow scooped in the ground among the stones. Great effort is being made by the Department of Conservation to rescue the species from extinction, by captive breeding. The public are able to see the birds in aviaries and from a hide. The sanctuary is surrounded by an electric predator proof fence and has a back up trapping programme.
Size: 5022px × 3361px
Location: South Canterbury New Zealand
Photo credit: © Karel Lorier / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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