Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust

The endangered Hutton’s shearwater/Kaikoura titi (Puffinus huttoni) is the only alpine breeding seabird globally. This unique seabird has experienced large population declines, and continues to be under threat. Only two breeding colonies remain (compared to eight colonies in the 1960s) in the Seaward Kaikoura Range of New Zealand's South Island. Kaikoura is therefore literally their last place on earth.

The Hutton's Shearwater Charitable Trust was formed in October 2008, taking on the role of the former Department of Conservation Hutton's Shearwater Recovery Group. The Trust promotes the conservation, research, education and sustainable management of endangered Hutton's shearwater.

Most recently the Trust successfully created an artificial insurance colony on the Kaikoura Peninsula, which involved multiple chick translocations from the mountain colonies into the predator-proof sanctuary.

The Trust currently has insufficient resources to achieve its conservation goals, and wishes it could do so much more. Operational funding through donations is therefore essential. Your donation will assist in securing populations (threat mitigation, colony management, translocations, research and education), as well as increasing public awareness and outreach (advocacy via educational resources, social media, websites, brochures and media releases).

As part of increasing awareness around Hutton's shearwater crash landings due to light disorientation, the Trust is launching a new annual month long during the peak fledging period. The first 'FLY SAFE Hutton's Shearwater' event will be held from 4 March to 3 April 2016. The event will include the Hutton's Hub (central bird drop-off and processing point for release) opening ceremony, speakers, dedicated volunteer teams to collect grounded birds, Hutton's road sign deployments, weekly Wednesday evening presentations, press and social media blitzes, school competitions, and the Farewell event with a Kaikoura Peninsula colony site visit. It is hoped to secure enough funding for a coordinator to support volunteers, establish a Hutton's Hotline, and equip the Hutton's Hub (central bird drop-off and processing point before release at sea). Your donations will help immensely!

The recent Kaikoura Earthquake has caused significant damage to both mountain colonies, with massive landslides engulfing parts of both breeding areas. An initial rapid helicopter assessment was undertaken, but conditions were still too unstable to allow anyone to land and check in more detail what has happened. Estimates range from 10 - 30% loss of area, but this may not translate to this percentage of birds. We would love to receive a little so ground crews can be flown in by helicopter and more accurately assess the extent of damage.

Thank you for your kind support, and please spread the word about us!

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