New home for Weka birds at Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park

New home for Weka birds at Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park

The birds at The Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park said hello to two new friends on Tuesday as they welcomed a 3 ½ month old male and female buff weka.

The duo from Canterbury are the first weka at the park in 5 years. Watchers crowded around as the pair were released into their new enclosure, wasting no time rummaging around the native bush and exploring their new environment.

The weka is a brown flightless bird about the size of a chicken and endemic to New Zealand. They are known for having a feisty and curious personality. The Department of Conservation approved the weka recovery plan in 1999, following the decline of weka populations on mainland New Zealand.

The buff weka population has thrived on Chatham and Piit islands, following their introduction in 1905.

Kiwi Birdlife Park wildlife manager Nicole Kunzmann said the pair could breed because they were unrelated and that was the aim for the near future. "Hopefully, next spring we will have the little pitter-patter of baby weka feet."

The male weighed 1.3 kilograms and had proved to be very feisty while the female was more relaxed at 630 grams, she said.

Their spacious new enclosure was sponsored by Crowne Plaza Queenstown, which will name the birds.

"With the sponsorship, we've been able to tidy up the enclosure and get the birds down here," Miss Kunzmann said.

Head keeper Paul Kavanagh said the birds were settling in well.

About Kiwi Birdlife Park
In 1986 a local Queenstown family, the Wilson’s, established the Kiwi Birdlife Park and the family are still independently running the Park today. In the early 1980’s the Park was a Queenstown refuse centre. The Wilson’s spent two years transforming it into a beautifully naturally landscaped Park filled with a variety of endangered native birds and plants. Almost 25 years later it boasts mature established native trees and wildlife. http://www.kiwibird.co.nz

About Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Crowne Plaza® is The Place to Meet in Queenstown. Whether you’re on holiday, holding a conference, board meeting or informal get-together, your comfort and enjoyment are paramount. Crowne Plaza Queenstown is a resort hotel offering contemporary and stylish, accommodation in an outstanding in-town location. The iconic hotel was recently awarded 4.5 stars in its latest Qualmark assessment. Assessors noted its premium accommodation, quality amenities, exceptional staff and world class facilities. Services include valet car parking, business centre, ski drying room, 24-hr room service and purpose built Leisure Concierge/Tour desk. Each hotel room has a private balcony offering views of the lake, the mountains or a private courtyard – accommodation that captures the essence of its beautiful surroundings. This superb hotel sets the standard for comfort in accommodation in a unique destination, truly making it The Place to Meet in Queenstown.
www.crowneplazaqueenstown.co.nz

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