Kiwi recovery programs in New Zealand combine predator control, captive rearing, and community engagement to address population decline and improve individual welfare outcomes.
Kiwi welfare in predator-infested mainland New Zealand is chronically compromised - the slow-running, flightless, nocturnal kiwi is almost defenseless against introduced mustelids and cats. The welfare situation for individual kiwi in unmanaged habitat is one of constant predation risk and high juvenile mortality. Operation Nest Egg addresses individual welfare by removing eggs from this high-risk environment, and island sanctuaries provide genuine safe habitat where kiwi can live without predation pressure.