New NZ wildlife centre for rare kiwi
13 Oct 2010
A new wildlife centre that offers the best chance to see New Zealand’s rarest rowi kiwi will open at Franz Josef, on the West Coast of the South Island next month.
The NZ$4.5m venture has been developed by the same company that owns and operates the successful International Antarctic Centre near Christchurch airport.
The new West Coast Wildlife Centre has been developed in partnership with the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC), and will also serve as an official breeding facility for the rare birds.
Franz Josef rowi
Rowi - also known as the Okarito brown kiwi - are only found in the Franz Josef area and with fewer than 400 birds left in the wild, are the world’s rarest kiwi.
Although rowi kiwi are bred at other New Zealand wildlife centres, the new West Coast Wildlife Centre will be the official home to the species’ breeding and incubation programme and the only place the public will be able to view the birds in their natural surroundings.
A natural forest walkthrough and viewing area within the indoor centre will provide visitors with an easy, all-weather option to view kiwi and still experience the New Zealand bush.
Interactive activities
A behind-the-scenes tour will offer the chance to see kiwi close up, and young adults will be able to experience "hands on" interactive activities.
The centre will also show wildlife films produced by Natural History NZ and a feature ‘Glacier attraction & Wild West Coast’ story-telling area - all giving an insight into what can be done to help preserve and protect New Zealand’s precious native wildlife living on the West Coast.
The centre, which opens on 6 November, will also include a café and bakery opening at 7.30am daily, offering early birds the chance to enjoy coffee and fresh baking or use free wireless internet and relax in front of the large fire.
All-weather activity
Centre staff members say they’ll be catering for clients needing an all-weather indoor activity in Franz Josef and are wanting to see New Zealand’s rarest kiwi in a close-up and natural environment.
They say the new facility is perfect for people who may need something new to add into their programme and are interested in natural and interactive experiences without having time to explore the bush.
Background: Rowi kiwi
The rowi - also known as the Okarito brown kiwi - is New Zealand’s most endangered kiwi population.
While the only known remaining population of less than 400 birds lives within the 11,000-hectare Okarito forest, the species was once abundant and widespread over much of the South Island’s West Coast region, and in the southern North Island.
Rowi chicks are vulnerable to introduced predators such as stoats which kill birds and eat their eggs.
Rowi kiwi can live for up to 100 years. The female lays a large egg that can be equal to up to 20% of body weight.
Only identified as an individual species in 1994, rowi differ from other kiwi in several ways. They are grey with white patches on their heads, and their feathers are softer than the coarse feathers of other kiwi species.
More information
Bird Conservation in New Zealand
New Zealand bird sanctuaries
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