Successful transfer of black stilts

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 3

Successful transfer of black stilts

Although fraught with difficulties, the transfer of seven black stilt eggs from the North Island to the Mackenzie Country has ended in success, according to the Wildlife Service.

The eggs have been accepted by two pairs of black stilts, the rarest wading birds in the world.

Three of the eggs have hatched in one nest on a windswept riverbank, and the others are due to hatch soon.

“It looks like a 100 per cent success,” said Mr lan Bryant yesterday from the Mount Bruce Bird Reserve near Masterton, where the eggs were produced. A persistent fault in a special portable incubator meant that wildlife officers were racing against time to get the seven eggs to the Mackenzie Country before they hatched. In the meantime, the parent birds had to be fooled by ceramic eggs, made by Temuka Pottery to a pattern whittled from wood by a West Coast bushman.

Mr Bryant said it was hoped to transfer a few more eggs in the next two weeks.

Figures show that the Wildlife Service is succeeding in its campaign to save the black stilt from extinction.

Two years ago there were only seven pairs in the Mackenzie Country, the only remaining breeding ground of the black stilt.

Twelve pairs were counted last year, plus some extra male birds, and about 16 pairs are expected this year.

The Mackenzie Country is the only natural breeding ground of the black stilt in the world. The seven eggs flown there were laid by birds in captivity at Mount Bruce.