The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary chief executive Ru Collin says pressure on the predator proof fence is "business as usual". Nelson's Brook Sanctuary has missed out on its first kiwi population because a surge in rat numbers saw some breach the fence. Brook Waimarama Sanctuary chief executive Ru Collin said an untimely incursion of rats in September, fuelled by this year's mega mast, put paid to a planned introduction of rowi kiwi. "You can't have a sanctuary full of rats or you just don't have a sanctuary. Supplied The world's 300th rowi chick was successfully hatched at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef this year, but it will be years before the Brook sanctuary has the chance to host one.

Source: Stuff December 02, 2019 22:30 UTC