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2008 a record year for taiko |
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2008 is shaping up to be a record year for the critically endangered seabird the Chatham Island taiko. Dan Palmer from DOC reports that chicks have been confirmed in 12 burrows and there is the possibility that a 13th burrow also has a chick. One of the chicks is in a "new" burrow found by Steve Sawyer and his dog Bow in December.
Last year 8 chicks were produced from known burrows, and all were translocated to the predator-fenced Sweetwater Covenant. All the 2008 chicks will also be translocated there in an attempt to start a new colony in a secure site. The record number of chicks fledged so far is 11 in 2006, so all going well 2008 could be a bumper year!  Dan with one of last year's chicks |
