Towards Predator Free Taranaki project manager Toby Shanley says intensive trapping is helping native rare birds to survive in Egmont National Park

The distinctive three-toed footprint of a young North Island brown kiwi adult has been found at Pukeiti in Egmont National Park - the first indication of the rare bird in the area in 20 years.

The discovery is being called a major breakthrough for the Towards Predator - Free Taranaki (TPFT) 2050 project.

Extensive trapping and aerial 1080 operations have decimated rat and possum numbers in the park, and Kaitake and Pouakai Ranges.

STUFF Towards Predator-Free Taranaki project manager Toby Shanley

The footprint, believed to be a young adult, was spotted by a TPFT staff member, an experienced hunter familiar with kiwi sign, on a muddy track while walking through the public garden.

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Audio recordings of the kiwi calling at night would establish whether the bird is male or female, and if there are other kiwi in the gardens.

SUPPLIED A footprint of a North island brown kiwi was found in the Pukeiti Rhododendron Gardens recently. The print confirmed trapping and 1080 operations in Egmont National Park was helping control predator populations, and protect rare birdlife.

Towards Predator-Free Taranaki project manager Toby Shanley said the bird may have come from the east side of the mountain where there have been controlled releases.

In total 80 kiwi have been released in the national park in recent years, and there were estimated to be 100 mating pairs in the area.

"We know kiwi can travel long distances to find a mate and this could either one of the released birds, or offspring," Shanley said.

SUPPLIED A North Island brown kiwi similar to one whose footprints have been found at Pukeiti.

"The project team were absolutely rapt to find the footprint," he said.

Shanley said the project team were working more closely with Taranaki Regional Council, Taranaki Mounga, and the Department of Conservation on establishing kiwi in the national park with another release in early 2020.

"Without trapping the wild population declined rapidly 30 years ago to a few older birds.

"Now we are seeing the benefits of the community working together on predator control."

Other native species, such as the North Island robin, have also returned to Pukeiti for the first time in 100 years. Kereru numbers are also increasing.

Shanley said a range of tools have been used to cut rat, possum and stoat numbers on rural, urban and conservation land in North Taranaki.

"We know that native wildlife, like kiwi, are more likely to survive because of intensive predator control."