Prior to 1985 only 15 kokako nests had ever been observed; very little was known about kokako breeding or why most nests were apparently failing. Electronic technology has greatly increased our knowledge of all aspects of kokako breeding. Battery operated surveillance cameras (just like the cameras that watch over you in banks and public places!) were modified for use in field conditions. They film 12 frames per second, 24 hours per day, at night using far infra-red light - invisible to the mammalian eye. This way we have recorded all that happens at over 100 kokako nest attempts.

We have learnt much about the nesting behaviour of kokako from this work, but most importantly we have learned about the predators which, without human intervention, would drive kokako to extinction.

Take a look at these clips to get a feel for the dangers kokako face every night while on their nests. All these predators were introduced to NZ by humans. We must exercise responsibility and stop this carnage!

To view the videos, click on the thumbnail image to the left of the caption. Videos linked to the thumbnails are in the .mov format. If you don't have a quicktime viewer, you can download a version for your computer from the quicktime website. The viewer is available free for both Macintosh and Windows. The first video is also available in .avi format (click on appropriate link in caption for this version).

This video shows a rat destroying a clutch of kokako eggs. The incubating female initially tries to drive off the intruder, but is eventually chased off her nest. (288 kb .mov file) Click here to view the .avi format (2.1 MB file)

In this video, another rat drives a brooding female off the nest, then kills the three nestlings. This was the first time we'd seen a rat take such large chicks. The largest chick weighed 132g when measured a few days earlier. (312 kb .mov file)

Stoats occasionally kill adults sitting on nests at night. Female kokako are very vulnerable during the 50+ days they spend on each nest, and predation on them has led to population sex imbalances in non-managed sites. (208 kb .mov file)

Predator control often involves use of poison bait stations. This clip shows the activity at one bait station for a short period on one night. (404 kb .mov file)