Rowi: on the Road to Recovery

Posted by lizzy

I’m pleased to say that the reward pledged by the Okarito and Franz Josef communities has now reached an outstanding 8600 dollars. This money has been put up to catch those responsible for last month’s spate of deliberately lit fires in Okarito Kiwi Zone. It has almost entirely been pledged by local individuals and small businesses with support from DOC and Save the Kiwi.

When I spoke to Okarito resident Richard Saunders who runs Okarito Nature Tours, he was shocked by the totally irresponsible behaviour of those who lit the fires. He told me “Whether we get the culprits or not, we feel that this commitment from the local community shows our outrage and disgust that anyone would deliberately set fire, not only to a National Park, but to an area containing our rarest kiwi species !”

Thank goodness no birds were harmed in the fires. With such a small population of rowi, the loss of even one bird would be devastating.

The reward not only highlights the value locals place on this incredible part of New Zealand, it shows the generosity of its inhabitants, many of whom have suffered significantly from these fires. Okarito is an outstanding area for biodiversity and, as such, provides a vital contribution to the local economy.

The reward will be payable for any information that will lead to the conviction of the offender. Information can be passed to the Franz Josef Police on 03 756 1070.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously on 0800 CRIMESTOPPERS (0800 555 111).

Firefighters tackle blaze. Photo: Tony Preston.

DOC firefighter at the Okarito fires. Photo: Tony Preston.