GA4

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Don Merton devastated by threat of stoat

Long time endangered Kakapo conservationist Don Merton is said to be devastated by the news that a stoat has been seen on Anchor Island.
Ten female kakapo have been quickly moved off Anchor Island after a stoat was spotted on Good Friday.
[...]
Anchor Island (1380ha) has high ecological and conservation values, and is currently home to 86 kakapo.
[...]
Don Merton, who first became involved with protecting kakapo in 1959, was devastated to learn a stoat had been spotted.

He said staff always knew stoats could swim across to the island but they did not know how quickly stoats could establish there.
Full story at the Southland Times.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Anchor Island (1380ha) has high ecological and conservation values, and is currently home to 86 kakapo."

They got their facts wrong there I think as the entire kakapo population would not just be on one island: DOC kakapo page

Krista said...

I am learning about kakapo at school and i am horrified to think that a stoat, one of the main theats to this beautiful and rare bird was allowed to swim across the sea right under D.O.Cs noses to have a rare feast on this extra ordanary parrot.not hat i have any thing aganst DOC but i think they shoud oftaken more care in protecting the kakapo.