Bookies racing to save albatrosses

British bookmakers are taking a punt on big birds in a conservation bid which may help put the wind beneath the wings of albatrosses in New Zealand.

Betting giant Ladbrokes is taking bets on the annual marathon migration of an albatross species in a bizarre event dubbed the Big Bird Race.

Seventeen Tasmanian Shy Albatrosses, which migrate about 9600km every year from Tasmania to South Africa, have been tagged with electronic transmitters and punters can bet on which bird will reach its destination first.

The event is an attempt to raise international awareness of albatross species, most of which are threatened or endangered.

New Zealand is home to the world's only mainland albatross breeding colony at Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula and the increased international awareness created by the Big Bird Race has been welcomed by conservationists.

"It's an interesting idea. It certainly does highlight that these birds are making these enormous trips and some of them don't make it," Department of Conservation species manager Dave Houston said.

Every year dozens of Royal Northern Albatrosses migrated more than 11,000km from Taiaroa Head to South America before returning to breed.

The birds ran the risk of becoming snared in fishing boat long lines and were vulnerable to man-made problems such as oil spills and pollution, Mr Houston said.

Scientists already used tracking technology similar to that used in the Big Bird Race to monitor the movements of the Royal Northern Albatrosses off the New Zealand coast.

However, DoC has no plans to promote a bird race here - and nor does the TAB.

* Forest and Bird yesterday claimed New Zealand's national plan to reduce seabird deaths was failing.

- NZPA