sprep-pa
The Rarotongan Fly-Catcher, locally known as the Kākerōri, has had quite the history. It was once recognised as one of the 10 rarest birds in the world with 29 individuals recorded in 1989. Rats feasting on Kārerōri nests were the number one threat to the Kākerōri.
Having identified that the Kakerōri was nearly wiped out, an annual rat baiting programme commenced in what is now known as the Takitumu Conservation Area, starting in 1989. The rat control work played a critical part in keeping the rat numbers down during Kākerōri nesting season. This provided the endemic species with a better chance of not joining a growing global list of birds becoming extinct.
