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How the world’s rarest wading bird came back from the brink
Jul 9, 2020
The kakī – the world’s rarest wading bird – is only found on New Zealand’s South Island.
In the early 1980s, just 23 remained in the wild; an intensive conservation programme means there are now 169.
Other species like the kakapo parrot, pink pigeon and golden lion tamarin are also recovering their numbers.
Yet biodiversity loss is among the top five risks facing the world, according to this year’s World Economic Forum Global Risks Report.
With its elegant black plumage and long pink legs, the kakī might not look like the hardiest of creatures. But what it endures every winter is the definition of resilience.
As temperatures drop to -20°C, other birds living in New Zealand’s Southern Alps up and leave. But the kakī, also known as the black stilt, sticks it out.
Despite this resolve, the species has found it hard to survive introduced threats. Non-native predators like ferrets and feral cats are its main problem. Habitat degradation doesn’t help.
Have you read? 5 reasons why biodiversity matters – to human health, the economy and your wellbeing Biodiversity loss puts our food supplies and medical care at risk. It must be stopped How biodiversity loss is hurting our ability to combat pandemics
By the early 1980s, there were 23 adults left in the wild, and today the kakī remains the world’s rarest wading bird. But while those numbers put it on the critically endangered list, things are looking up.
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