NZ Shore Plover/tūturuatu came into captivity in the form of wild eggs off the Chatham Islands in 1991. However, it was not until 1993 that wild eggs were hatched and chicks successfully raised to commence the recovery programme for NZ Shore Plover.
Due to unforeseen circumstances there has not been a wild genetic injection to the captive population since that time. This has resulted in the captive population approaching a dire state of inbreeding if they don’t receive new stock (genes) soon.
Last year discussions started between DOC, Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust and the Hokotehi Moriori Trust, to allow another wild egg collection to boost the captive population.
Our Assistant Manager Leigh Percasky, who has experience in collecting wild eggs plus transporting the eggs in incubators, joined the DOC team on the Chatham’s to locate nests and collect 21 eggs (7 clutches of 3 eggs each) during November.
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