WELLINGTON: A rare species of kiwi bird, known as the kiwi pukupuku or little spotted kiwi, has been discovered on mainland New Zealand for the first time in five decades, according to the country’s Department of Conservation (DOC).
Previously believed to inhabit only offshore islands and predator-free sanctuaries, the tiny bird was unexpectedly found in a remote area of the South Island’s West Coast. A DOC-contracted hunter came across the elusive bird and collected a few small feathers, which later confirmed its identity as a kiwi pukupuku.
This remarkable find has thrilled conservationists. Emily King, leader of the Kiwi Recovery Group, described the sighting as nearly miraculous. “The last known sighting of a kiwi pukupuku on the mainland was in 1978. Despite years of targeted searching, we hadn’t found them—until now,” she stated.
The kiwi pukupuku is the smallest of the five kiwi species, and its population has been under serious threat due to habitat loss and introduced predators. Its return to the mainland suggests possible unknown breeding populations and gives hope for the species’ natural recovery.
Conservationists plan to conduct further surveys in the area to determine if more birds exist and assess the feasibility of long-term conservation efforts to protect the species in its newly discovered habitat.
