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April 2008
Birds should fly freely…
Over the last few days I have received a number of calls from people
who had read about the big flight cage full of native birds the
museum has been talking about in the news papers.
Robyn and I both believe that birds were born to be free not held in
cages. I would like to make it very clear that any protected birds,
which are sent to the Centre and are able to fly, are released back
into the wild where they should be.
Each year we take in approximately 1300 birds and any visitor to the
Centre will see that we only have a total of 12 injured resident
birds which are unable to be released, and are used for educational
purposes. The two wood pigeons we have had for 14 years; Sparky the
kiwi, five years; Woof-Woof the talking tui eight years; the harrier
hawk which has a damaged wing, we have had for two years, and he is
used to settle other hawks and keep them company until we can
release them.
So, in response to peoples question, ‘should birds that can fly be
kept in a cage for public display?’ our answer is NO. For us, its
hard enough having to put a bird to sleep let alone hold it in
captivity as a prisoner.
Over the years the Department of Conservation, the Whangarei
District Council and the Northland Regional Council have built
walkways and tracks that allow people to see wild birds flying free
in their natural environment, which is where they should be. A good
example of this is the Bream Head area where kiwi are now calling
(at long last) after dark. By day you will see and hear kaka,
bellbirds plus many others. Contact one of the Councils or the
Department to find out where these tracks are; pile the family into
the car and head to some of these great walkways for a day of fun.
Birds should fly freely…
Last week we received a male north island kaka, which was found on a
farm south of Waipu. The farmer saw it fall to the ground; it was
his quick thinking that saved it from being attacked by other birds.
It has a sore wing but at least it’s not broken so it should only be
with us for a short time. Once ready it will be returned to the Hen
and Chicken Islands to join the rest.
And finally, when wanting to see kiwi, please visit the Museum Kiwi
House. There you will get lots of information about kiwi and you
will get to see these beautiful birds as well as the geckos. It is
well worth the visit.
Robert & Robyn Webb |
Other Issues:
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006 |
