More hihi joining the flock

10 May 2005

Another 30 hihi (stitchbird) are due to be released at Wellington’s Karori Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday 19 May 2005.

The birds will be joining the 30 hihi that were released at the Sanctuary on 17 February 2005 from Tiritiri Matangi Island, which marked the return of hihi to their natural environment on mainland New Zealand for the first time in over 120 years.

A team of people, led by Karori Wildlife Sanctuary’s conservation scientist Raewyn Empson, are currently catching the 30 birds on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

“We are delighted with how the hihi released in February have set up home in the Sanctuary. We didn’t know what to expect – they had been translocated to several islands in the past with mixed results – but they hadn’t been transferred to their natural environment on the mainland before”, says Karori Wildlife Sanctuary chief executive Nancy McIntosh-Ward.

“Right from their release in February the birds have been heard and seen regularly by our visitors, so we are extremely confident that all will go well with this next release of 30 hihi”.

To help celebrate the second release of hihi and to tie into Karori Wildlife Sanctuary’s 10th birthday celebrations the Sanctuary are giving the opportunity for 10 people in the Wellington community to be part of the release event on Thursday 19 May 2005.

To enter the draw simply answer this question – What birthday is the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Trust celebrating this year? Please email your answer and contact details to hihi@sanctuary.org.nz or call 04 920 9200 by Monday 16 May 2005.

ENDS

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