Department of Conservation (DOC) eastern South Island operations director Nicola Toki said there can be unexpected setbacks while working to save a species. “While any kākāriki karaka deaths are a tragedy, this is a small setback for the breeding programme, as those pairs that lost chicks are expected to breed again this season. “The trust’s captive programme has raised more than 500 kākāriki that have boosted the wild population. Without their efforts, we expect the birds would already be extinct in the wild.”
DOC/Supplied
A kākāriki being banded at Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust.