Wekas for Karangahake
THE KARANGAHAKE gorge may ring again with the call of the North Island weka, gone from the area for 70 years. The Department of Conservation has given permission for Forest and Bird to release weka from the society’s captive breeding programme on the outskirts of the Karangahake community, near the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park. The long-term programme is a collaboration between DoC and Forest and Bird with sponsorship from Trilogy Business Systems. Karangahake was chosen for the release because of the variety of natural habitat and
food it offers, and because of the support of the local community. Guns and dogs have probably contributed to weka decline, so friendly residents are essential to the success of the release. Weka may benefit from contact with people, particularly when food is scarce, as the birds forage in compost heaps and accept hand-outs. This winter, aviaries have been built to house the young weka from the breeding programme before they are released. The aviaries will be on the property of Forest and Bird breeders Gary and Elaine Staples.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/FORBI19920801.2.9.8
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Forest and Bird, Issue 265, 1 August 1992, Page 11
Word count
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178Wekas for Karangahake Forest and Bird, Issue 265, 1 August 1992, Page 11
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