Plea made to not crash kiwi creche

The public has been asked to stay away from Adele Island, which has been turned into a kiwi creche during the past two years.

The Paparoa Wildlife Trust currently has seven chicks on the pest-free island within Abel Tasman National Park and will release them back into Paparoa Wildlife Park once they reach a weight of 1200 grams, when they are better able to protect themselves from predators such as stoats.

Motueka Department of Conservation officer Chris Golding said the department was trying to keep the release of the kiwi chicks on the island low key.

"We are strongly appealing to people to help keep the island as safe as it can be for the young kiwi," he said.

People visiting the island posed a biosecurity risk, and he urged any visitors to check their boats, kayaks, bags, containers and gear before going onto it to ensure they were free of mice, rats or other pests.

Clothing, footwear and gear should also be checked for soil and plant material, including seeds and foliage.

Paparoa Wildlife Trust co-ordinator Jo Tilson said even if people wanted to see kiwi on the island, they wouldn't be able to find them. "It's a big island and it's pretty scrubby, and we have a hard enough time finding them with dogs and transmitter equipment, so it's really unlikely."

Mr Golding said kiwi were nocturnal and the chicks wouldn't be readily seen even at night-time.

"People won't hear them calling either, as at this young age they are still developing the ability to call."

The kiwi conservation effort is just one of many initiatives in the region to protect native plants and wildlife.

The theme for this year's Conservation Week is getting involved and celebrating grass-roots volunteers.

Motueka Department of Conservation community relations manager Rudy Tetteroo said people needed to take ownership of their local area and work together on the conservation of native plants and wildlife.

The Nelson Mail will mark Conservation Week with a daily series focusing on native plant and animal conservation efforts around the region.

CONSERVATION WEEK

Tomorrow, September 16: Golden Bay Conservation volunteers' quiz night, Takaka Bowling Club Rooms, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Phone Greg Napp, 035258026. Saturday, September 19: Welcome to the Godwits. At 2pm at the old wharf on Motueka Quay, near the wreck of the Janie Seddon, the Nelson branch of the Ornithological Society will view the birds of the Motueka Estuary, including the godwits after their long flight from Alaska. There will be a short talk about the local birds, then an opportunity to watch them feeding. Telescopes will be available for viewing. Phone Pauline Samways, 03528 7257. Saturday, September 19: Wakapuaka coastal plant restoration planting with sausage sizzle to follow, 9.30am to 12.30pm, Wakapuaka Bark Dump, Boulder Bank Drive. Phone Rudy Tetteroo, 035281810. Sunday, September 20: Totara walk and talk, Takaka, main road end of Totara Ave (near Pakawau), 11am. Dr Philip Simpson, recipient of the Loder Cup and twice winner of Montana Book Awards, will discuss totara. Phone Jo Anne Vaughan, 035248072, or Jenny Treloar, 035257900. For more information, see conservationweek.org.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News