Kiwi Fate Lies In Kids' Hands

NEWS RELEASE
17 October 2007
Kiwi Fate Lies In Kids' Hands

The kiwi population is declining rapidly and the fate of our national icon lies in the hands of the next generation of kiwis, our children.

New Zealand Kiwi Foundation convenor, Dr Greg Blunden says, "kiwi are dying at a rate of 4% each year and if this continues we have only a matter of years before the kiwi is lost."

Therefore our children must become contribute to the protection of the kiwi, so they will not be the generation who lost New Zealand's national icon.

It's a heavy burden, but the Foundation believes if a protective relationship can be established between the children and the kiwi at an early age then they will fight to keep the kiwi around.

"We need to encourage children to care for the kiwi the same way they care for the family dog," says Helen Denny of the Foundation.

Domestic pets are a big threat to the kiwi and the Foundation must rely on the public to take responsibility for their pets while visiting places where kiwi live in the wild. The Foundation wants children to understand that when they are north of Auckland they are in kiwi territory and their beloved cats and dogs must be kept inside or on a lead to protect the kiwi.

The Foundation is hosting a 'Fragile' Kiwi Representative Day at the Auckland Zoo (19 October) aimed at educating children of the 'fragile' state of our national icon. Children have been invited from Auckland and Northland schools to learn about the measures they and their families can take to protect the kiwi.

Children will be entertained by a giant kiwi as they participate in an educational competition providing great opportunities for photos. The three winners will be awarded certificates and prizes donated by the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust.

ENDS

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