Sydney, Aug 19 (Inditop.com) Scientists surveying Chatham Islands, housing endangered pigeons, were pleasantly surprised to discover that the birds had recovered from the brink of extinction.
The numbers of parea, a species of endangered pigeons, had gone up to 500 from a low of 40 in the late ’80s, thanks to protection of their habitat through fencing, predator control and covenanting has reversed the decline of parea.
The positive survey results could see its threat status being lowered when it is next assessed, Department of Conservation (DoC) scientific officer Ralph Powlesland said.
“The speed of recovery has been impressive. While parea will still need active protection, we’re feeling a lot more positive about their long-term security,” said Powlesland.
He undertook the survey with DoC Wellington Hawke’s Bay Conservancy technical support officer Lynn Adams and other New Zealand-based fauna experts Ian Flux and Peter Dilks, supported by the Chathams area office.
“Habitat has been improved by the active management of browsers and predators and it’s still improving,” he added.
Mainly confined to broadleaf forests of southern Chatham Island, parea are surveyed every five years to gauge the success of management, said a DoC release.
The surveys are undertaken during the breeding season, when the birds sit in prominent locations and undertake dramatic, and highly visible, display flights. The scientists sit on hilltop vantage points to count them and estimate the number of breeding territories.
“We were ecstatic when we returned to survey the birds last week to find such a huge increase in their population,” said Adams.
