Here on Whale Island (Moutohorā), 9 kilometres offshore from the mouth of the Whakatāne River, grey-faced petrels nest in burrows on the steep hillsides. The 240-hectare island was freed of rats, cats and rabbits by the Department of Conservation in 1987. By 2000 it was estimated that the grey-faced petrel population had doubled to 95,000 pairs. Seabirds transfer a significant amount of nutrient-rich material from the ocean to land in areas where the birds flourish.
Using this item
Reference: 10041875
by J. L. Kendrick
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.