Can New Zealand save its birds from extinction? | 101 East Documentary

New Zealand is famous for its unique birdlife, including the iconic kiwi. But the South Pacific nation has one of the world's worst extinction rates; introduced predators kill an estimated 25 million native birds each year.
Now, an ambitious plan is in place to save the country's feathered friends. "Predator Free 2050" aims to rid the island nation of all rats, possums and other pests by 2050.
101 East travels to New Zealand to witness first-hand the extraordinary efforts being made to hunt down foreign pests and predators and restore its native birds to forests and cities.
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[@dennishuiberts1812]

I was fortunate enough to be selected for a volunteering programme run by DOC a couple of years ago, working with takahē, tūturuatu and pāteke. Not only working with these professionals was an incredible experience, but also seeing how local iwi were consulted regarding conservation efforts was amazing. Both the respect for nature and native peoples was a life lesson that I will never forget. Blessings to all the people in Aotearoa/New Zealand who are involved in the conservation of their incredible wildlife!

[@BirdBath1]

Dennis Huiberts, look at bird bath

[@spacecy]

Great work by the volunteers!

[@BirdBath1]

Tyrian2000, look at bird bath

[@JaspreetSingh-wj3lp]

Not only the knowledge this documentary has shared is splendid but the way in which it has been presented, also, worths admiration.

[@BirdBath1]

Jaspreet Singh, look at bird bath

[@allgood6760]

Great work.. I ❤️ my country 👍🇳🇿

[@BirdBath1]

All Good, look at bird bath

[@sacraaquila1890]

Brilliant to see how serious they are taking responsibility for us messing with nature!!

[@BirdBath1]

Sacra Aquila, look at bird bath

[@darylmckay]

It's so heartening to see

[@BirdBath1]

Daryl McKay, look at bird bath

[@josdouglas1035]

So to the doubters below, I respectfully ask, where in the world do you live? I run a trap line. I check it fortnightly, it takes me 3 to 4 hours. Yes its strenuous but then I am a nearly 74 yr old female. How are you looking after your environment?

[@BirdBath1]

Jos Douglas, look at bird bath

[@dubplateriddim]

The man hours are so intensive. From working on my project in the Kaimai. We need so many more people to donate thire time.

[@BirdBath1]

dubplateriddim, look at bird bath

[@AmanSingh-sm5oi]

Good video ❤

[@seanconnery1277]

Very good documentary.

[@BirdBath1]

Sean Connery, look at bird bath

[@migsyp4292]

Thank you for making people aware of this! I already had prior knowledge of these issues but I didn't realise how serious it is but it still breaks my heart that they have to kill other animals. It's not their fault, it's ours 😔. There must be a better way no?

[@el_sarkoo_games4477]

93 ) {¢¢¡°

[@BirdBath1]

Migsy P, look at bird bath

[@tipiwhenuatanirau8105]

The animals that are being eradicated are introduced invasive species . None of those animals are found in New Zealand naturally .

[@SpookyTheNightOwl]

Thank you for making this wonderful video I am going to be writing an analysis of it for my collage class!

[@lukedixon7703]

At 3:59 a saddleback starts calling, pretty sick.

[@Frank-rx8ch]

As long as there are no invasive or introduced species to Aotearoa.

[@bernhardkoster2329]

Great to see that some are starting, hopefully not too late, to keep the bird population up in NZ. One thing that stood out however was the journalist who was with the rangers looking for Kiwis. If you go looking for birds you should wear some clothing that blends in with the surrounding area or at least clothing that is toned down and not a shiny red jacket 😉

[@migsyp4292]

Am I correct in saying that before we came alone, they had no predators right? Makes them extremely docile, another reason they're easy prey but I guess that's changed since now they need to be more alert or am I wrong.

[@JoshStobart]

NZ birds don't react like other birds you might be used to. Most will stand perfectly still and not react as a defense mechanism so wearing toned down colours is more likely to surprise and panic a bird than strong tones. Some of the rarest birds have this reaction such as Pateke, Kakapo and Matuku. Curious birds include Kokako, Piwakawaka, Tui, Kaka, Kea, Weka and Robins. If you walk and make noise or disturb insects, these birds will follow and attempt to take advantage of your presence in some way. Some also respond to roughly approximate bird calls because they want to find out who the newcomer is. Tui might even take the sound and add it to their repertoire. The point is, birds here are not like other birds and you don't have to blend into the environment to see them. That's why it's a bird spotter's paradise.

[@ashdog236]

So New Zealand has no natural predators? Wow what an interesting country. How do the herbivores not overpopulate and destroy the landscape?

[@beyamoth]

Plants are evolved to be in balance with natural herbivores.

[@marshallmillar9238]

We so do have natural predators here in nz! there called falcons.

[@stephentj]

Prior to the arrival of humans there were no herbivores. Aotearoa was a land of birds and lizards. The introduced herbivores, particularly deer and the Australian bush possum are in fact a major problem and subject to control mechanisms, some of which are covered in this documentary. Without this control we will lose our forest as browsing herbivores prevent forest regeneration.

[@BirdBath1]

Look at bird bath 🐬🦋

[@brucefale6132]

Prior to humans arrival there was only one mammal that lived here and it was a bat. The only predatory animal here is the native NZ hawk.

[@touchofgrey5372]

Seems like they should pay more attention to eradicating those predators that prey on the bird population. Giving a chance for the kiwis to grow to adulthood is great, but you still have rapid population growth of the predators. Go after the predators first!

[@tcideh4929]

We are, wide scale rat baiting goes on across the country. Possums are hated and shot for fun. Main problem is peoples cats. Only pet that has full free range to eat our frickin wildlife. Should be illegal to allow your cats reign free in NZ

[@touchofgrey5372]

@@tcideh4929 Somehow I have to disagree with that! I have a cat and he brings home a mouse every night. Does not eat it! As I write this he is on the porch and chickadees are all over and around him feasting on sunflower seeds. He couldn't care less! There is some truth to what you're saying, but overall it is those rats and possums that need to be eradicated with much more determination. I would put out a bounty on rats and possums. You bring in 5 rats and you get a reward. You get a possum you get a reward. I know there is room for cheating but I think you know what I mean.

[@ashdog236]

@@tcideh4929 oh come on, pet cats don’t roam “throughout” New Zealand lol, they’re not Lions travelling across a country, they roam around the house and maybe a few houses next door. This is happening in forests isn’t it? Do you really think peoples pet cats are travelling to remote forests in the night to kill natives then walking all the way home? So sick of people demonising pet cats. Btw my family’s cat only ever brought in minor birds, a feral bird that kills off native bird species and the occasional mouse. Not native birds…

[@tcideh4929]

@@ashdog236 what are you talking about? Feral cats and pet cats are some of the biggest killers of native wildlife in NZ. Feral cats can be found in nearly ever national forest.

[@tcideh4929]

@@touchofgrey5372 and? The “my X doesnt do this” argument is terrible. Great your 1 cat doesnt do that (to your knowledge) Doesnt change the fact that cats are the only pet allowed to roam free, trespass, etc.

[@Birdaman222]

Keep it up I’m birdaman

[@BirdBath1]

Birdy, look at bird bath

[@Silvius.2]

Aotearoa New Zealand island of birds

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[@BirdBath1]

Balayet Hossainjoy, look at bird bath

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[@cosmicidentity7642]

This system that came from Europe, has misaligned populations from a natural connectedness with nature. Being the root cause of mass extinction in New Zealand. Not just of the natural wildlife, flaura and fauna, but its eradication of the original ingigenous way of being by the eradication of a significant dialectical knowledge that was in tune with a natural evolutionary process that can only come through the land itself. So, using the same system as the root support to fix a consequence where it is the root cause will not work. Because the hardest terrain to plant life, is in a systematic mind that can nolonger experience the reality the way it is.

[@stoppersan]

Pests are us Too pestering life

[@BirdBath1]

joseph ndungu, look at bird bath

[@AL_YZ]

New Zealand has lost most of its native forests

[@BirdBath1]

Al Y, look at bird bath

[@brucefale6132]

No it hasn't.

[@lynnleigha580]

I don't know how they would know that there are no mammals inside the fence

[@beyamoth]

Baited tracking tunnels that are continuously monitored. They eat the bait and leave footprints so we can identify the species

[@BirdBath1]

Lynn Leigha, look at bird bath

[@ramusaraf5958]

एक

[@NewZealandWild]

As a nature photographer in New Zealand, I see very few native birds at all. I see more in my garden than I ever do in the forest. New Zealand seems to have fewer native species than most other temperate regions, and they are fairly plain compared to the colourful birds we see in Europe and America. We do have a few unique species though, which are very interesting.

[@sheepymcsteeple6130]

what part you live in huh our birds are beautiful mate and there are more the there have been in years

[@NewZealandWild]

@@sheepymcsteeple6130 I'm at Rapahoe, on the West Coast just north of Greymouth. Loads of Weka and Bellbird in the garden right now.

[@narendrasahu8448]

O

[@narendrasahu8448]

P ok

[@narendrasahu8448]

Ok

[@stoppersan]

Who are we to choose what life created.🤔

[@grandaddyc]

Mouse madness by BBC on KZbin.

[@BirdBath1]

Colin W, look at bird bath

[@Varinder_Singh7z]

It is not good thing to kill other animals

[@aonyx5270]

Varinder we are not animals. God gave us dominion over animals, we're supposed to be looking after his creation. Eradicating pests and invasive species is part of that.

[@Varinder_Singh7z]

@@aonyx5270 Dear, everytime mother nature keeps balance in environment but mankind unbalances nature and then also they start to put these type of brutal operations.

[@aonyx5270]

@@Varinder_Singh7z we have to undo the damage that we've done. Stoats and rats do not belong in New Zealand. If you let them live, they will kill all of the native animals.

[@sarahok6589]

@@Varinder_Singh7z i get your sentiment and i used to be like you. but these beautiful bird evolved into the land, and it was humans who brought over the predators like stoats and ship rats, now to save these birds we have to get rid of these predators otherwise these birds will die out. the birds have a lot of meaning to the maori indigenous cultures in new zealand (I am maori myself). i understand how horrific it is to be taking the lives, but it is an evil that must be done to right a wrong

[@bingonamo7520]

What about animals killing other animals?