emirates7 - A rare kiwi species has been discovered in the wild on New Zealand's mainland for the first time in half a century, according to the country’s conservation authority.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) stated that the kiwi pukupuku—also known as the little spotted kiwi and the smallest of all kiwi species—was previously believed to exist only on offshore islands and within predator-free enclosures.
However, a DOC-contracted hunter recently encountered the bird in a remote area on the West Coast of the South Island. Tiny feathers were collected to confirm its identity as a kiwi pukupuku.
Emily King, leader of the Kiwi Recovery Group, described the find as nearly miraculous. “The last confirmed sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of focused efforts to locate them, we had no success—until now,” she said.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) stated that the kiwi pukupuku—also known as the little spotted kiwi and the smallest of all kiwi species—was previously believed to exist only on offshore islands and within predator-free enclosures.
However, a DOC-contracted hunter recently encountered the bird in a remote area on the West Coast of the South Island. Tiny feathers were collected to confirm its identity as a kiwi pukupuku.
Emily King, leader of the Kiwi Recovery Group, described the find as nearly miraculous. “The last confirmed sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of focused efforts to locate them, we had no success—until now,” she said.