Thread: Is that a pukeko or a Takahe Oooops!

Originally Posted by Woody

Yes, I see what you mean kiwijames. however, I will reserve judgement until I know for sure NZDA hunters have admitted the killings. birds which have transmitters fitted and regularly get handled by humans get stressed and mortality is not uncommon as a result. At present the information available to us (the public) is far too vague to draw a proper conclusion.

In saying this; if it is properly established that NZDA persons DID kill those birds, then I will feel deep regrets for NZDA. But the loss of those birds is a sad thing for all NZ, regardless of cause.

If this mortality is the case, then have they or not confirmed whether the birds were shot or simply found dead? Would the noise of shotguns be enough to stress them out to a fatal extent? Autopsies? If this is the case then perhaps they will need to consider a more delicate approach to pukeko control...