Natureland came close to losing a breeding pair of extremely rare birds after a hole was cut in the enclosure during a break-in, releasing the birds.
A pair of kāka escaped overnight on Tuesday after someone broke into the wildlife park and cut an adult-sized hole in their enclosure.
The intruders also lifted the rabbits out of their enclosure and set them loose in the park.
Manager Ruth Seabright says thankfully the birds stayed close to their home, a place that they know and feel safe.
Keepers managed to coax them from the surrounding trees, back into their enclosure.
“Alix, our keeper who works closely with the birds, feels it demonstrates what a close bond the keepers have with the birds, the birds really know and trust the keepers and they were prepared to just come down, that’s what facilitated us being able to catch them back up,” Ruth says.
The kāka pair are part of a breed-for-release programme in partnership with Project Janszoon, and are only just reaching the age where they may start to produce chicks for release in the Abel Tasman National Park or Waimārama Brook Sanctuary.
“Had they escaped that would’ve been devastating for the entire programme,” Ruth says.
“They’re a really rare genome and a Top of the South genome genetic, there’s only seven birds with the Top of the South genetics in the project, so they’re very special.”
Ruth says the break-in has put a significant financial burden on the park, which is already struggling with the effects of Covid.
She says they had to close for the day to make repairs, which was a big loss of income, particularly in the school holidays.
“We do have insurance, but there’s an excess and there’s a lot of time and energy in terms of getting quotes.
“The other side for us is that we had to close for the day that took a significant amount of time to go round and check every animal and enclosure, to check and the hole entire perimeter fence make sure everybody was safe and sound.
“For us We are a really small conservation charity that’s been negatively impacted by Covid and to be closed for a whole day in the school holidays, that’s a real financial impact for us.”
She says nine children from the Keeper Kids holiday programme also had to be turned away.
The kāka pair that were released have been showing positive signs heading into breeding season.
So far, the wider programme has released 35 chicks into the Abel Tasman area and wild breeding has been seen in the Abel Tasman area, which is a goal of the project.
“We’ve all got our fingers and toes crossed waiting for that first egg from this pair,” Ruth says.
She says the best way to support Natureland is by visiting, donating and shopping at the New to You store in Nelson, volunteering your time, buying a calendar, or purchasing a membership for someone for Christmas.
