StevieD
8th August 2007, 09:45 PM
Went to help out with the kids school on their trip to Maungatautari today. Glorious sunshine when we arrived, dressed up for the so called cold weather we were expecting, what a pleasant surprise. Stunning views of the surrounding countryside and an excellent host to guide us through the work that is going on there. Can't remember the actual figures for the size of the place but it is on their website, but suffice to say it is a huge undertaking.
http://www.maungatrust.org/home/index.asp
We were taken down in to the enclosure through the bush and we met at the bottom by the lady who "minds" the little guy that the kids wanted to see so much - Beaker the Kiwi. The kids have adopted her as the school project and are collecting money to go towards the project.
We were first shown the other inhabitants of the pen, the first pair of breeding Takahe in the north island since they were rediscovered in 1948 when they were thought to be extinct. What fabulous birds, and quite confident as they got close to the group.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0574.jpg
After some minutes, we were then told about the kiwi and how dangerously low in numbers they have become. He outlined the conservation process in place and how they are achieving quite amazing results in the area. The guide explained about the radio transmitters attached to the kiwi and how they used them to locate them and keep tabs on them. He then swung the antenna around and lo and behold, the signal appeared on his receiver. So he headed off in the general direction of the signal and arrived 2 minutes later with Beaker. The air of expectation from the kids (and the adults it has to be said) could be cut with a knife. Their joyful faces when they saw the bird were a treat. We then got treated to an hour long session of how they care for the birds. They weighed her, checked her eyes and ears, gave her a thorough check over. The kids were all allowed to stroke her and get up close.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0589.jpg
It was then that something happened that will live with me for the rest of my days. Us adults were to be allowed to hold the bird! I couldn't believe it, being this close to a national icon and getting the opportunity to hold this wonderful creature. I can admit to shaking a bit when my turn came, and there were kiwi people there who were actually moved to tears. It was an unexpected moment and one which I jumped at. I remember watching Billy Connolly on his world tour of NZ dvd holding one, and I thought how wonderful it must be to be able to do that. Now I have, and I have to say it was an incredible feeling. One of our friends commented that I had only been in the country 5 minutes and that he has never had that opportunity in his lifetime - I think there was an element of jealousy there!
So finally, here is proof of that moment when I got up close with Beaker the kiwi.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0605.jpg
Steve - :nice1
http://www.maungatrust.org/home/index.asp
We were taken down in to the enclosure through the bush and we met at the bottom by the lady who "minds" the little guy that the kids wanted to see so much - Beaker the Kiwi. The kids have adopted her as the school project and are collecting money to go towards the project.
We were first shown the other inhabitants of the pen, the first pair of breeding Takahe in the north island since they were rediscovered in 1948 when they were thought to be extinct. What fabulous birds, and quite confident as they got close to the group.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0574.jpg
After some minutes, we were then told about the kiwi and how dangerously low in numbers they have become. He outlined the conservation process in place and how they are achieving quite amazing results in the area. The guide explained about the radio transmitters attached to the kiwi and how they used them to locate them and keep tabs on them. He then swung the antenna around and lo and behold, the signal appeared on his receiver. So he headed off in the general direction of the signal and arrived 2 minutes later with Beaker. The air of expectation from the kids (and the adults it has to be said) could be cut with a knife. Their joyful faces when they saw the bird were a treat. We then got treated to an hour long session of how they care for the birds. They weighed her, checked her eyes and ears, gave her a thorough check over. The kids were all allowed to stroke her and get up close.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0589.jpg
It was then that something happened that will live with me for the rest of my days. Us adults were to be allowed to hold the bird! I couldn't believe it, being this close to a national icon and getting the opportunity to hold this wonderful creature. I can admit to shaking a bit when my turn came, and there were kiwi people there who were actually moved to tears. It was an unexpected moment and one which I jumped at. I remember watching Billy Connolly on his world tour of NZ dvd holding one, and I thought how wonderful it must be to be able to do that. Now I have, and I have to say it was an incredible feeling. One of our friends commented that I had only been in the country 5 minutes and that he has never had that opportunity in his lifetime - I think there was an element of jealousy there!
So finally, here is proof of that moment when I got up close with Beaker the kiwi.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/bluekiwi100/DSCF0605.jpg
Steve - :nice1