Animal Stories

The Transformative Impact of Vetafarm on Our Wildlife Restoration Efforts

At Cape Sanctuary, the partnership we’ve developed with Vetafarm over the past few years has been nothing short of transformative for our bird populations and their behaviours. In New Zealand, where habitat loss and introduced predators pose the greatest threats to our wildlife, we are committed to making a difference.

Our journey began nearly two decades ago when we implemented a 10.6 km predator-proof fence, significantly enhancing predator control within the sanctuary. This initiative has allowed us to restore habitats, retire farmland, and plant new forests, addressing the food supply shortfall and providing essential habitats for our forest-dwelling species. To date, we’ve successfully reintroduced 19 species, including the endangered North Island kākā (with an estimated 3,000 to 10,000 remaining) and the red-crowned kākāriki (approximately 10,000 left). These remarkable parrots are particularly vulnerable during nesting, often facing predation in unprotected areas.

To help these species thrive, we provide year-round supplementary feeding within the sanctuary. This carefully managed system allows them to flourish while remaining free to roam, with many kākā and kākāriki even spotted around the Hawke’s Bay region. Thanks to our supplementary feeding efforts, the source populations inside the sanctuary continue to stabilize and grow.

The Role of Our Dedicated Volunteers

Managing this feeding system is no small task. We rely on a dedicated crew of over 40 trained volunteers who trek up to the Forest Bird Feeding site daily to clean, disinfect, and prepare new feed. Hygiene is crucial, as is managing the birds’ behaviour to prevent them from becoming overly reliant on humans. Until our forest matures enough to meet all their needs, Vetafarm has stepped up, generously donating Maintenance Pellets for the kākāriki and Nectar Pellets and Wild Earth nectar for the kākā.

The difference we’ve observed since introducing these high-quality foods is remarkable. Previously, our kākāriki were fed a seed mix, which led to competitive and chaotic feeding sessions as they vied for their favourite sunflower seeds. This not only resulted in discarded food but also unhealthy competition among the birds. Now, with the Maintenance Pellets— a non-variable food source—small family groups of kākāriki visit the feeders throughout the day without the aggressive behaviour we once witnessed. The result? No seed husk mess and stunningly vibrant feathers!

Kākā: A Growing Population

Our kākā population, now around 120 individuals, has benefited greatly from Vetafarm’s products. They favour the Wild Earth Nectar first and then enjoy the nutritious Nectar Pellets throughout the day. We’re thrilled to report excellent breeding success, with all monitored offspring thriving in their nest boxes since we switched to Vetafarm. Because kākā are particularly susceptible to metabolic bone disease, providing high-quality, tailored nutrients is crucial for their health and development.

A Heartfelt Thanks

We extend our deepest gratitude to Vetafarm for their ongoing support. This partnership has made a profound difference not only for the birds in our sanctuary but for the overall success of our wildlife restoration project. Together, we are nurturing a brighter future for New Zealand’s unique wildlife, and we can’t wait to see what more we can achieve together!