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Chatham petrels are to soon to make a return to Chatham Island thanks to the Taiko Trust and the Department of Conservation. Once widespread and numerous on the Chatham Islands, for the last 100 years or so the Chatham petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) has been restricted to Rangatira (South East) Island where a population of around 1,000 birds persisted.
200 chicks are due to be translocated from Rangatira Island to The Sweetwater Conservation Covenant in the south of Chatham Island over the next three years with the first group of 70 due to be transferred in April this year.
The population has been growing over recent years as burrow management by DOC staff on Rangatira has reduced burrow competition by broad-billed prions and increased the number of chicks fledged. A second population has now successfuly been established in the Ellen Elizabeth Preece Conservation Covenant on adjacent Pitt Island through the translocation of chicks and has now reached six breeding pairs.
The transfer to Sweetwater has been made possible by the landowners, Liz and Bruce Tuanui, and the Taiko Trust who have predator-proof fenced the area wth the aim of restoring seabirds to the site. 80 petrel nest boxes, some made by Chatham Island school children, have also been installed at the site.
 Te One school children with petrel next boxes - Image: Antje Leseberg All going well the petrels should arrive at their new home on April 21st where they will be monitored and fed until they fledge 2-3 weeks later. With luck first breeding at the site could occur as early as 2010.
 Sweetwater Conservation Covenant |
Conservation News 
