Sooty shearwaters, known as titi or muttonbirds in New Zealand, are legally harvested by Maori under traditional rights. While the practice is managed, welfare considerations around harvest methods and sustainability are ongoing.
Harvested chicks are taken from burrows just before fledging when they are at peak weight. Traditional methods involve rapid cervical dislocation. Welfare concerns focus on ensuring kill is instantaneous and minimising disturbance to non-harvested burrows. Population decline raises questions about long-term sustainability intersecting with both conservation and welfare.