A late-night walk through thick New Zealand bush has changed everything for one of the country’s rarest birds. While returning to camp, hunter Luke Hill stumbled upon a sight no one had seen in decades—a little spotted kiwi alive in the wild. That moment, caught on his phone, has sparked new hope for a bird once thought extinct on the mainland.
The Chance Encounter That Changed Everything
Luke Hill was on a routine mission in the Adams Wilderness Area, deep in the Southern Alps, helping control invasive species like tahr. Just past midnight, while moving through dense forest, he spotted something unusual behind a fallen log. Despite the wet and cold conditions, Hill reached for his phone and captured a short video of a small bird. He recognised the little spotted kiwi immediately and knew the footage was important.
That grainy clip, later shared with conservationists, proved the bird had survived on the mainland all this time. It marked the first confirmed sighting since 1978. Experts had long believed the species only lived on predator-free islands or in reserves. Hill’s video turned that belief upside down.
The Search That Followed the Footage
Soon after the footage emerged, the Department of Conservation sent ranger Iain Graham and a sniffer dog to the site. The search wasn’t easy. The weather was harsh, and the bush was thick. After several days, Graham found a female kiwi and collected feathers for DNA testing. On the final night, the team also located a male.
Both birds were fitted with transmitters, allowing conservationists to study their movements. This rediscovery has offered new insight into the survival of a bird many had given up on.
A Team Effort Fueled by Passion and Technology
Emily King, head of the Kiwi Recovery Group, called the rediscovery a major success for conservation. She praised Hill’s quick action, which gave experts the lead they needed. Even after years of searching, they had never found proof—until now.
This success story highlights how one small moment, backed by technology and teamwork, can change the course of wildlife recovery. The little spotted kiwi, thought lost to history, has been hiding in plain sight.
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