Research, Science & Technical

• Stoat research programme
• Kiwi first aid and veterinary care
• Research and monitoring plan for the kiwi sanctuaries
• Experimental management of Brown Kiwi Apertyx mantelli in central Northland, New Zealand
  
  

Stoat research programme

In 1999, a five-year $6.6 million stoat control research programme was initiated. It aimed to find more cost-effective and sustainable approaches to controlling stoats, which are a critical threat to many of our native wildlife. Five reports about the Stoat Research Programme are available.  They contain bibliographies which may point you to further useful information.

Ongoing research on ferrets and stoats is undertaken by Landcare Research scientists.

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Kiwi first aid and veterinary care

This report on kiwi first aid and veterinary care (PDF: 1,874KB) by Kerri J. Morgan provides information about the treatment of sick or injured kiwi for veterinarians, conservation field workers and wildlife park staff. It incorporates basic techniques to stabilise sick or injured kiwi.

You can also download a Kiwi Field Reference Card (PDF: 269KB) with instructions on what to do if you find a sick, dead or injured kiwi, or eggs that have been found abandoned eggs.

Specific diseases and common injuries that have been seen in kiwi are also addressed. Diagnostic and treatment techniques specific to each condition and, in some cases, specific to kiwi, are included.

The development of BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ as a tool in the conservation management of kiwi

This Science for Conservation report (number 259) (PDF: 144KB), was published by the Department of Conservation in 2005. It reviews the development of BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ as a tool in kiwi conservation, outlines some of the early successes and failures (up to June 2002), and identifies situations where BNZ Operation Nest Egg™ should be applied.

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Research and monitoring plan for the kiwi sanctuaries

This Science for Conservation report (number 241) (PDF: 116KB), written by Hugh Robertson, was published by the Department of Conservation in 2004. It sets out the background to a series of recommendations about research and monitoring within the five kiwi sanctuaries. Many of its principles are also applicable to other sites where kiwi are being studied or managed as part of their ecosystem.

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Experimental management of Brown Kiwi  in central Northland, New Zealand

The population growth of Brown Kiwi Apteryx mantelli was measured under four different management regimes: unmanaged, predator trapping, predator poisoning, and Bank of New Zealand Operation Nest Egg (BNZONE) — the removal of eggs for artificial incubation and return of resultant subadults to the wild.

This study has helped to develop a range of tools that are now being used to facilitate recovery of  opulations of all four threatened species of kiwi in New Zealand, and the experimental approach used has wider application in management of other threatened species. Authored by Hugh A. Robertson, Rogan M. Colbourne, Peter J. Graham, Patrick J. Miller and Raymond J. Pierce.

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