The endangered New Zealand shore plover numbers have increased in Hawke's Bay. Photo / Supplied
The endangered New Zealand shore plover numbers have increased in Hawke's Bay. Photo / Supplied
A rare New Zealand bird has received a boost in Hawke's Bay, after a single rat is believed to have ravaged population numbers.
The dwindling population of the endangered New Zealand shore plover in northern Hawke's Bay saw a surge in numbers last Friday, with the release of 20 juvenilebirds on to Waikawa - also known as Portland Island.
Department of Conservation (DoC) ranger Helen Jonas said the privately-owned island located off the Mahia Peninsula used to be home to 80 shore plover but a "devastating season" in 2013 saw their numbers reduced to just 10 birds.
"All the evidence pointed to a single rat as the cause, and the rat is now believed to have since died."
As a precaution, DoC staff removed 12 shore plover eggs from the island for incubation elsewhere and stepped up its monitoring of the remaining birds on the island.
The island was now deemed to be safe for the species again, with the release of 20 juveniles that were raised at Pukaha Mount Bruce Wildlife Centre in the Wairarapa and Isaac Construction Wildlife Centre in Christchurch.
