In 2003 the kiwi living within the Okarito sanctuary were discovered to be a new species and given the name rowi. With a population of only about 250 mature birds, they are one of New Zealand's most threatened species and ranked by the Department of Conservation as 'nationally critical'.

The stoat trapping operation in this sanctuary is thought to be the largest in the world.  It uses 1,500 tunnels containing one or two traps laid in a pattern across 11,000-hectares of core kiwi habitat, and includes a buffer strip on three sides.