The smallest known variety of the kiwi bird, believed to be extinct for 50 years, has been found alive in New Zealand. This exciting discovery was announced by the country`s Department of Conservation (DOC), following reports from local radio station RNZ.
The species, known as the Pukupuku kiwi or little spotted kiwi, had not been sighted within the country since 1978. It was rediscovered by DOC ranger Iain Graham in a secluded conservation zone located on the West Coast of the South Island.
«I heard kiwi calls on the very first night… and immediately knew they were different from other species,» Graham was quoted as saying. He elaborated that the search for the bird extended over several days, likening the experience to a `rollercoaster`. Following the successful identification, the ranger collected several feathers for scientific analysis.
Image: Pukupuku kiwi, or little spotted kiwi.
According to the Department of Conservation, the Pukupuku species is particularly vulnerable to predators and can only thrive effectively within protected, fenced enclosures. While approximately two thousand of these birds currently exist in the wild, their numbers are gradually increasing thanks to dedicated conservation efforts aimed at preserving this unique species.
