DOC's work with Chatham Island tāiko
Tāiko telemetry station and researchers
The control of predators in taiko breeding areas is critical and each year DOC undertakes major cat and rat control programmes in the Tuku Nature Reserve.
Taiko burrows are monitored throughout the season to ensure the chicks survival.
A predator-proof fence has been built around a small area of covenanted land by the Taiko Trust and taiko chicks are being translocated to this site in an effort to create a new colony in this secure site. A sound system playing taiko calls has demonstrated its effectiveness by luring at least one adult taiko to the site to inspect artificial burrows.
Ground searches for new taiko burrows are carried out each year and in some years a major effort using spotlighting and telemetry is used to identify new sites.
Contacts
Phone 0800 DOC HOTline (0800 362 468) 24 hour emergency number to report:
Sick or injured wildlife
Whale or dolphin strandings