NZ Nature Fund seeks donations to help save our Southern Dotterel
The Southern NZ Dotterel is one of the closest birds on the planet to extinction. There is estimated to be just 101 individual birds as of April 2024— representing a 19% decline since 2023.
Rakiura is the last refuge for these birds, but it is still not safe. Feral cats frequently predate on adult birds and their chicks. White-tail deer and rats have also been observed scavenging dotterel eggs.
New Zealand Nature Fund has committed to raising $400,000 to help save the Southern New Zealand Dotterel. Donations will be used to cut more tracks in and around the bird’s breeding areas; build bivvies so the DOC team can stay longer in the remote alpine area and to increase satellite tracking of the birds.
Supporting this cause will aid desperate pest control efforts in remote dotterel breeding habitats, helping to protect the birds when they are most vulnerable. Additionally, it will help fund monitoring and research of the species.
A recent contribution of $20,000 from Southland Forest & Bird, has meant funds raised to date stand at over $100,000, which is a great start in just a few months. If you would like to help with a donation go to https://nznaturefund.org/projects/southern-dotterel-tuturiwhatu/. Check out the excellent video there with Invercargill’s Daniel Cocker, now a DOC Ranger working with the Southern Dotterel.
Posted on: Wednesday, 29 May 2024
