New Zealand’s black Robin makes remarkable recovery from near extinction
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Conservationists in New Zealand celebrated the black robin, or karure, as “Bird of the Year” after the species rebounded from just five individuals to around 350. The karure, a small insect-eating bird native to the Chatham Islands, nearly disappeared due to habitat loss and introduced predators.
In 1980, only one breeding pair, named ‘Old Blue’ and ‘Old Yellow’, remained. New Zealand authorities and local people then began a restoration project to protect the birds and increase their numbers.
They successfully used methods like having other birds hatch karure eggs to encourage breeding. Currently, the karure remains classified as “Nationally Critical” in New Zealand, and its existing protected habitats are nearly full. Conservation groups now plan to expand the karure’s range to Pit Island, part of the Chatham Islands, by removing invasive predators and creating a suitable breeding environment. This work will also benefit other endangered birds living in the area.
This year’s “Bird of the Year” vote attracted a record 105,000 participants.
