The Chatham Island tāiko is one of New Zealands rarest and most critically endangered seabirds, with just 50 breeding pairs known from their colony on Chatham Island. Considered extinct roughly 100 years ago, they were rediscovered in 1978 by David Crockett and his team. Since then, the establishment of the Chatham Island Taiko Trust has increased research and conservation efforts to protect this elusive seabird with much support from the local landowners and New Zealands Department of Conservation who help this vital work to take place. Wildlife Management International Limited (WMIL) is very proud to be working with the Trust, landowners, and project partners to help protect this special seabird. 

The MBZSCF grant will allow us to more closely monitor the breeding birds each season using a variety of specialised equipment such as trail cameras and RFID loggers, as well as try to capture, tag and track new birds from spotlighting sessions. Trackers and radio transmitters can then be used to find new burrows and breeding locations in the wider reserve in which they are found.

There is a growing requirement for more thorough monitoring that utilises automated systems such as trail cameras at nest sites and solar-powered RFID logger systems to record the comings and goings of the tāiko from their burrows. We also work to control invasive predators that can heavily impact on the breeding success of the tāiko by predating eggs, chicks and adults.