Rena update (update 113)

25 November 2011: 4.15pm

Seventeen “very happy” rare New Zealand dotterels were released back into their natural habitat yesterday (24 November) after being pre-emptively caught following the Rena grounding.

Wildlife experts released the birds at three sites along Maramarua beach east of Pukehina as part of a staged wildlife release programme that will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Wildlife Response Manager, Nicola McGrouther, said the birds were released back into the areas they had come from which have now been declared free of oil.

“Yesterday’s releases were kept low-key so we could see how the birds reacted to their re-introduction to the wild and to ensure all our systems are working well. We are really happy with how the releases went and there will be an opportunity for the public to be involved in a future release.”

Mrs McGrouther thanked local kaumatua, Huriwaka Rewa, who presided over yesterday’s dotterel releases, calling them the “children of Tangaroa” before sending them on their way with a karakia.

Dr John Dowding, a shorebird specialist who led the release, is hopeful the threatened birds will still have a chance to breed this season.

“The breeding season for New Zealand dotterels is from late August through to March. Dotterels can continue to lay eggs through to January and there are 17 very happy dotterels out there,” he said.

Dr Dowding acknowledged the fantastic job done by the Oiled Wildlife Facilty staff in caring for the dotterels in captivity, keeping them healthy and preparing them for release.

The dotterels were held individually at the Wildlife Facility at Te Maunga in purpose-built aviaries. All the dotterels held at Te Maunga have been individually tagged with coloured leg-bands prior to their release.

The public are asked to give the dotterels plenty of space when out on the beaches as they settle back into their homes.

Meanwhile, anyone finding oiled wildlife is asked to please call the Wildlife Response Team on 0800 333 771.

The numbers:

17 rare New Zealand dotterels released yesterday
60 rare New Zealand dotterels pre-emptively caught and held in the Oiled Wildlife Facilty
100 rare New Zealand dotterels in Bay of Plenty area
1,500 rare New Zealand dotterels in existence