KIWIS PLENTIFUL IN NORTH ISLAND

Southland Times, Issue 24184, 22 July 1940, Page 6

KIWIS PLENTIFUL IN NORTH ISLAND

DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE (Special to The Times) WELLINGTON, July 20. Far from being in danger of extinction, kiwis are still plentiful in certain districts, it was stated at a meeting of the Wellington Acclimatization Society’s council. However, attempts to capture a number of the North Island striped variety for release on Kapiti Island bird sanctuary had proved unsuccessful. It had been previously decided to place the birds on Kapiti to preserve the species in case it became extinct on the mainland. Permission had been received for the society’s ranger to obtain 10 pairs for the purpose. The chairman, Mr D. J. Gibbs, said that when the proposal originated, it was understood the birds would be supplied by a Waverley man. However, none had been secured and the society had been asked to send its ranger to help capture some. The ranger made two trips, but was unsuccessful. The secretary, Mr E. J. C. Wiffin, said that there was no danger of the birds becoming extinct, from what he had seen of them along the Milford Track. Another member said they were apparently plentiful in Taranaki. It j was stated that kiwis were already established on Kapiti. They were i typical North Island kiwis of a good breed.